Renewable energy incompatible with economics

I just realised what the fundamental problem with renewable energy is: it is free and there is a limitless supply of it.

Our current economic model is based on profits from scarcity. If no one can make (big) renewable bucks from renewable energy, no business-as-usual will take it seriously. And if no business will take it seriously, it is unlikely governments will take it seriously.

Oh dear…

I suppose if you are a profit-driven investor, you would want to invest in nuclear power. Nuclear power has scarcity written all over it as uranium is a finite resource, just like petroleum. And when uranium starts running out just like petrol is now…

(From a recent conversation with Jeff Cahill)

2 comments on “Renewable energy incompatible with economics”

1. Scientist said:
   

   Renewable energy is still scarce. Renewable is not the same thing as limitless. Renewable means sustainable as in sustainable output. Your output is limited, hence a scarcity.

   
   7 September 2007 at 10:08 am
2. Zern said:
   

   I guess relatively speaking, the supply of uranium vs sunlight makes uranium more scarce. Yes, I take your point that sunlight, though renewable, is not technically limitless in the grand scheme of things.

   
   8 September 2007 at 7:25 am

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