Can renewable energy replace fossil fuels Quora?

Fossil fuels are renewable

“We have a global energy supply system that relies heavily on fossil fuels; replacing them with new arrangements based on renewables is a task that will necessarily occupy us for generations to come.” The scientist and professor emeritus of the University of Manitoba, Vaclav Smil, made this statement in Madrid, in the second session of the ‘talkson’ cycle of conferences of the Naturgy Foundation.

For Smil, the main global challenges are to “reduce the use of coal in the short term, increase the use of natural gas, reduce energy intensity and increase efficiency”. And he mentioned another of the energy goals in this more long-term transition: “to displace the fossil carbon used in the pillars of our civilization: the production of primary iron, cement, ammonia and plastics. We have no large-scale alternatives that can be deployed immediately”.

Also an advocate of renewable energies, he also called for an exercise in realism in implementation forecasts. The scientist explained that there are major differences between regions and countries, and that is why one cannot bet only on renewables, because there are places where there is no sun or wind for long periods of time. “Not all places are ideal for renewable energies, so it is important to bear in mind that this is where natural gas has a role to play,” he said.

Replacing fossil fuels is possible

Renewables provide 13% of our needs, but until we reach 100%, we need green energies that are affordable and accessible. Is it possible to replace fossil fuels with an existence based on renewable energies?

In this respect, clean energies complement, so far, the production of thermal power plants but have the advantage that this energy can be stored and transported more easily. An electricity grid connected all over the world would allow us to transport it from where it is generated to where it is needed.

The key will be storage systems and the support of combined cycles of other energies such as gas, which will support the full development of renewables. Digitalization plays a key role in the operation of these processes.

The transition is a complex problem in which technology, economics and politics must be brought together. Many governments and companies are already investing in harnessing energy from the sun, water or wind, which will change the entire energy model by 2040.

Fossil fuels disadvantages

Alternative energies are a fundamental ally in the fight against pollution and climate change. Therefore, from Gana Energía we do our bit by explaining what alternative energies are and marketing 100% green electricity.

In this article we will review the definition of renewable energy, the types of polluting and clean energy, as well as you will have the opportunity to know the advantages and disadvantages of alternative energies. Undoubtedly, an excellent post to know what alternative energies exist.

If you want to know what alternative energies are, also known as renewable energies, you will like to know that they are those that come from inexhaustible sources and that, therefore, respect the environment. Simple, isn’t it?

These alternative sources of energy are born as opposed to nuclear energy and also to all those that emit polluting gases or require fossil fuels for their creation.

And now that you know what renewable or alternative energies are, we are going to give you some examples of alternative energies and non-alternative energies so that you are even clearer about the concept and know what alternative energies exist in the market.

Renewable energy

Consider the recent progress that Mexico has made. The country has made a concerted effort to move toward ambitious climate change goals and to generate competition in the electric power sector, which had previously precluded private investment in power generation.

Mexico’s energy reform began with a climate change law in 2012 that committed the country to obtain 35% of its power generation from renewable sources by 2024. It gained momentum with the Electricity Industry Law, signed in August 2014, which dismantled the monopoly held by the state-owned Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and allowed independent companies to generate and sell power in a wholesale market, attracting foreign investment and expertise, and generating real competition.

Another innovation was the rules to create a market for clean energy certificates and the corresponding regulations for the largest industry players to obtain at least 5% of their energy from clean sources by 2018. These certificates, which are awarded to clean energy producers, can be sold to fossil fuel-dependent energy producers and large energy consumers, who would otherwise be fined if they fail to meet clean energy targets.