As the world rapidly approaches 1.5°C of warming, scientists from all over the world are warning us that temperature rises as a result of global warming and climate change could threaten life as we know it.
If the world’s temperature was to rise by 1.5°C, scientists predict severe threats that will further exacerbate climate change. Now more than ever, there is a greater need to reduce our emissions and use green power.
Luckily, Europe is fighting back by shaping the future of sustainable energy by delivering transformative solutions.
To learn more about the engineering innovations revolutionizing green power, we spoke to PDH-Pro, a renowned trailblazer in the field. They kindly shared with us the top five ways in which engineering is driving Europe’s green power revolution.
Today, we’ll share these innovations with you, along with how they help.
The Rise Of Smart Grids
One of the main ways engineers are revolutionizing energy distribution is through the use of smart grids. Smart grids are electricity networks that use digital and other forms of advanced technology to monitor, manage, and control the transport of electricity to meet the electricity demands of the end users.
These digitally-enhanced systems can respond in real-time to changes in energy demand. This makes it easier for us to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
By integrating renewable sources into the grid, engineers can facilitate a smoother transition to green power.
Efficient Energy Storage
Efficient energy storage systems are making it possible for engineers to solve the intermittency problems associated with various sources of green energy. New systems can store excess power generated by solar and wind farms, ensuring energy is always available.
Advancements such as liquid air storage and solid-state batteries are making renewable energy more viable.
To put this into perspective, some European countries lose as much as 1.3 TWh of wind power because of inefficient energy storage. That’s enough energy to power 1.2 million homes.
Efficient energy storage prevents that problem.
Carbon Capture And Storage (CCS)
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a way of reducing carbon emissions. It is a three-way process that involves capturing, transporting, and storing carbon dioxide produced by industrial activity or power generation.
Thanks to the most recent engineering innovations, the development of CCS technology is accelerating at a rapid rate. By capturing and storing carbon emissions underground, engineers can reduce the environmental impact of existing power plants.
Potential storage sites for carbon emissions include depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers. This could buy us some valuable time in the fight against climate change.
Offshore Wind Energy
Europe’s expansive coastline is being utilized to build advanced offshore wind farms. Compared to the more traditional wind farms, the latest turbines are bigger, more efficient, and capable of operating in deeper waters.
This paves the way for an enormous expansion in wind energy production. In 2022 alone, new wind farm installations amounted to 2.5 GW, while onshore wind installations amounted to 16.7 GW.
That’s an increase of 4% compared with the previous year. Hopefully, that figure will only continue to rise in 2023 and 2024.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. All of the hydrogen in the universe has its origin in the first few moments after the Big Bang. Found mostly in water and tiny amounts in our atmosphere, engineers are now harnessing the power of hydrogen to produce clean energy.
Thanks to improved hydrogen fuel cell technology, which combines hydrogen and oxygen electricity, engineers can produce energy without releasing harmful fossil fuels into the atmosphere. The only byproduct of hydrogen fuel cell development is water.
What Does PDH-Pro Have To Say About This Green Transformation?
After telling us about Europe’s top five engineering innovations that are helping to revolutionize green power, we asked PDH-Pro’s CEO Neil Harper what he thought about this green transformation.
Here’s what he had to say!
“Engineering is the cornerstone of the green power revolution. Our role is not just to build the future; it’s to imagine it. From smart grids to hydrogen fuel cells, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, demonstrating that a sustainable future is not only attainable – it’s within our grasp.”
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the engineers that focus their efforts on revolutionizing green power, we still have the opportunity to reduce the effects of climate change.
As new technology continues to improve the way we use energy, it can be hoped that green power will help prevent the world’s temperatures from rising by 1.5°C.
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