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DJ Bauer

18 February 2018

Prof. Semih Eser

EGEE 101H

The Evolution of Energy

Vaclav Smil’s book Energy: A Beginner’s Guide gave me great insight into the history of

energy. Beforehand, my knowledge of energy was limited to the likes of energy released in the

form of ATP, which I learned about in 12th Grade biology class. Now, I definitely feel as though

I have a better understanding of what energy is, how it can be utilized, and what impacts it has

on our world. There was a lot to digest throughout the book, but the one thing that stuck with me

the most while reading is the fact the way we use energy and energy technology has been

continuously evolving throughout history. From the ancient times of foraging and hunter-

gatherers, where energy lied entirely in human movement and food energy, all the way to today’s

society, where new forms of energy like electricity and nuclear power have taken center stage,

it’s incredible to see just how energy has evolved over the centuries.

Although it’s not explicitly put like this in the book, Smil organizes his text into a

chronological development of energy over time, in direct correlation to Lewis Mumford’s

evolutionary model discussed in his 1934 book Technics and Civilization. In his book, Mumford

breaks down energy technology into three distinct epochs: the eotechnic phase (the early days,

such as the Middle Ages, when waterwheels and windmills were prime movers), the

paleotechnic phase (the time of industrial revolution, when coal-fired technologies like steam

engines were prominent), and the neotechnic phase (the modern era, where electricity and

internal combustion engines are the technological resources). Of course, times have changed
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since 1934, but I do believe that his epochs remain true today, with some overlap occurring

between eras, depending on the society. Since 1934, many other major changes to energy have

occurred, as documented by Sarah Battaglia in her writing “Evolution of Energy: From Torches

to Solar Panels.” It’s clear that “we have been determined to find the most efficient and

economical ways to make our lives easier,” (Battaglia) and the rapid advancement of energy

technology over just the last century has been something to behold. In such a short time, we’ve

come a long way. For example, nuclear fission was first discovered in 1939, and in the 1950s, we

saw nuclear power plants begin to operate in both America and Russia. The U.S. Department of

Energy was formed in 1977 and newer resources like renewable energy and electricity began to

appear in the 1980s and 1990s (Battaglia). Of course, the evolution of energy technology has its

effects on the environment, and not without protest. In 1973, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was

built, and controversy from environmental groups worried about the risk of potential accidents

began. Later on, disasters like 1979’s Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident and 1989’s

Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska drew ire from environmentalists (Battaglia). To this today, older

forms of energy like petroleum and coal are still in use, alongside the more modern forms like

electricity and nuclear power, all continuing to draw support and opposition to their use.

Perhaps what was most interesting to me about this evolution of energy and energy

technology is the future of energy. While traditional energy sources like petroleum and coal, and

even the newer natural gas, are still in use, many are finding renewable sources to be the better

option. Some believe wind and solar options to be the most beneficial and the cheapest. This

would be an incredible turnaround to the eotechnic days when these kinds of prime movers were

standard. It would almost be as if evolution were doubling back on itself to accommodate for

environmental changes. Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford engineering professor, has big ideas on
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how electricity is the key in making these renewable resources work. Jacobson says: “The idea

here is to electrify all energy sectors – transportation, heating, cooling, industry, agriculture,

forestry, and fishing – and provide that electricity with 100% wind, water and solar power”

(PRI). Jacobson goes on to mention how an electric car can use 80 to 86% of its electricity, while

a gas-powered car uses only 17 to 20% of its energy, wasting the rest (PRI). Jacobson also

believes that nations can reduce their power demand by 43% by the year 2050 through electrified

renewables (RPI). Although 2050 is a long way away, it would be interesting to see if the new

energy path is indeed through renewables, and if these changes can in fact occur over the next

thirty years.

Not everyone holds the same beliefs about the future of energy, however. Author Ethan

Siegel describes in Forbes why he believes nuclear fusion is the way to go. Siegel knows fossil

fuels are limited and discusses the pollution and harmful environmental effects that they bring.

As for renewable options, he deems them inconsistent, saying: “Try powering your grid during

dry, overcast (or overnight), and drought-riddled times, and you’re doomed to failure” (Forbes).

Siegel also mentions that the manufacturing of hydroelectric turbines and solar panels create

environmental problems themselves (Forbes). Siegel believes fusion is the solution, describing it

as “a power source (that) has never been given the necessary funding to develop fruition,” and he

looks at possible examples such as inertial confinement fusion, magnetic confinement fusion,

magnetized target fusion, and subcritical fusion (Forbes).

So, will fusion take off as the next new energy technology source? Will renewables be

the way to create a functioning green society? Or will another option appear down the road? We

can’t be sure for now, but we can definitely look back on the incredible evolution that energy and

energy technology has had and will most definitely continue to have in the future.
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Works Cited

Battaglia, Sarah. “Evolution of Energy: From Torches to Solar Panels.” The Energy Collective,

12 Feb. 2013, http://www.theenergycollective.com/sbattaglia/185031/evolution-energy-

torches-solar-panels.

Siegiel, Ethan. “The Future of Energy Isn’t Fossil Fuels or Renewables, It’s Nuclear Fusion.”

Forbes, 12 Apr. 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/04/12/the-

future-of-energy-isnt-fossil-fuels-or-renewables-its-nuclear-fusion/#54668eab3bee.

Wernick, Adam. “An entirely renewable energy future is possible, a new study says.” PRI, 9

Sep. 2017, https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-09-09/entirely-renewable-energy-future-

possible-new-study-says.