A solution to be put forward during the conference is the development of an energy 'module' comprising a variety of technologies and capable of producing 10 gigawatts of power (equal to roughly 10 large power plants).
Credit: iStockPhoto
WATERLOO: Experts have gathered in Canada this week to tackle the problem of global electricity generation using low-carbon technologies, and to discuss solutions to the difficulties in transitioning to a carbon-free electricity economy.
The Equinox Summit: Energy 2030 intends to promote candid discussion among scientists, future leaders and policy experts about emerging technologies and how they will help meet future global energy demand.
"We've reached a policy paralysis around climate change," said Jatin Nathwani, director of the Institute of Sustainable Energy at the University of Waterloo, and science advisor for the summit. "We need to identify the role of science and technology in addressing energy needs and create a path towards fruitful discussion."
Credible scientific solutions
During three days of closed-door sessions, from June 5 to 9, a quorum of 10 scientists with expertise in electricity generation, distribution and storage will present the merits of a variety of technologies - from solar and wind to novel approaches to nuclear power - and the roadblocks they face.
A forum of emerging leaders will make recommendations together with an advisory group composed of policy experts, entrepreneurs and investors. All the discussions operate under Chatham House rules, which do not permit the speaker to be identified.
Nathwani says the summit aims to identify credible scientific and technological solutions that are "anchored in reality and flexible". One approach could be to develop an energy 'module' comprising a variety of technologies and capable of producing 10 gigawatts of power (equal to roughly 10 large power plants).
These modules could then be cloned and strung together to scale up for larger cities or energy-intensive applications. Rather than looking for a single energy solution, the summit participants are attempting to find ways to integrate emerging technologies into existing energy production and orchestrate the transition to low-carbon electricity.
Transition 50 to 70 years off
The world currently consumes about 16.5 terawatts (16.5 trillion watts) of energy annually. The global population is expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, likely doubling or tripling energy consumption.
In order to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide levels below 450 ppm - the generally accepted ceiling to avoid the most serious effects of global warming - more than 50% of global energy must come from low-carbon or non-fossil fuel energy, said Nathwani. Today, low-carbon technologies produce 2.5 terawatts of energy, by 2050 they would need to contribute more than 15 terawatts globally.
Although the transition to a low-carbon electricity economy may be 50 to 70 years off, the summit communiqué will chart the route to encourage technology development over the next 20 years.
The first day of the summit brought about discussions on the potential of solar and wind energy, large-scale geothermal projects, hydrogen fuel and thorium-fuelled reactors, which produce less hazardous waste and are safer than uranium reactors, to replace the current reliance on fossil fuels for electricity production.
The group will release on Thursday a communiqué that previews the proposals and technologies that could lead to a carbon-free energy economy, and will follow-up with a more in-depth document in several months.
Carbon-free Electric Economy
Congratulations to the Canadians for including Thorium as part of the multi-prong approach to the future of carbon-free electric power. In my opinion, it is the only prong that has sufficient energy density to come near satisfying the ever-growing need for power of our ever-growing world population.
Your article does not reveal which type plant the Canadians are referring to when they mention Thorium. Although Thorium is about four times more abundant than Uranium, does not need expensive enrichment to be fissile, and is more than 99% consumed in contrast to uranium's mere 4%, so that its longterm waste is measured in pounds rather than tons, those benefits refer to the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor and I don't think using Thorium as a solid fuel, like uranium is used, has those advantages.
The Thorium Molten Salt Reactor is the future of energy. By itself, it can provide all the clean, safe, abundant and cheap electric power a world hungry for power and improved lives can use. Please educate yourself. Go to ThoriumEnergyAlliance.com and EnergyFromThorium.com and IThEO.org, the website of the International Thorium Energy Organization.
You will be amazed at what you will learn.
Robert Orr Jr
Franklin TN
ThoriumSilverBullet@gmail.com