According to Shell, 50% of the world’s energy will come from renewable sources by 2040.

50% of the world’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2040 seems like a bold claim. According to Wikipedia, the total renewable energy in 2004 only constituted 7% of the total energy produced. This percentage came from hydroelectric. Perhaps the 7% from hydroelectric can be further expanded. And within the 36 long years, we can finally build a dam in every city. However, this is absolutely improbable.

Based on an article from ecotecture.com, there are numerous problems and limitations with power dams. Naturally, their constructions face tremendous obstacles. Their reservoirs destroy natural areas, farmlands and archeological treasures. Sometimes, such constructions would mean displacing masses of people from their home. Dams are also expensive to build and their reservoirs fill up with sands and others sediments rather quickly. For most dams, 50 to 75 years is how long it takes for sediments to fill up.

With the limitations of hydroelectric, why did Shell Oil made such a bold prediction that in 2040 “50% of the world’s energy will come from renewable source”? It is because solar energy is another form of renewable energy that may eventually solve the world energy problem of non-renewable fossil fuels depletion.

How can solar energy harvest through photovoltaic cells yield enough energy to power our daily need? This is not an easy question to answer since solar energy also faces many limitations. First of all, it is not available during night and it is weak on cloudy day. Secondly, solar modules are still very expensive even with much decrease in price over the last few years. Finally, electricity storage is still limited and usually dies out in several years.

 

Nevertheless, solar energy is very promising due to its impressive growth. According to solarbuzz.com, Solar Electric demand has grown consistently by 20-50 % each year over the pass 20 years. This is due to the increase in efficiency, manufacturing technology improvements and the economical reduction of cost when produce in large quantities. For this reason, large company such as Shell has a strong interested in the development of renewable energy. At this rate, solar energy could be the main source that powers our home in the next few decades.

Sources

http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/facts-about-solar-energy.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_energy_development

http://www.ecotecture.com/library_eco/energy/hydrogen1a.html

http://www.solarbuzz.com/StatsGrowth.htm

Filed under: Solar Energy Facts