Take a few moments to think about how you obtain electricity on a daily basis. Does your home rely upon fossil fuels, solar power, natural gas, or wind energy? The answers to these questions will naturally vary between locations. For instance, Iceland derives a massive portion of its power with the help of geothermal energy. Some locations within southern France and the United Kingdom employ wind turbines in order to produce electricity. This is when a concept known as an energy mix comes into play.
The purpose of this article is to clarify the definition of an energy mix. We can then move on to discuss the importance of an energy mix in relation to sustainable solutions as well as how technology is continuing to transform the ways in which energy is produced (as well as why SFC Energy continues to lead the way in regard to environmentally friendly solutions for consumers and businesses alike).
First and foremost, it is important to clarify the term "energy mix". Here is a typical energy mix meaning[1]:
A breakdown of the means by which a specific region or location produces its energy.
An energy mix can therefore be used to describe different types of power generation that will thereafter be used to provide consumers with a reliable source of electricity.
There are several reasons why an energy mix is extremely important in relation to power consumption as a whole. For example, regions that are heavily reliant upon fossil fuels will need to take into account the environmental impact of these methods. Nations such as the United Kingdom are likewise keeping a close eye on their domestic energy mix in order to meet future obligations in regard to emissions standards. An energy mix can also affect the cost of electricity for the average consumer; a practical consideration that can have very real economic consequences from both short- and long-term perspectives.
As mentioned previously, an energy mix will vary between different locations. It is nonetheless important to highlight the current situation from a macroscopic perspective. Here is a generalised cumulative share of the energy mix worldwide at the moment[2] :
We can now see that sustainable energy mix sources are trailing far behind conventional methods. This is important due to the simple fact that as the effects of climate change become more apparent, alternative energy mix solutions will need to be embraced sooner as opposed to later.
At first glance, the worldwide energy mix appears to leave much to be desired. It is nonetheless prudent to mention that this is only a general overview. Certain nations are leading the way in their approaches to a greener energy mix. Here are some countries which serve as prime examples[3]:
After appreciating these observations, another question naturally arises. Why do some nations seem to be far ahead of others in terms of the ability to adopt a cleaner energy mix?
Practicality plays a pivotal role in determining the energy mix of a country or region. This depends on several factors; the most obvious being the availability of specific resources. For example, predominantly strong offshore winds make it relatively easy to deploy turbines across portions of the United Kingdom. As Iceland is essentially a volcanic island, it only stands to reason that they are associated with a purely geothermal energy mix.
The issue here is that some nations do not have immediate access to renewable forms of energy. While it could be possible to embrace sustainable technologies such as the use of hydrogen fuel cells, logistics and cost will likewise need to be entered into the equation. In other words, the notion of a "one-size-fits-all" energy mix is hardly realistic; at least at the moment.
It is now apparent that an energy mix will differ drastically between highly developed nations and those which have yet to fully implement a modern infrastructure. Although this is nothing more than common sense, another factor should be addressed.
We need to remember that poorer countries are often associated with less energy consumption due to issues such as inadequate electrical grids and difficulty accessing remote locations (problems often attributed to regions of the world such as Sub-Saharan Africa). Therefore, traditional methods are often preferred over cutting-edge technologies that will require a significant level of investment.
In contrast, developed regions are highly incentivised to adopt a cleaner energy mix due to sheer demand alone. [4] As power generation provides a substantial source of revenue, it is also much more likely that sustainable methods (such as environmentally friendly fuel cells) will be offered to the average consumer. Simply stated, nations which possess the capital to invest in cleaner energy mix portfolios are much more likely to remain one step ahead of the curve.
Economic viability is arguably the most important factor when determining how a typical energy mix may appear in the decades to come. We are not only referring to the sheer cost of the technologies themselves, but factors associated with physical implementation. Having said this, most experts agree that the following resources are the most practical [5] [6] :
Not only have these concepts existed for some time, but developed nations are highly familiar with logistical variables (such as how they can be implemented in a cost-effective manner).
The team at SFC Energy is well aware of how an energy mix will ultimately impact our product line. Our Hydrogen and DMFC technology can be easily integrated into hybrid power management solutions e.g. with additional solar modules. The future is much closer than it may appear. Those who wish to learn more about how energy mix concerns are taken into account when providing our services are encouraged to contact a customer support representative. After all, it pays to invest in sustainability.
Sources
[1]https://archive.unescwa.org/energy-mix [2]https://www.planete-energies.com/en/media/article/what-energy-mix [3]https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/11-countries-leading-the-charge-on-renewable-energy/ [4]https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-resource-100518-093759 [5]https://www.technia.com/blog/which-renewable-energy-sources-are-most-reliable/ [6]https://www.borntoengineer.com/efficient-form-renewable-energy