Small-scale technologies, ranging from solar panels on homes to electric cars, can accelerate global decarbonization, say researchers at the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in London.
In a policy forum published in the magazine Science, in April, scientists demonstrated the advantages of “granular” energies, which surpass larger-scale technologies. They, for example, deploy faster, reduce demand, offer higher economic returns and create more employment opportunities.
“Our study suggests that the rapid proliferation of smaller-scale technologies distributed throughout our energy system, cities and homes can help drive faster, fairer progress toward climate goals,” said Charlie Wilson, one of those responsible for the search.
According to the study, this “granular” energy is also suitable for avoiding the traps of “lock-in” – a phenomenon that describes a general resistance to change in large technological systems.
“Large-scale infrastructure – whether it’s a fossil fuel plant or a concentrating solar array – is designed to last decades or longer, essentially locking these systems into their underlying technologies for the life of the project. Furthermore, those with vested interests have an incentive to decrease switching rates,” the research exemplified.
Wilson further argued that granularity should be an essential technological characteristic for policymakers, investors and companies to consider in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate a carbon-neutral energy economy.
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