Comments on: The future of renewable energy

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 15:54:16 +0000

This video from Cambridge is a great, easy to understand summary of the issues and the opportunities. Unfortunately public debate and press interest has polarised into those who just want to ignore the issue (or deny it exists) and those who want to push a particular technical solution. The right way forward will be a balance of solutions. Electrical generation needs to be de-carbonised, transport will probably need to be electrified and renewable heat options developed. In addition the cutting and burning of carbon sinks ie forests and the pollution of the oceans needs to be stopped ASAP so plants can continue to soak up and “recycle” CO2. Even if we become more efficient users or energy electrical usage is likely to continue to rise so 100% renewable will be very difficult to achieve – I believe a balance of 33% renewal, 33% nuclear and 33% gas with CCS would be a sensible target. There is no place for coal in my view.
But we need to hurry up as the longer we leave it the more expensive it will become! I have found a book called 2052 by Prof Jorgen Randers to be very useful in understanding how the world will change in the next 40 years – have a look at it.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 15:11:56 +0000

I very much enjoyed your video, and I agree that all the renewable energy sources should be thoroughly explored and used, depending on the locations and circumstances so that we can phase out or at least very much decrease our use on fossil fuels. However, while this is necessary, I feel that the main cause of global warming, and one that no-one ever mentions, is population increase, and until someone brave focusses on that the dangers facing us will probably continue.

By: Eric Attias

Eric Attias — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 18:39:31 +0000

Hi Judy & Laura,

I agree with you both. Renewable energy will probably improve and be more economical in the future, but it’s still won’t answer all of the world increasing demand for energy, unless the way we utilize energy will fundamentally change. I also think that nuclear power is the most cost effective and clean way to produce energy that we currently have. Focusing on the Fukushima disaster as an example for the “merits” of nuclear power is probably biased and wrong. We can take example from countries like France that 75% of its annual energy comes from nuclear power plants, or Germany with about 20%. When nuclear power plants are well maintained and evidently aren’t situated in tectonically active zones, they are safe and efficient energy suppliers, at least to my view.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 13:45:23 +0000

I agree with the previous sentiments. In order to really make a change reguarding the choices we use to provide and generate energy. It would be almost impossible to only exist using renewable forms of energy unless the way people use energy is changed also.

By: Judy Hemingway

Judy Hemingway — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 22:14:54 +0000

Forgot to mention in my posting above that the contribution on changing demand (re-using steel girders, making things last longer etc.) did go some way to challenging an otherwise two-sided argument. However, in many less affluent countries these things are already done.

Attitude change is important, though. Not so long ago, I saw posters in the London Underground promoting 5-a-year holidays (instead of 5-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables). Challenging such levels of consumerism would impact on energy consumption.

By: Judy Hemingway

Judy Hemingway — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 21:33:10 +0000

Renewable energy video: Yes, renewables undoubtedly have their place in future energy supply as do the other variables mentioned (better and new technologies, changing demand etc). The video, however, only presented a well-rehearsed binary argument (fossil fuels bad, renewables good) and captured only one extremely brief comment on nuclear power.

I know that Week 2 of the MOOC has stimulated discussion surrounding the negative effects of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster which was caused by an earthquake and associated tsumani, but I think the positive aspects of nuclear power shouldn’t be as underplayed as they were in this video. On the other hand, perhaps they’ve not picked up any research funding for investigations into nuclear power at Cambridge University.