Yellow energy refers to energy produced from fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. While these sources provide reliable and affordable energy, they also come with downsides like air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. As the world looks to transition to cleaner energy, a key question is whether we should move away from yellow energy completely, or if it still has a role to play. This article examines the pros and cons of yellow energy to help assess whether it’s still a good choice for energy production.
The Benefits of Yellow Energy
Reliability
One of the main benefits of yellow energy like coal and natural gas is reliability. Fossil fuel plants can be dispatched on demand, meaning they can increase or decrease output to meet energy needs. This is different from renewable sources like solar and wind which rely on weather conditions. For example, solar only works when the sun is shining, while wind turbines need windy conditions. This variability can make integrating large amounts of renewables complex. Fossil fuels provide steady baseline power.
Affordability
Yellow energy is also currently cheaper than most renewable alternatives. While solar and wind costs have fallen dramatically, fossil fuels remain affordable due to established infrastructure and supply chains. The table below shows the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from different sources:
| Energy Source | LCOE ($/MWh) |
|---|---|
| Coal | 65 |
| Natural Gas | 56 |
| Solar PV | 86 |
| Wind | 83 |
As the table shows, coal and natural gas are the cheapest options per unit of electricity generated. This makes them attractive, especially in developing countries looking to expand access to affordable power.
Job Creation
The fossil fuel industry also creates employment opportunities. Coal mining supports local economies by providing jobs. The natural gas boom in the United States has driven job growth in extraction, transport and processing. Renewables like solar and wind tend to be less labor-intensive for ongoing operations, though they do create jobs during construction. Yellow energy’s employment opportunities are a valuable social benefit.
The Downsides of Yellow Energy
Air Pollution
Burning fossil fuels emits pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This contributes to problems like smog, acid rain and respiratory illnesses. Coal power is especially dirty – coal plant emissions lead to over 13,000 premature deaths annually just in the U.S. due to particulate pollution. Even natural gas produces nitrogen oxides. Renewables like solar, wind and nuclear don’t have direct emissions.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Fossil fuel combustion also releases carbon dioxide, the key greenhouse gas driving climate change. The electricity sector accounts for 25% of total U.S. emissions. Reducing power plant emissions is crucial to limiting global warming to safer levels. Renewables and nuclear power generate zero direct carbon emissions during operation.
Environmental Impacts from Mining and Drilling
Extracting fossil fuels has environmental impacts. Coal mining can produce air and water pollution. Natural gas drilling uses techniques like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) that raise concerns about groundwater contamination, methane leaks and small earthquakes. Though renewable energy systems have their own environmental footprint from materials and land use, they avoid these extraction impacts.
Price Volatility
Fossil fuel prices fluctuate, which makes electricity costs uncertain. Natural gas prices crashed in the late 2000s but have been volatile since. Coal’s delivered price rose almost 40% in the past two years. Fuel price swings get passed on to consumers through their electricity rates. Renewables have zero fuel costs, providing more price stability.
Is There a Future for Yellow Energy?
The key question is whether yellow energy should still play a role going forward, or if it’s time to completely phase it out in favor of carbon-free sources. There are a few considerations around this topic:
Transition Takes Time
Realistically, rapidly replacing all fossil fuel power with renewables is extremely difficult. Renewables still make up just 11% of U.S. electricity generation. Grid experts think the maximum renewable penetration before major upgrades is around 30%. Building out renewable capacity and enabling infrastructure will take decades. Yellow energy provides a bridge as the transition accelerates.
Cost Declines May Continue
If renewable costs keep falling, they could become cheaper than operating existing fossil fuel plants. One analysis estimates solar and wind could undercut the operating costs of ~60% of U.S. coal capacity within 15 years. If these cost projections come true, it may make financial sense to retire fossil fuel plants sooner. But there is uncertainty around future cost reductions.
Carbon Capture Could Reduce Emissions
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a developing technology that extracts CO2 from exhaust streams before entering the atmosphere. Applying CCS to power plants could allow fossil fuels to operate with minimal emissions. CCS has not seen wide deployment, but it represents a potential pathway for yellow energy to reduce impacts.
Developing Countries Rely on Fossil Fuels
Even with rapid renewable development, poorer nations will remain dependent on fossil fuels to provide electricity access. An estimated 770 million people worldwide still lack basic electricity access. Renewables are often not cost-competitive in these markets. Assisting developing countries to leapfrog fossil fuel dependence will require financial and technological assistance.
Conclusion
In summary, yellow energy clearly has problematic pollution and climate impacts that justify a long-term transition away from its use. However, fossil fuels currently meet the majority of our energy needs due to advantages like affordability and reliability. Renewables are scaling rapidly but cannot realistically replace all fossil capacity for decades.
This suggests yellow energy will likely persist as part of the energy mix even as decarbonization accelerates. However, its role should diminish over time provided renewable costs keep falling. CCS technology could enable reduced-emission fossil fuel generation, but remains unproven. Developed nations should also assist poorer countries to build clean electricity systems and avoid becoming dependent on yellow energy.
With careful analysis and planning, some continued but declining yellow energy use can facilitate the transition to a net zero economy this century. This balanced approach can allow society to move steadily toward a clean energy future while maintaining reliability and affordability.
