E L E C T R I C I T Y

Electricity: The Perpetual Possibilities!

AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor@ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group ChiefExecutiveOfficer

The dream of perpetual energy provision has been chased for centuries We all dream of having an energy source like a fire to keep us warm without having to continually add fuel, (yes, I know the winter is over here in the South) but one that “feeds” itself Okay, back to reality and the actual possibilities based on current energy sources.

It is well known and accepted that our energy sources while not being truly perpetual are limited in another way by either being infinite or finite as a resource Hence, if we need energy, shouldn’t we move towards the “perpetual” sources?

Finite sources such as coal, uranium and other fossil fuels, while having the benefits of energy density, definitely do not meet the needs of perpetual energy. Why? because by their very nature these fuels will not be able to meet the needs of future generations Further, those classed as fossil fuels are also part of our issue with greenhouse gas emission feeding climate change. This is not to say they do NOT have a role but that this role should be supportive rather than mainstream.

Sustainability is possible!

This leads us now to the infinite, perpetual sources such as solar, wind etc better know as the renewables These sources have variable or technological limits but are available in abundant quantities with the added benefit that you can use all provide on a given day and more will become available in its natural cycle So, in the case of the famous solar, if its not available the next day even in limited quantities, society has a much bigger problem!

Renewables therefore meet the needs of future generations while limiting or in most cases eliminating greenhouse gas emissions leading to decarbonization in the main Society’s real challenge then is an alignment of our economic expectations with more long-term realities

Even more interestingly, is the research underway by the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft looking at how electricity to produce ATP, a biochemical energy carrier which can then be used to form energy-rich chemical compounds like starch or protein One of their teams is currently exploring how synthetic biology can be used to build complex resources from simple molecules. Using an artificial photosynthesis process developed at the Institute, they have already been able to successfully convert carbon dioxide into various valuable resources like antibiotics or biofuels

Their solution thus mimics and improves the way in which photosynthesis in plants converts carbon dioxide.

These all point to a viable future that can be met by society transitioning to a sustainable pathway through a JUST and sustainable energy transition As always, the conversation continues editor@rdjpublishing.africa and comments, queries and of course appreciation of our analysisiswelcome

EDITOR’sNOTE:

Two parts of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft article has been extracted and reproduced in full to ensure that the “message”oftheirarticleisnotdistorted

Readings: https://www mpg de/20733252/0809-terr-electricity-driving-life153410-x