As the world transitions away from dirty fossil fuels towards cleaner alternatives, solar and wind have led the charge in renewable power generation. Nonetheless, the experts at Commonwealth say that while crucial, these two sources alone likely will not meet our future energy needs. That’s why scientists and engineers are exploring many other innovative-edge renewable technologies waiting to be tapped.
Harnessing the Tides
Tidal power converts the perpetual rising and falling of ocean tides into electricity using sturdy underwater turbines. While still limited, tidal power plants are already operating in places like Scotland, France, and Canada. Unlike wind or solar, tidal energy is predictable and consistent. If scaled up through more facilities in optimal coastal regions, it could become a major renewable contributor.
Geothermal Potential
Just under the Earth’s surface lies an intense reservoir of heat energy from the planet’s molten core and mantle. We already tap into this geothermal power to heat buildings and generate electricity in places like Iceland and California. Enhanced drilling methods reaching deeper underground could vastly expand geothermal production if we overcome environmental concerns like fracking-related earthquakes.
The Power of Waves
Oceans cover over 70% of our planet, and every coastline experiences constant powerful waves. Emerging wave energy converters use a variety of mechanisms to harness that kinetic force into electrical current. While early days, this technology shows great potential if we can design reliable, cost-effective systems to withstand harsh marine conditions.
Unleashing Bioenergy
We already produce some energy by burning recently living organic matter like wood, crop waste or landfill trash. But next-generation bioenergy takes this a step further, using advanced processes to convert those materials into liquid biofuels or gases that can generate renewable electricity. With abundant feedstocks, efficient production could be a clean energy game-changer.
Nuclear Reimagined
While conventional nuclear fission reactors pose major safety and radioactive waste issues, new forms of nuclear power are emerging. Small modular reactors, fusion reactors, and reactors running on spent fuel or thorium all promise safer, cleaner, more sustainable nuclear energy if the complex science can be fully realized.
The Future of Hydrogen
Currently used mostly in industrial processes and some vehicle fuel cells, hydrogen gas could become a vital renewable energy storage solution. Electrolysis using solar or wind power can extract hydrogen from water, which then allows generating electricity on demand in hydrogen fuel cells with only water vapor as emission. The missing link is cost-effective production at scale.
Unlocking Energy from Gravity
Perhaps the most unique renewable idea proposes converting energy from gravitational and planetary motion forces using eccentric masses, pendulums, or other mechanisms. While the physics principles are sound, scientists are still working to develop practical systems to efficiently harness these constant if subtle forces in usable ways for productive energy generation.
Space-Based Power Plants
While still solidly in the realm of science fiction for now, some ambitious concepts envision building enormous solar arrays or orbiting generators in space that would wirelessly transmit renewable energy down to receiving stations on Earth’s surface. If humanity overcomes the enormous technical challenges and astronomical costs, such space power could theoretically meet all our energy demands.
Environmental Impacts
Of course, any breakthrough in renewable technology must still pass rigorous environmental impact assessments. While vastly preferable to polluting fossil fuels, some processes like bioenergy and geothermal drilling may produce emissions or disrupt ecosystems. Careful planning to minimize negative effects will be crucial.
Conclusion
Surging renewable energy growth is vital to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainable societies. Despite increasing solar and wind deployments, we will need a diverse portfolio of other renewable sources contributing to power grids worldwide to meet soaring electricity demands. Continued innovation is key to unlocking that important frontier.
