User:Jellyfish343/sandbox Energy Transition



Energy transition is a phrase that generally refers to significant structural change in an energy system. Historically, these changes have been driven by the demand for and availability of different fuels. The current energy transition differs as it is largely driven by a recognition that global carbon emissions must be brought to zero, and since fossil fuels are the largest single source of carbon emissions, we must change energy systems worldwide to replace fossil fuels with lower carbon sources. While historical energy transitions were generally protracted affairs, unfolding over many decades, this does not necessarily hold true for the present energy transition, which is unfolding under very different policy and technological conditions. Germany has played a leading role in the contemporary transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear power to renewables. The energy transition in Germany is known as die Energiewende (literally, "the energy turn" indicating a turn away from old fuels and technologies to new one).

The contemporary energy transition has many facets. It refers to transitioning electricity generation from fossil fuels to renewables or other low-carbon sources. It also refers to the electrification of the entire energy sector. This means replacing thermal fuels such as fossil fuels, wood, peat, dung, or charcoal to low-carbon electricity or "green hydrogen" (hydrogen produced with low or zero carbon emissions). One of the most important aspects is the replacement of gasoline and diesel-powered cars, trucks, planes, and ships with batteries, fuel cells, or hydrogen. Beyond this focus on fuels and energy technologies, the energy transition also includes changes in where electricity is generated, who owns the means that generate electricity, tax incentives and subsidies provided in the energy system, financing mechanisms for energy system investments, regulation and oversight, and control over the timing of electricity consumption (demand side management).

One of the challenging questions about the contemporary energy transition is the distinction between renewable energy and "clean energy" where "clean energy" includes low-carbon, non-renewable sources such as nuclear fission.

Notes to self
Include a section on challenges to the transition

Propose a Wikipedia page on green hydrogen

This material seems like it belongs on the Energy Systems page
The layout of the world’s energy systems has changed significantly over time. Until the 1950s, the economic mechanism behind energy systems was local rather than global. As development progressed, different national systems became more and more integrated becoming the large, international systems seen today. Historical transition rates of energy systems have been extensively studied.

This material about the climate crisis seems unnecessary here, but we could use the last 2 sentences
Solving the global warming problem is regarded as the most important challenge facing humankind in the 21st century. The capacity of the earth system to absorb greenhouse gas emissions is already exhausted, and under the Paris climate agreement, emissions must cease by 2040 or 2050. Barring a breakthrough in carbon sequestration technologies, this requires an energy transition away from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, lignite, and coal. This energy transition is also known as the decarbonization of the energy system or "energy turnaround". Available technologies are nuclear power (fission) and the renewable energy sources wind, hydropower, solar power, geothermal, and marine energy.

This material could go in a section about challenges the energy transition faces, or in a page on DSM
A timely implementation of the energy transition requires multiple approaches in parallel. Energy conservation and improvements in energy efficiency thus play a major role. Smart electric meters can schedule electricity consumption for times when electricity is abundant, reducing consumption at times when the more variable renewable energy sources are scarce (night time and lack of wind).

I propose to eliminate all this text
Despite the widespread understanding that a transition to renewable energy is necessary, there are a number of risks and barriers to making renewable energy more appealing than conventional energy. Renewable energy rarely comes up as a solution beyond combating climate change, but has wider implications for food security and employment. This further supports the recognized dearth of research for clean energy innovations, which may lead to quicker transitions. Overall, the transition to renewable energy requires a shift among governments, business, and the public. Altering public bias may mitigate the risk of subsequent administrations de-transitioning - through perhaps public awareness campaigns or carbon levies.

A subsection could report on present-day projections, but these are so quickly outdated
After a transitional period, renewable energy production is expected to make up most of the world's energy production. The risk management firm, DNV GL, forecasts that, by 2050, the world's primary energy mix will be split equally between fossil and non-fossil sources. A 2011 projection by the International Energy Agency expects solar PV to supply more than half of the world's electricity by 2060, dramatically reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases.

I would recommend putting this in page on the [Energiewende]
An example of transition toward sustainable energy, is the shift by Germany (Energiewende) and Switzerland, to decentralised renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Although so far these shifts have been replacing nuclear energy, their declared goal 2012 was the abolishment of coal, reducing non-renewable energy sources and the creation of an energy system based on 60% renewable energy by 2050. As of 2018, the 2030 coalition goals are to achieve 65% renewables in electricity production until 2030 in Germany.