As rising gas prices continue to choke Australia and the rest of the world, it’s easy to wonder why we are still so heavily dependent on such a fickle resource. It’s the question that scientists, economists, and everyday citizens have asked for decades. But despite a consistent push for renewable, more stable energy sources, there seems to have been a stall in the implementation of these energy solutions.
Much of the world is still heavily dependent on oil and gas. Australia alone uses more than a billion barrels of oil a day, still only ranking 20th among countries that use the most oil. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, there’s no sign that gas prices will decrease, and many citizens are now forced to decide between filling up their tanks or going without other household essentials. In a modern economy, this should never be the case.
Due to the recent innovation and commercialization of electric cars through companies like Tesla Motors, we may finally begin to see a change in our use of oil. But this brings up a different question – how can we efficiently use electricity to power our world? Electric vehicles are only part of the solution to a bigger, more pressing issue – the root source of energy. Much of the world is still heavily dependent on traditional sources of energy. However, more renewable sources such as solar, wind, and water have been available for decades. Why, then, have cities not made the switch?
Many of these resources are not as easy to source, control, and predict as their counterparts. The sun doesn’t shine all the time, nor does every corner of the world get an adequate amount of sun throughout the year. Wind and water can be even more unpredictable sources of energy. Thus, though there have been many advancements in converting renewable resources into electricity, methods of storing this energy are another challenge. Innovations in chemical batteries have improved the batteries’ energy storage capacity and lifespan but still leave the possibility of corrosion and decay. The decay of chemical batteries can lead to run-off, affecting groundwater and contaminating local ecosystems and agricultural products.
Another energy storage innovation, the flywheel, has taken a different approach. Kinetic energy storage solutions are nothing new, either – they’ve been used since ancient human history to power early machines like the potter’s wheel and also more modern technology like roller coasters. Amber Kinetics, the leading innovator in kinetic energy storage technology, hopes to use this unique and sustainable technology to accelerate a reliable and low-emission energy infrastructure all around the world. With all the new advancements in the renewable energy sector, it’s time to act now to make these inventions a commonplace reality and begin powering the cities of our future.
