Power, politics, and sacrifice

Energy independence is national security

Political tensions across the globe are leading many territories to pursue complete energy independence as an issue of national security. As tariffs and blockades threaten the supply of traditional fuels such as oil and natural gas, sustainable options such as solar and wind are increasingly attractive; not just because of their environmental attributes, but for their scalability and non-reliance on fuel supplies. Green energy isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for keeping the lights on.

What comes after sustainability?

Everyone reckons they’re sustainable now, with even the oil and gas giants talking about their carbon offsetting and being widely accused of greenwashing. When what was once a niche positioning becomes the mainstream, how can truly green brands stand out? And when everyone has a way of claiming that they’re carbon neutral, how can brands prove their sustainable credentials?

Diversification is democratic

When talking hybrid, many think of the automotive industry, but hybridisation is an important part of the future of energy generation. With social pressure and supply issues affecting certain sources of energy, suppliers look to diversify energy sources in order to maintain a stable supply irrespective of external factors. A healthy combination of energy sources is also important to keep energy democratic: not all territories or segments of society can keep up with the technological advancements needed to make proper use of them.

A sacrifice to the energy gods

Everyone wants a cleaner and cheaper future for energy, but nobody wants to make sacrifices. The “not in my back yard” (NIMBY) mindset sums this up perfectly: many people want wind turbines, but nobody wants to have to look at them from their kitchen window. The resulting public furor often adds costly delays and even leads to the cancellation of sustainable energy infrastructure projects. Then there’s smaller and personal sacrifices. You might want to use less heating, but are you ready to layer up in your own home?

The battery is the new bunker

As energy infrastructure ages and data centres and EVs put growing strain on the system, blackouts are becoming more and more common. Individuals are taking it upon themselves to secure their supply by becoming completely energy independent. Products such as domestic solar panels are becoming increasingly affordable and tech such as domestic batteries are entering the mass market, allowing homeowners to meet their own needs and even sell energy back to energy companies: the paradigm of the energy sector is changing forever.