Eco Solutions for Europe
Recently one of the biggest informational platforms Bloomberg has released its article called “Yesterday’s Energy Solutions Are Tomorrow’s Energy Problems”. This is an overview of renewable energy sources that could save the world from rising energy bills after such a “painful” step towards peace for Ukraine as implementing an embargo on Moscow’s gas and oil in order not to support war and, what is more, Putin's regime. Needless to say, Moscow’s gas has been exported to different countries and kept many citizens’ bills not to be too high, as it was cheap and comparatively affordable.
As the war in Ukraine was started by Moscow, many countries have started to think of substitutions for gas and oil: the cheaper – the better. The solution hides in renewable sources of energy and, as Bloomberg highlights, “Today’s dominant trend will require future planners and investors to anticipate new challenges before they become systemic problems”. Not long after these MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) demanded more harsh measures, including "an immediate comprehensive ban on Moscow’s imports of oil, coal, nuclear fuel, and gas," in a resolution passed with 513 votes to 22 and 19 abstentions on Thursday, April 7th, 2022. This should be accompanied by a strategy to ensure the EU's energy supply security, as well as a strategy to "roll back sanctions if Moscow takes steps to restore Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and completely removes its troops from Ukraine's territory."
Recently green energy, with its low environmental effect provided a viable alternative to nonrenewable energy and aids in the battle against global warming by avoiding the production of greenhouse gases and the increase in carbon emissions. Nowadays, its benefits also include the way to have a source of energy without using “cruel gas”. Based on that, leaders of many countries have decided to step up and concentrate on renewable sources. Some European politicians believe Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is an opportunity to speed up the shift to renewable energy sources, including nuclear power facilities. Germany wants to accelerate the development of solar energy as well as onshore and offshore wind installations. Germany's dependency on Moscow’s fossil resources may be reduced by expanding renewable energy, according to Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a major member of the Greens party.
Nuclear power is also an environmentally friendly option. Nuclear power generation increased by 6% in 2021 compared to 2020, and it has been Europe's greatest contribution to energy generation since 2014. The current issue is that many nuclear power reactors have reached the end of their life cycles and rebuilding them is prohibitively expensive. Their service life is estimated to be roughly 40 years.
Imports of clean hydrogen-based fuels are also anticipated to have a role. Some argue, however, that if Europe follows a specific hydrogen strategy, it will be harmed by Moscow’s energy dependency for decades longer. Moscow is ramping up its hydrogen ambitions, according to Dr. Max Lacey-Barnacle, Research Fellow in Just Transitions at the University of Sussex Business School's Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU). "Moscow is seeking 20% of the worldwide market share of hydrogen by 2030, with $127 million in investment over the next three years, and plans to become a world-leading producer and exporter of hydrogen energy," he continues. Australia, on the other hand, is a prospective hydrogen provider. South Australia's world-class renewable energy resources, according to new research, will offer it a competitive advantage in the battle to provide clean hydrogen to Europe via the port of Rotterdam.
"If we genuinely want to avoid making Putin extremely rich in the long run, we need to invest in renewables and we need to do it soon," said Frans Timmermans, the European Commission's vice-president, in January of 2022. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen agreed, saying in a statement, "We must become self-sufficient in terms of oil, coal, and gas from Moscow. We simply cannot rely on a supplier that threatens us directly."
In terms of renewable energy, the European Commission wants to see more solar panels and heat pumps installed. In June of 2022, it aims to present a statement on maximizing solar energy's potential as a significant renewable energy source, and in May, it will issue a recommendation on renewable energy quick permitting. Europe's solar and wind capacity would triple by 2025 and quadruple by 2030 under the 'Fit for 55' package of climate laws proposed in July, reducing yearly gas consumption by 170 billion cubic meters by the end of the decade. Accelerating the deployment of rooftop solar might save an extra 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas.
As a follow-up, there is a need to mention multiple benefits of using renewable sources of energy:
- There will never be a shortage of alternative energy sources.
The first and most obvious advantage of adopting renewable energy is that it is, well, renewable. It means that it will not run out. Never. While fossil fuels will be depleted in 40-60 years, the sun will always (we hope) shine, the wind will blow, and geothermal energy will exist. We will face far more serious issues than simply running out of energy if we do not. And while we're on the subject of our world, we should also add the second benefit: renewable energy's environmental advantages.
- It is environmentally friendly.
What is the significance of renewable energy? Because we only have one planet on which to exist for now, we must do everything we can to safeguard it. Greenhouse gases and pollution are produced by fossil fuels. Greater hazardous gases result from the use of fossil fuels, which means more respiratory and heart health problems... as well as global warming. Going green is healthy for us and good for the environment, so renewable energy's health and environmental advantages are indisputable.
- Saving money.
Renewable energy is beneficial not just to the environment, but also to the wallets. For starters, renewable energy plants require less upkeep. Second, they do not require refueling since they use the sun, wind, steam, and biomasses. Finally, we are not reliant on foreign energy sources. We will be self-sufficient if we employ renewable energy sources.
The world and Ukraine hope for freedom, independence, and a green future for our children, and the era has begun now.
