Putting Concentrated Solar Power Breakthrough Into Context

Frequent commenter and renewables DIYer extraordinaire Brian McGowan writes: I know you like CSP (Concentrated Solar Power). Here is an interesting system. If only they would just use the steam to turn turbines instead of getting oil out of the ground.

Yes, it’s a shame that we’re still focused on oil, but EOR (enhanced oil recovery) will be a reality for some time to come, so it’s better done with renewable energy than with fossil fuels.

We’re living through a time of great change.  Here’s one way to look at it:

• Phase One: Cheap Renewables and Efficiency Replace Fossil Fuels, Focusing on the Demise of Coal.  We’re smack dab in the middle of this.  Still to come are all of the processes that Amory Lovins (pictured) outlines in his 40-year plan.

• Phase Two: Electrification of Transportation, Bringing the End of Oil.  We’re just getting started on this one, but we should see an acceleration of this process over the coming decades as well.

It’s happening.  All around us, everyday.  My most sincere thanks to you, Brian, for being such a vital part of it.