Energy policy and global warming

Fig.1 World electric power consumption in 2021 was 3030 GW. This may soon double, including many coal plants in the developing world.

Fig.2 Electric power generation is only a third of our CO2 problem. A zero-carbon future should include process heat for industry and fuels for transportation.

Fig.3 Success in reducing CO2 requires abundant, clean, non-intermittent power.

Fig.4 Wind and solar alone are not enough.

Fig.5 Wind and solar as the only solution will require unrealistic commitments of land and resources and a new storage technology far less expensive than today's batteries.

(CC) Image: ThorCon
Fig.6 One GW of nuclear power can be small, safe, and clean. Recycling fuel and used reactors can be done at a central secure location.

Fig.7 Time is short, and build rate is critical to meeting our goals.

File:Low-carbon-share-energy.png

Fig.8 Few countries are now on track.

Fig.9 Decarbonizing industry will require vast amounts of process heat, either directly from a nuclear reactor, or using hydrogen as an intermediary.

Climate scientists tell us that our consumption of fossil fuels is raising atmospheric CO2 levels, causing rapid global warming, and risking catastrophic climate change. Most people now accept these conclusions, but there is still debate over whether the replacement for fossil fuels should include nuclear power. Many believe that nuclear power cannot be made safe and clean. Others believe that an energy policy that does not include nuclear is unrealistic. This article is a brief review of the options for decarbonizing our world.

The Magnitude of the Problem

Fig.1 shows our current total worldwide consumption of electric power, with each bar a different region on our planet. The height of the bar is the average per person, and the width is the population of each region, so the area of the bar is a good visualization of total consumption for a region. The developing countries are expected to increase their consumption, perhaps to the level of Europe, or half the level of North America. That will put the total worldwide average power at 6300 GW, or more than twice our current level.

Electric power is only a quarter of our CO2 problem. Decarbonizing transportation and process heat for industry will require new technology, perhaps carbon-free hydrogen. Fig.2 is one vision for the future. Abundant clean power could be used to generate a mix of electric power and hydrogen appropriate for each sector of the economy.

A Plan for the Future

Fig. 2, 3

The Problems with Wind and Solar Alone

• need for 100% fossil fuel backup - Fig.4
• use of land and mineral resources - Fig.5, 6

The Need for Immediate Action

Fig.7, 8

Further Reading

Electrifying Our World Robert Hargraves' excellent overview of energy, the growth human civilization, and possible solutions to the current climate crisis.
Our World in Data has a section on Energy and Environment with nice interactive graphics.
World Nuclear Information Library a well-organized authoritative collection of information on nuclear power.