One evening in the 1980ies, there was a TV debate on sustainable economic activity. I was fascinated by what Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker said about all the energy used up by our civilization potentially having the same effect with 30% of the input.
Industrial history proved him right and will certainly even surpass his optimism.
Here is a second thought: we could not only do it all with 30% of the energy, but also with 30% of the time! Civilization only means that energy is available around the clock.
So if a solar field promises to provide for 100% of all households, then this means 0% in practice. We are looking at the provision lie of the solar industry that will come back to haunt us bitterly.
Here is a third thought: wind and sun have the potential to provide all the electric energy for Europe if Europe learns to consume part-time.
Part-time in combination with full-time, both based on wind and sun. Currently, the available technologies are the development of smart grids and energy storage using water or hydrogen with fairly unlimited potential.
And here is another addition to v. Weizsäcker’s optimism:
30% of the volume and 30 % of the time means an average of 9% in energy. Now isn’t that another goal for the research of physicists and mechanical engineers?
wl
(Translated by EG)
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