Fossil fuels are generated from the combustion of organic materials formed over millions of years from the decomposition of living beings' remains. The main fossil energy sources are oil, natural gas, and coal. These energy sources are finite and non-renewable, as their formation takes millions of years, and their excessive use can negatively impact the environment. Burning fossil fuels produces large quantities of greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change.

On the other hand, renewable energies, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy, are generated from natural resources that are constantly renewed, such as sunlight, wind, water, and Earth's heat. Unlike fossil energies, renewables are sustainable and do not emit greenhouse gases or other harmful pollutants.

Furthermore, the development of renewable technologies has improved their efficiency and significantly reduced their costs, making them an increasingly competitive and profitable option. Many countries and companies are making significant efforts to increase the production and consumption of renewable energy, which will help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change.

In Spain, last year, wind and photovoltaic energy generation increased by 1% and 33%, respectively, according to REE data. However, from June to October, renewable energy generation was low and intermittent due to climatic conditions, so to compensate, combined cycle energy generation reached a historic coverage of 31% of the demand, according to Sedigas.

How can we prevent these issues from happening?

One measure is investing in renewable energy storage projects, such as batteries and hydrogen systems, which allow storing energy generated during high production times for use when needed. By increasing renewable energy storage capacity, we can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and use renewable energy more efficiently and profitably.

Another is increasing energy efficiency in homes, businesses, and industries. This can be achieved by implementing more efficient technologies in lighting, heating, cooling, and appliances, as well as through the optimization of industrial processes and energy management.

Promoting education and awareness is fundamental to changing attitudes and behaviors towards energy. Educational programs and awareness campaigns can help foster the adoption of more sustainable energy consumption practices and inform about the benefits of renewable energy.

The integration of renewable energies into the electrical grid is crucial. This involves modernizing electrical infrastructures to allow greater integration of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into the electrical grid. More intelligent energy management systems and advanced control technologies are needed to ensure seamless integration. This way, we can improve the reliability and resilience of the electrical grid and reduce the need to generate energy from fossil fuels.

Governments can also offer economic and fiscal incentives to promote the use of renewable energies and encourage investment in clean energy projects, such as subsidies, tax exemptions, feed-in tariff systems, and financing programs. Or promote investment in research and development of energy storage technologies, the improvement of the efficiency of existing technologies, and the exploration of new renewable energy sources.

Finally, international cooperation is essential to address global energy challenges and move towards a more sustainable future. Governments, businesses, and international organizations can work together to share knowledge and resources, as well as to establish ambitious renewable energy goals and policies.

For many of these points, anticipation is key and can be achieved based on predictive analytical methodologies like those developed at Raven.