Energy is not fungible. For starters, look at EROEI (or ECOE) and differences in fluctuating and dispatchable power, and also price, e.g. hydrogen via water electrolysis from surplus renewable generation. In theory, a very high EROEI renewable source of cheap electricity could power a complex technological culture. In practice, existing sources fall wide of the mark. While we’re already in the tail end of the fossil energy and resource age.
Energy is not fungible. For starters, look at EROEI (or ECOE) and differences in fluctuating and dispatchable power, and also price, e.g. hydrogen via water electrolysis from surplus renewable generation. In theory, a very high EROEI renewable source of cheap electricity could power a complex technological culture. In practice, existing sources fall wide of the mark. While we’re already in the tail end of the fossil energy and resource age.