Energy is being decentralized and democractized. Over the next 30 years, we will see a massive shift away from our centralized, physical plant structures that have been in operation for well over 100 years.
The key going forward will be virtual power plants. This is all part of the connected distributed energy grid that will be created globally. This transition will see its implementation by 2050.
How do we know this?
It all starts with the idea that the cost of energy is plummeting. While most might not be aware of it, do a web search of any energy source, renewable or fossil fuel, and you will see how the costs are dropping like a rock.
The reason this is the case is because energy, like all industries, does not operate in a vacuum. They are influenced by a host of other factors and advancements. For example, progress in computation and the materials sciences affect the entire energy sector.
Technological advancements see prices pushed way down. In another 10-15 years, we will see energy generation be at close to zero. Find this hard to fathom?
Let us look at the digital camera. In 1976 it cost roughly $7.2 million for the first camera. Now, a smartphone camera costs about 4 cents. That means the later is 1.7 billion times cheaper than its counterpart a little more than 4 decades ago.
What happens if we see something similar in energy? Even if we do not see that same factor, what does our world look like if we even get a 1 million times cost reduction?
We are moving towards a world where sensors are everywhere. The cost of these devices has dropped so much we can put them on everything from cereal boxes to clothing. However, what happens when we do something similar with photovoltec materials? Suddenly, energy generation is all around us. Windows, clothing, and all flat surfaces can become power generation stations.
Much of this is hard to believe. However, it is vital for us to remember that we are now emerging from a down cycle in terms of technological impact. The changes coming across the board will mirror the years of 1980-2000 as compared to the last 20 years. Of course, the level we are starting at now is much higher than it was 40 years ago. This means we will end up much further ahead by the end of this decade.
Presently, there is research being done to pull energy out of sources all around us. Not only is there solar and wind but also things such as vibration as well as acoustic that are being research.
In fact, there are studies underway to make electricity from our own blood. Look for this to power medical technologies in the future.
We are entering some very exciting time. Imagine every building being constructed actually being a battery. Today, they are able to enable bricks to store energy. It will not be long before they are ready to move onto other building materials.
Of course with 3D printers, they will be able to build the components directly into the building.
In short, the future of energy means that it will look nothing like it does today. We will be in a vastly different world come 2050.
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