Forward progress and economic development rely on the ability to balance environmental concerns with energy needs.
By Ronna Davis
Energy demand is on a sharp incline. By 2050, the world will use twice as much energy as it uses today. And there are many drivers that continue to push energy use higher.
- The global population is set to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050 (up from 8 billion today), which inherently multiplies demand.
- Manufacturing output is increasing globally—and it’s the biggest energy consumer among all industries. As manufacturing operations ramp up, so does energy use.
- More electric vehicles on the road could boost electricity consumption by as much as 38% in the United States alone.
- Data center energy consumption could grow by 160% in the next six years due to the world’s insatiable appetite for artificial intelligence.
To meet these needs, the energy industry has a bold new metric to work toward: generating 1,000 kWh per person per year to ensure modern energy access for everyone. (This breaks down to 300 kWh consumed at home and 700 kWh consumed in the wider economy.) According to the Energy for Growth Hub, which established this Modern Energy Minimum, meeting this goal will help lift entire countries and their people out of poverty, create jobs, and drive economic development.
But this additional energy generation can’t happen in a vacuum. It must take place with climate change and environmental justice at the forefront.
What Is a High-Energy, Low-Carbon World?
A high-energy world needs abundant energy to support economic growth, technology, and life; a low-carbon world prioritizes meeting energy demands as efficiently as possible.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are steps in the right direction, of course, but those steps can be taken even further. Industry leaders envision a high-energy, low-carbon future that balances environmental concerns with energy needs.
A high-energy, low-carbon world connects people to the power they need while being supported by a framework that prioritizes low-carbon alternatives.
How Prepared Are We?
How difficult could it be to meet this Modern Energy Minimum? The short answer: It’s going to be a tough job. Let’s look at the United States as an example. Even though America is highly industrialized, and everyone (in theory) has access to power, a deeper look reveals the delicate state of our electrical grid and buildings.
- 70% of the country’s power lines and large power transformers are more than 25 years old, and there aren’t enough of them.
- The average commercial building in the United States is more than 53 years old.
Given these hurdles, electrification is no simple task. When we expand this idea to emerging markets and countries that have little to no infrastructure, the challenge becomes even greater.
What Will It Take to Get There?
What does it take to electrify a city, a village, a commercial building, or even a small home? It begins with funding, but it also requires non-renewable materials, such as coal, oil, and natural gas—many of which are mined.
It requires education on how to design, deploy, and manage these systems. And, of course, it requires labor to get the job done.
Each of these things—funding, materials, education, and labor—are in short supply.
So where does that leave us on the quest for a high-energy, low-carbon future? What technologies will get us there, despite these obstacles?
A High-Energy, Low-Carbon Future Starts Here
Fault-managed power (FMP) is set to shape a world where sustainable power drives progress and possibility. It addresses each of the challenges associated with electrifying the globe in a low-carbon manner.
To put it simply:
- Because it’s safer to install than traditional electricity and follows Class 2 wiring practices, there are many more qualified workers who can install an FMP system.
- Installers don’t have to sit through hours of training and education—if they know how to install Ethernet cable, then they can be ready to install a fault-managed power system within minutes.
- FMP is faster to install and requires fewer materials than a traditional system and can support power and data in the same cable and pathways, which makes FMP more affordable.
FMP also provides significant power over long distances. In locations where remote power may be the only option, FMP is a great choice. It opens up new opportunities in locations that can’t take advantage of traditional electricity.
Digital Electricity™ is VoltServer’s brand of fault-managed power. We deliver proven power distribution solutions that are intelligent, efficient, safe, and setting a new standard for reliability, resiliency, and reach.
If you want to learn more about how it works, and how it can power a high-energy, low-carbon world, watch this recent webinar led by Cabling Installation & Maintenance, where we joined Southland Industries to talk all things FMP.
Ronna Davis is the vice president of business and market development at VoltServer.
