As more of the world begins to experience the devastating effects of climate change, with mass flooding, raging wildfires, and scorching hot temperatures followed by drought, government leaders around the globe are taking notice and action.
Many countries in Asia and South America have begun implementing revolutionary new technologies in renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint. The European Union has also stepped up to the challenge with a lofty new plan to switch 45% of the continent’s energy consumption to only renewable resources. For most union countries, which primarily rely on coal and natural gas, it’s a significant shift that might not seem realistic. But emerging companies that change how we consume energy once and for all may make the impossible a reality.
In Berlin, Germany, a new form of heating homes throughout the winter has just been revealed – the giant thermos, as it’s affectionately been called. This large water tank, built by Swedish company Vattenfall, has attached solar panels to harness energy from the sun, allowing the water to stay warm. During the cold winter months, citizens of Berlin may now be able to
heat their homes, take warm baths, and enjoy a hot cup of tea without worrying about using fossil fuels and even saving on their electric bills. Due to blackout fears of Russia possibly cutting natural gas supplies to Germany during the war, this technological feat can allow for both energy independence for Germany and a step toward a zero-carbon future.
Germany isn’t the only country in Europe getting in on the action of new climate technologies. In Iceland, a huge new project is underway – the Mammoth. Built by a Swiss company called Climeworks, the Mammoth is the second of two huge direct air capture (DAC) facilities. DAC works by using chemical reactions to capture and trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it unable to leave once it has been captured. Climeworks’ first DAC, Orca, can capture 4000 tons of CO2 annually. Mammoth seeks to increase that by four times, capturing approximately 36,000 tons. In this way, Icelandic citizens can enjoy clean air equivalent to stylishster more than 4000 cars from the road per year.
Finally, Silicon Valley-based energy storage method has blown the traditional chemical battery out of the water. While chemical batteries are used in most electronics to store energy – from smartphones to smart cars, they often have short lifespans, made of rare earth metals that can quickly decay and cause environmental damage. Knowing there had to be a better way, Amber Kinetics developed a revolutionary new flywheel energy storage solution. Amber Kinetics has installed its flywheels in Australia, China, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States.
With so many countries not afraid to leap towards renewable energy and carbon-zero technologies, governments are taking action. In the future energy market, traditional methods are on the way out, and it’s time for sustainable energy to take the stage.
