The future is going to need a lot of electrical power. That power is going to need to be generated sustainably if humanity is to live on an ever-warming planet.
These six emerging technologies are going to help us transition from the dark ages of fossil fuels to the environmentally and economically sustainable future we need to survive.
Home Solar Power Generation
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SubscribeThe mass adoption of home solar power is going to revolutionise the energy industry across the world. Even in moderate climates, like the UK, home solar can have a significant impact on the price of energy and the levels of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from generating electricity.
Home solar technology like SunPower Maxeon 3 solar panels are an excellent example of solar panels for your home, or as an addition to a new build. This high-performing and low-maintenance solar power solution can help you save money and save the planet, as well as add property value.
This technology offers homeowners an environmentally sustainable way to generate electricity which also has many economic benefits.
Long-Term Energy Storage
The demand for energy is increasing all the time, but one of the biggest challenges comes from when the energy is needed. For decades, energy demand has peaked and dipped through the day to reflect the lives of consumers.
Typical energy demands are highest in the morning when most of the country is putting their kettles on and running their showers, and in the evening when people are cooking their dinner. Solar and wind power struggle to supply this demand, as often the sun is too low in the sky or the wind too slow.
Storing energy generated over previous days with large battery packs will help renewable energy sources contribute to the power grid when we need them most. This will help bring down energy prices too.
Electric Trucks And Heavy Goods Vehicles
We are going to need more renewable and more flexible energy production to help fuel the cars, trucks, and lorries of the future.
Home deliveries are a booming market, with more and more people choosing to have their shopping delivered to them rather than seek it out on the high street. EV delivery trucks are becoming popular with the major delivery companies, and electrically powered heavy goods vehicles are already on the roads of the UK.
It is a lot more energy-efficient, and cost-effective, to power a vehicle with electricity instead of fossil fuels. The switch to EVs is going to gain pace in this decade, and commercial EVs are going to be a big part of the coming change.
Carbon Capture Technology And Carbon Storage
These two emerging technologies work together to prevent atmospheric carbon from polluting the air and condense it for storage or reprocessing. This could have a huge impact on the environment and on global temperatures as this new technology improves.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is used at the source of carbon pollution and allows a number of industries to slash their carbon footprint. There is a huge amount of research being done on ways to reprocess the carbon into a useful product, which will be the key to making this technology economically sustainable.
This advancement could be game-changing, as it will allow many vital industries to function without polluting the air or contributing to global temperature rises.
Electric Public Transportation
Trains have been powered by electricity for decades and are a highly energy-efficient and sustainable way to transport masses of people to work or on cross-country journeys.
As larger electric vehicles like trucks and EV-HGVs begin to ferry freight around, electric buses and coaches will also begin transporting people. This is going to help make mass transit environmentally sustainable while also cutting costs for consumers. Some electric buses are already operational in parts of the UK, and thousands more will be put into service throughout the 2020s. This is partly thanks to an increase in production of the required materials, such as mass transit interior thermoplastic or electric motors and batteries. After all, industries must keep up with the supply if there is a demand for it.
Private EV transport will also play a part in bringing electric transportation to the masses. Self-driving tech is helping ‘robo-taxis’ become a reality. In the near future people will be able to tap an app to summon a driverless ride that is efficient and inexpensive from anywhere, to anywhere.
Cheaper Batteries For EVs And Energy Storage
The cutting edge of battery technology suggests a cleaner and greener future for planet Earth. The limitations of battery storage are being pushed further and further by dedicated research and the use of new materials like graphene.
Large-scale energy storage is going to need highly efficient batteries that can be produced cheaply and perform reliably. New battery chemistry and designs are being developed all the time to increase energy density and efficiency to help power our future.
These technologies will be the keys that unlock the door to a future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. If we are going to enjoy our standard of living while also repairing the damage we have done to the planet and preventing even more pollution, we need this tech to succeed.
