Three Priorities for Solving the Energy Crisis
Generating Economic and Environmental Independence
In our blog post, We Don’t Have a Climate Crisis, We Have an Energy Crisis, we discussed how solving the energy crisis leads to economic, energy, and environmental independence.
Posts like this often suggest miraculous outcomes without specific solutions - but this plan is different. We’ve talked to people around the world - old and young, conservative and liberal, academic and working professionals, poor and rich, rural and urban, coastal and inland - and we know most people want to be part of the solution. What they don’t want are unrealistic solutions requiring immediate and dramatic lifestyle changes.
Fortunately, we can act right now to solve the energy crisis. What’s required is focus (so we know what to do), prioritization (so we acknowledge that we can’t do everything), and results (so we see what we do matters). These three priorities will improve the lives of our friends, families, and communities for generations.
1. Maximize Next-Generation Energy
In the past, we’ve relied on oil and gas to power our economies. These non-renewable energy sources will be largely depleted by 2060 and they’re becoming increasingly expensive compared to energy sources from the sun and wind that can last for millions of years. Natural gas now costs approximately $76 per megawatt hour (the amount of energy required to power your home for about a month). The cost of solar and wind continues to decline and now both cost less than natural gas - approximately $61 per megawatt hour for solar and $50 for onshore wind. The simple economic reality is that we make ourselves richer by expanding renewable energy sources as rapidly as we possibly can. The environmental impact is equally clear.*
Here’s what we can do right now: We should trust our farmers to integrate “energy farming” into their agricultural practices in initiatives like The Heartland Energy Project. This program empowers farmers to manage dual land-use systems and it has the potential to generate more electricity than the annual demand of the United States. By leveraging farmers' expertise and vast land resources, they can deliver the Next-Generation energy we all need while also delivering financial benefits to themselves and their communities.
2. Benefit from Next-Generation Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a hidden gem in our quest to solve the energy crisis. Every megawatt hour saved translates to both lower energy bills and reductions in overall energy production needs.
Here’s what we can do right now: Invest in Heat Pumps. These devices heat and cool homes and offices with about ⅓ of the energy traditional air conditioners and gas furnaces require to deliver the same level of comfort. If you’re building a new home or building, start with a heat pump. If you’re upgrading an existing home or building, switch to a heat pump. If you’re not installing a heat pump, simply encourage others to invest in heat pumps because of the immediate difference they can make.
A Quick Primer: A heat pump is a smart device that moves heat from one place to another, providing both cooling and heating for homes and offices. Unlike a traditional furnace that burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump simply transfers existing heat. In summer, it works like an air conditioner, moving heat from inside to outside to keep you cool. The clever part is that in winter, it reverses this process: it finds heat in the outside air (even when it's cold) and brings it inside to warm your space.
Heat pumps use a special fluid called a refrigerant that circulates through the system. This fluid easily absorbs and releases heat as it changes between liquid and gas states. The whole process runs on electricity and is typically much more energy-efficient than separate heating and cooling systems, using only about a quarter to a third of the energy required for traditional heating and cooling systems. This results in significant reductions in energy consumption, lower energy bills, and less strain on the electrical grid.**
3. Create the Next-Generation Infrastructure
Innovation requires investing in the next generation of solutions in order to remain competitive. Countries on the cutting edge - like China - are positioning themselves for economic acceleration while those that spend their time focused on political battles rather than economic solutions are falling behind and watching their opportunities dwindle. The future energy grid is now at the center of global competition because energy is at the core of global economic development. Winners will lead the transition from scarce and expensive energy sources of the past to cheap and abundant sources of the future.
In the United States, we’re fortunate to already have a history of success to learn from: our interstate highway system. The vision for the Interstate Highway System was to create a network of roads and bridges connecting people and communities across the nation. Legislation funding the construction was signed in 1956, and by 1992, nearly 45,000 miles of interstate highway were complete. The interstate highway system was a monumental achievement that transformed the nation, providing economic growth and connecting communities. We now have a similar opportunity with energy systems to create a more prosperous future.
What we can do right now: We’ve built great things before, and it’s time we commit to building great things again. As we did with the highway system, we need to envision a future with abundant and inexhaustible energy sources, advanced energy storage solutions, and transmission infrastructure that mirrors our interstate system with its ability to move energy from everywhere it’s generated to everywhere it’s needed.
Conclusion
We can solve the energy crisis. The only question is whether we want to do it. The solution requires a vision and strategy that includes expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and revitalizing our infrastructure.
By implementing these strategies, we can reduce costs, enhance energy security, and support sustainable economic growth. It’s the path for a new generation where those we care about most get to live with abundant, affordable, and environmentally friendly energy.
Footnotes
* The cost advantages for solar and wind do not include any subsidies, storage costs, or carbon costs of natural gas.
** In very cold climates, typically below -15°F to -20°F (-26°C to -29°C), heat pumps become less efficient and may need a backup heating source for the coldest days.
