The impact of abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios on renewable energy production

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Authors

Ashitosh Rajesh Varne, Simon Blouin, Baxter Lorenzo McIntosh Williams , David Denkenberger

Abstract

To combat global warming, energy systems are transitioning to generation from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, which are sensitive to climate conditions. While their output is expected to be little affected by global warming, wind and solar electricity generation could be affected by more drastic climatic changes, such as abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios (ASRSs) caused by nuclear war or supervolcanic eruptions. This paper assesses the impacts of an ASRS on global energy supply and security in a 100% renewable scenario. National generation mixes are determined according to roadmaps for a global transition to renewable energy, with wind and solar contributing a combined 94% of global energy supply. Wind and solar generation are determined for a baseline climate and an ASRS following a large-scale nuclear exchange. While effects vary by country, overall wind and solar generation is expected to reduce by 59% in the first year following an ASRS, requiring over a decade for full recovery. Sufficient energy for critical needs for everyone, including water, food, and building heating/cooling, would require international trade, resilient food production, and/or resilient energy sources, such as wood, geothermal, nuclear power, tidal power, and hydropower.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31223/X5JM6V

Subjects

Climate, Engineering

Keywords

global catastrophic risk, nuclear winter, volcanic winter, renewable energy, resilient energy systems, energy security

Dates

Published: 2024-07-26 09:39

Last Updated: 2024-07-26 16:39

License

CC BY Attribution 4.0 International

Additional Metadata

Conflict of interest statement:
None