| Forget about gasoline, cars and depletion of | | | | harness this source in a cost-effective way may |
| carbon based energy sources. We have electric | | | | very well be the long-term solution for fueling our |
| cars already. We're not running out of oil any time | | | | 50 thousand flights per days as well as all our |
| soon, right? So why should we worry? Gas prices | | | | future energy needs. Focus, commitment and |
| are back down again and we all know everything | | | | investment in basic research will be the key to |
| always returns to normal. | | | | getting there. |
| But I wonder how we will operate more than 50 | | | | But until we have viable alternatives, renewable |
| thousand daily commercial flights the day we | | | | energy sources have to be part of the solution |
| eventually run out of oil? Electric planes? Because | | | | for our energy needs. Hydro, wind and solar are |
| that day will arrive sooner or later. So most of us | | | | the major renewable sources today. The former |
| are worried and for different reasons. Some | | | | has been with us for a while and continues to be |
| believe global warming and carbon emissions will | | | | a fantastic, clean source of energy but availability |
| be the catalyst that will end all life on our planet. If | | | | is unfortunately severely limited. Wind is an |
| you've heard Jeremy Rifkin speak on this issue, | | | | excellent renewable energy option but has a |
| you're probably walking around scared to death, | | | | fundamental cost limitation that makes this source |
| thinking it is already too late and that our planet is | | | | an inadequate long-term alternative. |
| doomed. Others are more concerned with | | | | Solar energy is abundant but far too costly today. |
| self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on | | | | Most of the installed solar power in the world is in |
| foreign oil. And many simply want cheaper and | | | | Spain and Germany, a direct result of |
| cleaner energy sources. | | | | government incentives and programs. The |
| People have different opinions and concerns - | | | | extraordinary characteristic of solar energy - this |
| some more intense and emotional than others - | | | | may not be clear to most people - is that there is |
| but most of us believe that we need to develop | | | | a clear way to drive the fundamental cost down |
| a long-term policy and find a solution to this | | | | and eventually make this power source cheaper |
| planet's growing energy needs and challenges. I | | | | than the electricity you and I buy today. And it is |
| agree. | | | | clean, renewable and we don't need to import it. |
| In a prior article I wrote about what this planet will | | | | Sounds pretty good, but can we really reduce the |
| be like 100 years from now. It is not that far | | | | cost that dramatically? |
| away - just ask some of the centenarians that | | | | Yes, and here is why. The cumulative effect of |
| are still with us. Let us narrow down this | | | | accelerating technology advances, manufacturing |
| fascinating question and ask: what will our primary | | | | efficiencies, rapidly increasing volumes, which will |
| sources of energy be in the year 2109? Today | | | | advance us quickly down the learning curve, will |
| the majority of our electricity comes from coal. | | | | eventually drive down the cost per watt to a |
| Anything that moves uses for the most part fuel | | | | fraction of what it is today. The payback period |
| from oil derivatives. Coal and oil. Both dirty, carbon | | | | today for converting your house to solar is 8-10 |
| based and steadily being depleted. The ethanol | | | | years, far too expensive for the average |
| alternative is so feeble and without merit that I | | | | consumer. A few years from now it could easily |
| will not discuss it. I doubt, in fact I'm quite certain, | | | | be 2-3 years. Maybe central solar plants will |
| that none of these energy sources will make it to | | | | become the primary solution and not individual |
| the top of the list a century from now. | | | | solar installations. Or more likely a hybrid model. |
| Nuclear is an interesting alternative but politically | | | | Regardless of how solar power is ultimately |
| handicapped given the checkered past and the | | | | implemented, the potential cost equation and |
| perceived danger of uranium and radiation, which | | | | benefits remain outstanding. But the only way to |
| have been further amplified by its nasty | | | | get the cost down to acceptable levels is to ramp |
| association with nuclear accidents, waste, wars, | | | | up the volume through massive installations |
| bombs, movies and a plethora of books on the | | | | worldwide! |
| subject. Nevertheless, there has been tremendous | | | | This solar opportunity is available on a silver |
| advancement in nuclear power plant technology, | | | | platter to Obama and to the rest of the world |
| and it is a clean, abundant and very cheap source | | | | leaders that are located in the warmer regions |
| of energy. But the stigma and political challenges, | | | | where solar power is best suited. This is a timely |
| especially in this country, remain formidable, and I | | | | and once-in-a-lifetime chance to make an |
| do not expect it'll be a real alternative any time | | | | unprecedented disruptive contribution to the global |
| soon. However, other countries around the world, | | | | energy situation, while at the same time initiate |
| including the Middle East, are making bets on | | | | major public works projects that will contribute to |
| nuclear power plants and are investing heavily in | | | | an economy recovery. Why not pursue this |
| this area. | | | | instead of injecting hundreds of billions of dollars |
| Basic research in alternative energy sources | | | | into businesses that are fundamentally broken? |
| should take a higher priority in public and private | | | | The short-term and long-term payback for the |
| institutions worldwide. I'm positive that such | | | | planet will be immeasurable. Embarking on this |
| efforts will ultimately produce results that we | | | | path today could very well make the difference |
| today never could imagine would be possible. | | | | to the quality of life for our great-grandkids 100 |
| Hydrogen is an abundant resource with massive | | | | years from now. |
| amounts of latent energy. Being able to safely | | | | |