Can alternate energy power Europe by 2050?

[Young21]

Yes says a study conducted by the Germany Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation & Nuclear Safety. According to reports published by them the right combination of the locally available renewable energy resources, along with imports of solar energy from Middle East & North Africa, will be able to power Europe by 2050.

The studies conducted by ‘Trans- Mediterranean Interconnection for Concentrating Solar Power’ analyzed almost 30 European countries, and could find a connection between the electric grids of Europe, Middle East & North Africa.

The study report says that a right combination of renewable energy resources, along with the support of fossil fuels, will be able to provide electricity for Europe by 2050.

On-going researches are bringing out similar solutions to defend global warming and climatic changes that affect humanity. Many energy research firms are conducting studies on renewable energy options to replace fossil fuels. Energy research is often related to the development and proper exploitation of both traditional and newly found energy resources. It also includes energy conservation and management.

The energy research companies closely follow energy market trends and world energy needs to find out solutions to solve world’s energy problems. One among such energy research companies is World Energy Research, based in New Zealand. Such firms focus their attention on the major issues arising in energy resource usage, and utilize their research to find out better energy resources. So let’s hope that the ongoing researches would bring similar solutions to solve the energy problems of other areas too.

[JLEE]

Well, wind energy would be a great place to start. Then why are we constantly aggravated by commercials pushing the natural gas agenda? What a bunch of bull. Anything to create more money for the the already rich. Just saying...

[Abyssal_Worm]

Awesome, a study says it is possible. Now make it happen. That's the hard part.

[JLEE]

Agreed! Will we ever see it happen to the degree in which it's really needed? Good Lord, I hope so! I'm willing to help. I'm a laborer. I will do my part US. Give me the chance. MMMM. Clean air. That would be awesome to say the least.

[Yobihome]

The answer is a definitive YES. In 2050 or 2100 Europe will indeed be powered by "alternative" sources. As primary sources are exhausted or priced out of range, there will simply be no other choice.

The real question is "Powered at what level of current?" Fifty percent? Five percent? The problem is that "alternatives" don't scale up easily to current consumption levels.

[Cartesiantheater]

It can and will be done (by necessity). However, lifestyles will have to change. With things like petroleum, a lot of the work to access the energy is already done by nature (that's why we can easily light petroleum derivatives on fire (relatively speaking)). Not the case with many other energy sources we use.

Solar, wind, nuclear etc, will definitely work. But people will have to live with things like public transport being a bigger part of their lives, etc.

[MaximumPain]

It's only a matter of time before we use mostly renewable energy and I do think Europe will do it before America does. Of course the fossil fuel producers will fight tooth and nail to maintain their profits all the way to the bitter end. Its just to much money to let slide.

[Ningishiddza]

It's only a matter of time before we use mostly renewable energy and I do think Europe will do it before America does. Of course the fossil fuel producers will fight tooth and nail to maintain their profits all the way to the bitter end. Its just to much money to let slide.

And that will do what exactly?

Nothing.

Less than 3% of the electricity in the US is generated by oil. Of that, 100% is in Hawaii. Hawaii does not import its oil for electrical generation, it uses California Heavy and Prudhoe Bay Heavy.

Using alternative energy will not reduce US consumption of foreign imported oil. In fact, it will increase consumption, in order to manufacture the materials and parts.

There are many countries that use oil to generate electricity, but they all use heavy oil, which generally sells $30-$50 less per barrel than intermediate and light oils.

You can look and see when intermediate and light oils were selling for $125/barrel, Canadian heavy oil was selling for $60-$90/barrel.

Switching to alternative energy might make people feel good, but that's about it.

A lot of European countries generate electricity with natural gas, so using alternative energy might reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas, but nothing more.

[MaximumPain]

And that will do what exactly?

Nothing.

Less than 3% of the electricity in the US is generated by oil. Of that, 100% is in Hawaii. Hawaii does not import its oil for electrical generation, it uses California Heavy and Prudhoe Bay Heavy.

Using alternative energy will not reduce US consumption of foreign imported oil. In fact, it will increase consumption, in order to manufacture the materials and parts.

There are many countries that use oil to generate electricity, but they all use heavy oil, which generally sells $30-$50 less per barrel than intermediate and light oils.

You can look and see when intermediate and light oils were selling for $125/barrel, Canadian heavy oil was selling for $60-$90/barrel.

Switching to alternative energy might make people feel good, but that's about it.

A lot of European countries generate electricity with natural gas, so using alternative energy might reduce their dependence on Russian natural gas, but nothing more.

Coal is also a fossil fuel but I'm sure you knew that and just wanted to look smart.

Cars can and will change to run on electricity as will those trains that don't already. That will require more electrical generation. I understand that we don't burn oil for electricity nearly as much as we do for transportation. I also understand that energy is required for both. People will just need to get used to taking the train instead of the wasteful freedom that the automobile provides.

[Ningishiddza]

Coal is also a fossil fuel but I'm sure you knew that and just wanted to look smart.

Yes, but you don't use coal to drive, and you don't put coal in your food and beverages. And you don't import coal. And filters can reduce CO2 emissions.

Cars can and will change to run on electricity as will those trains that don't already. That will require more electrical generation. I understand that we don't burn oil for electricity nearly as much as we do for transportation. I also understand that energy is required for both. People will just need to get used to taking the train instead of the wasteful freedom that the automobile provides.

US 2009 hybrid car sales figures totalled 292528 units. The number represents a 6.6 per cent decrease on the 2008 figure of 313486 units.

Some people might attribute that to the economy, but sales have steadily dropped since 2004.

Short of a federal law banning gasoline-driven engines for automobiles, you're not going to see electric cars taking over the highways anytime soon.

[MaximumPain]

Yes, but you don't use coal to drive,

Not yet but if we go to electric cars some of them will be indirectly powered by coal.

and you don't put coal in your food and beverages.

No but I dont really want oil in them either.

And you don't import coal.

True

And filters can reduce CO2 emissions.

Only one of the many problems with coal.
Some of the environmental issues from mining the stuff could be more of a problem then the actual emissions.

US 2009 hybrid car sales figures totalled 292528 units. The number represents a 6.6 per cent decrease on the 2008 figure of 313486 units.

Some people might attribute that to the economy, but sales have steadily dropped since 2004.

Short of a federal law banning gasoline-driven engines for automobiles, you're not going to see electric cars taking over the highways anytime soon.

40 years from now is not soon. You and I will probably be dead by then or suffering and wishing for death. If gas becomes 10$ a gallon you will see electric cars in a hurry.

[Yobihome]

I don't share the optimism of some in this thread.

It is certain that alternative sources will indeed become primary sources out of necessity. But cheap energy resides as the foundation of an inverted pyramid of economic and social complexity. And while lifestyle change is equally inevitable, it implies some form of social disruption (ie simplification) while the population continues to grow. The unemployed, the "energyless" will be legion and the situation will be no more sustainable than the current.

In other threads we've talked about the likelihood of "collapse." We might reasonably peg the short term probability of widespread system failure as low. But the 21st Century? I think it high. Food, energy and population - the intertwined triumvirate in charge.

Somewhat related:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...topnews&sub=AR