Achieving 100% Renewable Energy with Current Technology

Dr. Gregor Giebel, the Head of the DTU TotalEnergies Centre for Clean Energy, has shared his opinion on the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis in an article published in Energy Supply in May 2024. Giebel emphasizes the importance of focusing on existing technologies rather than waiting for a miracle solution to save us.

According to Giebel, the key to meeting tomorrow’s energy requirements and stopping climate change lies in industrializing and scaling up renewable energy technologies that are already available. He points out that technologies such as wind, solar, and hydropower have the potential to provide abundant renewable energy that can meet global electricity demands.

Giebel highlights the economic viability of existing renewable energy technologies, noting that the cost of solar and wind energy has significantly decreased in recent years, making them more affordable than coal or nuclear power. He stresses the importance of integrating these technologies into a cohesive system to ensure a stable green electricity supply that can meet demand.

One of the challenges Giebel identifies is the need to connect different renewable energy technologies so they can complement each other and provide a reliable energy supply. He mentions the development of hybrid power plants as a solution to this challenge, allowing for the simultaneous use of multiple renewable energy sources.

At DTU, efforts are already underway to test and implement hybrid power plants that combine solar, wind, and hydrogen energy sources. These initiatives, along with collaborations across research facilities in Denmark, aim to advance the transition to 100 percent renewable energy.

Giebel’s message is clear: we have the technology we need to address the climate crisis, and by investing in existing technologies and integrating them effectively, we can work towards a sustainable energy future without relying on miracle solutions.