An Era of Energy Independence and Abundance: From Unforeseen Boom to Global Reality

 

Yet, this era is tentative. 

Introduction

In the mid-2010s, the global energy landscape appeared precarious. Oil prices had plummeted from over $100 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 by early 2016, driven by a supply glut from U.S. shale production and sluggish demand amid economic uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East loomed large, and forecasts painted a picture of persistent volatility, with many experts predicting prolonged dependence on volatile imports and a slow, uneven transition to renewables. 

Fast-forward to November 2025, and the world confronts a strikingly different reality: an era of energy independence and abundance that few could have anticipated just six or eight years prior. This shift, marked by surging production, plummeting renewable costs, and diversified supply chains, has reshaped economies, bolstered security, and accelerated decarbonization efforts. This post explores whether this transformation holds true, examining historical predictions against current trends, the drivers of abundance, and the implications for a sustainable future.

Historical Predictions: 

A Landscape of Caution and ConstraintSix to eight years ago—spanning 2017 to 2019—energy outlooks were dominated by caution. The International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2017 projected global oil demand to rise steadily to 104 million barrels per day (mb/d) by 2023, but with warnings of supply risks from OPEC+ cuts and underinvestment in upstream projects. Renewables were seen as promising but niche; the IEA forecasted solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to reach about 600 gigawatts (GW) globally by 2023, a figure that seemed ambitious given grid integration challenges and subsidy dependencies. 

Natural gas was hailed as a bridge fuel, but LNG exports were expected to grow modestly, with the U.S. potentially becoming a net exporter only by the early 2020s—if shale economics held.In the U.S., the shale revolution was already underway, but independence was far from assured. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) in 2018 predicted the country would remain a net petroleum importer until at least 2020, citing refining constraints and export infrastructure lags. 

Globally, abundance felt elusive; McKinsey's Global Energy Perspective 2017 warned of "energy trilemmas"—balancing security, affordability, and sustainability—amid rising demand from Asia. Predictions emphasized scarcity risks: peak oil debates lingered, coal's decline was gradual, and electric vehicles (EVs) were projected to capture just 2-3% of global car sales by 2025. The consensus? Energy security would hinge on diplomatic maneuvering, not domestic booms or technological leaps. 

These forecasts, while prescient in some areas, profoundly underestimated the pace of innovation and market forces. By 2025, reality has outstripped expectations, delivering not just stability but surplus.The U.S. Model: Achieving Independence Through Shale and DiversificationThe United States stands as the poster child for this unforeseen independence. In 2019, the U.S. became a net energy exporter for the first time since 1957, a milestone the EIA confirmed with exports surpassing imports by energy content. 

By 2023, exports hit record highs, with oil production peaking at over 13 mb/d, and 2025 projections show sustained output around 13.2 mb/d despite some moderation in shale drilling. 

Natural gas liquids (NGLs) and LNG exports have exploded, with the U.S. shipping 14.9 billion cubic feet per day of LNG in 2025—25% more than 2024—bolstered by new facilities like Plaquemines LNG. 

This wasn't predicted in 2017-2019 outlooks, which anticipated net imports persisting into the 2020s. Instead, policy shifts under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and technological efficiencies in fracking have intertwined fossil fuels with renewables. U.S. CO2 emissions have declined as cheap gas displaces coal, while solar and wind capacity has surged to over 200 GW combined by mid-2025. 

Reports from the Conference Board underscore this: "The US has achieved a long-desired goal: energy independence," but warn of challenges like permitting delays that could erode gains. 

Abundance here means not just self-sufficiency but export prowess, with LNG reshaping global trade and shielding allies from Russian supply shocks.Global Trends: From Scarcity Fears to Supply SurfeitsBeyond the U.S., the world has embraced abundance on multiple fronts. Global energy demand grew 2.2% in 2024—faster than the 2013-2023 average—but was met with renewables claiming 38% of supply growth, outpacing natural gas (28%) and coal (15%). 

 Electricity demand surged 4.3%, the largest absolute increase ever (outside recessions), yet renewables filled the gap: solar alone added 306 terawatt-hours (TWh) in H1 2025, a 31% jump, pushing its global share to 8.8%. 

By mid-2025, renewables overtook coal in electricity generation for the first time, at 34.3% versus 33.1%. 

Oil and gas production trends further defy early predictions. World supply rose to 105 mb/d in 2025, up 1.8 mb/d from 2024, with non-OPEC+ nations like the U.S., Brazil, Guyana, and Canada driving 1.4 mb/d of growth. 

OPEC+ added 1.4 mb/d, unwinding cuts amid softening prices, leading to a projected surplus of 2.7 mb/d in Q3 2025. 

Brent crude averaged $69/b in 2025, down from peaks, thanks to this glut—far from the $80+ forecasts of 2018. 

LNG supply waves from North America and Qatar promise lower prices, enhancing security post-Ukraine invasion. 

Renewable abundance is even more pronounced. Solar PV capacity exceeded 3,000 GW by end-2025, with China (47%) and Europe (20%) leading; costs have plunged, making behind-the-meter solar/battery systems viable for households and businesses. 

IRENA's 2025 Global Renewables Summit declared: "We are entering the age of renewable abundance," with investments up 14% annually since 2018 despite shocks. 

McKinsey's Global Energy Perspective 2025 notes emissions peaked in 2024, with 2025 marking structural decline, as clean energy outpaces demand. 

This contrasts sharply with 2017's modest projections, where solar growth averaged under 20% annually.Key Metric

2017-2019 Prediction (by 2025)

2025 Reality

Global Solar Capacity

~600-800 GW

>3,000 GW 

Yet, this era is tentative. 

Permitting bottlenecks, trade tensions, and uneven transitions in developing nations could reverse gains. Policymakers must prioritize grid upgrades, equitable access, and innovation to sustain abundance. In retrospect, the mid-2010s' pessimism underestimated human ingenuity; today, that same drive beckons us toward a truly sustainable tomorrow. The question isn't whether abundance arrived—it did. It's how we ensure it endures. Zeljko Serdar, CCRES.

Geoenergija Razvoj

Napokon, nakon 20-tak godina mog pisanja. Nova Ina, odnosno njen ozbiljan tržišni konkurent, trebala bi postati tvrtka Geoenergija razvoj koju je koncem lipnja osnovala Agencija za ugljikovodike.

Radi se o najznačajnijem strateškom projektu koji pokreće Republika Hrvatska, a koji ujedno predstavlja najsnažniji iskorak u odnosu na dosadašnje stanje. Objedinjavanjem resursa unutar jednog zakona povećati će se učinkovitosti sustava u području energetike kroz smanjenje administrativnih barijera.

Trebalo nam je godina i godina da se odupremo sluganskom razmišljanju, kako "stručnjaka za ugljikovodike" tako i političara, te da dočekamo početak realizacije ovog Vladinog projekta osnivanjem tržišnog pandana i svojevrsnog antipoda ovakvoj Ini, koji će biti i ostati u stopostotnom vlasništvu hrvatske države.

Prvenstveni plan Geoenergije razvoj je osigurati dodatne izvore energetske sigurnosti koju država nije u mogućnosti pokriti trenutnim resursima kojima raspolaže. Osim toga, cilj osnivanja je stvaranje operativnog tijela koje može sudjelovati u područjima u kojima tržište trenutno ne reagira, poput razvoja tehnologija za hvatanje i skladištenje ugljikova dioksida, vodikovih projekata te međunarodnih aktivnosti u sektoru energetske tranzicije.

Treba odmah započeti raditi s regulatornim tijelima kako bismo što prije započeli s proizvodnjom iz novih otkrića na poljima Hrvatske i u inozemstvu, s fokusom na održivoj eksploataciji i iskorištavanju tehnologija za zaštitu okoliša, te tako još jače pridonijeli energetskoj sigurnosti Hrvatske.

Rooftop solar emissions math

The high cost of solar comes at a time when utility bills are rising faster than inflation, with that trend expected to continue.

Spanish renewables developer RIC Energy said it has closed EUR 29.5 million (USD 34.0m) in project financing for two solar photovoltaic projects in Almodovar del Campo, central Spain.

The financing was provided by Alameda Energy Fund, a renewables-focused vehicle managed by Beka Credit, RIC Energy said in a LinkedIn post. The company will use the funds to build its Bluesol 1 and Bluesol 2 solar farms, which will have a combined installed capacity of over 60 MW.

The transaction marks RIC Energy’s first project finance deal in Spain and involves the company’s first projects to be constructed in the country after two decades of developing renewables abroad.

RIC Energy said the transaction represents a “decisive step” in its transformation into an independent power producer (IPP) and showcases its ability to develop projects supported by its own financial strength.

Polish renewables developer-operator R.Power SA said it has started construction of the 55-MWp Lazuri solar farm in north-western Romania.

The project, located in the Lazuri commune of Satu Mare County, will be built by R.Power’s EPC arm NOMAD Electric, the company said.

The solar farm will connect to the national grid via a new 110-kV substation linked to the Vetis–Abator transmission line. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce around 70 GWh of electricity per year, enough to power more than 48,000 homes

The Lazuri project is backed by a 15-year contract-for-difference (CfD) awarded to R.Power in Romania’s renewables auction.

Ukraine’s government has approved the provision of UAH 440 million (USD 10.5m/EUR 9.08m) in state grants to support the development of decentralized renewable energy sources and secure an uninterrupted power supply for critical public facilities.

Some UAH 396 million will be allocated to local budgets for the installation of solar panels, heat pumps, and energy storage systems in schools, hospitals, and kindergartens. The remaining UAH 44 million will fund technical assistance for procurements, which will be carried out by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

This project underscores our priority: decentralization of the energy system and high-quality management of public investments, made possible through cooperation with the European Investment Bank and our international partners.

The Renewable Energy Solutions (RES) program is financed by a grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided by the Federal Government of Germany and the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project is jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the UNDP, which will act as the procurement agent.

India's solar module manufacturing capacity is set to surpass 125 GW by 2025, well above domestic demand of around 40 GW, which is expected to lead to an inventory buildup of 29 GW by the third quarter of 2025.

India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been very effective in driving factory announcements, but the industry is now seeing warning signs of overcapacity. The challenge has shifted from building capacity to achieving cost-competitiveness and diversifying export markets.

New 50% reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US have significantly impacted India's module exports to its primary export market.

Indian-assembled module using imported cells is at least USD 0.03 per W more expensive than a fully imported Chinese module, while a completely ‘Made in India’ module would cost more than double Chinese counterparts.

Achieving cost-competitiveness will require a pivot to aggressive research and development (R&D), investment in next-generation technology, and a push to open new export markets in Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

India is at a crossroads, but it holds the clearest potential to become the only credible, large-scale alternative to the Chinese solar supply chain.

Dubai-based AMEA Power has begun installing the first solar panels at its 1,000-MW solar power project with a 600-MWh battery system in Egypt’s Benban area of Aswan, saying it will become Africa’s largest integrated solar and storage project.

In China’s domestic market, industry participants reported that over half of the nearly 20 GW wafer inventory comprises n-type 210R (182mm × 210 mm) wafers, underscoring a concentration in this specification. Market insiders noted that some producers have slightly reduced selling prices for these wafers from around CNY 1.40 ($0.20)/pc to CNY 1.35/pc to ease inventory pressure and improve cash flow, while emphasizing that favorable policy guidance alone is insufficient to stabilize prices amid weak demand.

Adding to the cost burden, another market participant noted that rising silver prices have pushed up solar cell manufacturing costs, further limiting producers’ ability to absorb any wafer price increases.

Despite these headwinds, wafer production remains at elevated levels. Sources indicated that average utilization rates have exceeded 60%, and October wafer output is expected to surpass 60 GW. However, under current policy directives on production control, market participants expect output to decline in November and December as inventory accumulation intensifies.

On the export front, both market sources and customs data show that Chinese wafer exports increased from January to September 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. This growth was primarily driven by rising solar cell manufacturing capacity in India, now the second-largest wafer consumption market after China. Other major export destinations include Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia, where Chinese wafers are processed into solar cells for markets such as India and Turkey, or further assembled into modules in Africa before being shipped to the U.S.

Sodium Batteries - Safer and Cheaper #learnstuff

Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries are creating a "wow" factor because they are a potentially cheaper, more sustainable, and safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with notable advancements in performance, such as fast charging and better cold-temperature performance. While they currently have lower energy density than some lithium-ion batteries, they are becoming a promising technology for large-scale energy storage like electric grids, as well as for some vehicles and devices. 

Explore the rise of sodium-ion batteries (SIB/Na-ion) — cheaper, safer, and built from abundant materials like iron, carbon, and salt. This video breaks down how SIBs work, key chemistries (NFPP, NASICON, Prussian blue analogs), advantages vs. Li-ion, and recent breakthroughs from UCSD/UChicago, JNCASR, BYD, CATL, Altris, Faradion, and more. 

Learn about fast-charging, solid-state anode‑free designs, grid-scale potential, and real-world commercialization efforts across Germany, China, India, and Australia. Perfect for tech-curious viewers wanting a clear snapshot of the sodium battery revolution. 

If you found this helpful, please like and share to spread the word.

#SodiumIon #NaIon #BatteryTech #EnergyStorage #EVbatteries #SIB

SIBs received academic and commercial interest in the 2010s and early 2020s, largely due to lithium's high cost, uneven geographic distribution, and environmentally-damaging extraction process. Unlike lithium, sodium is abundant, particularly in saltwater. 

SIB cells consist of a cathode based on a sodium-based material, an anode (not necessarily a sodium-based material) and a liquid electrolyte containing dissociated sodium salts in polar protic or aprotic solvents. During charging, sodium ions move from the cathode to the anode while electrons travel through the external circuit. During discharge, the reverse process occurs.

Sodium-ion batteries have several advantages over competing battery technologies. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have somewhat lower cost, better safety characteristics (for the aqueous versions), and similar power delivery characteristics, but also a lower energy density (especially the aqueous versions). 

Companies around the world have been working to develop commercially viable sodium-ion batteries.

In July 2024, the University of Chicago and UC San Diego developed an anode-free sodium solid-state battery that they claimed was cheaper, safer, fast charging, and high capacity.

A research team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a super-fast charging sodium-ion battery (SIB) based on a NASICON-type cathode and anode material, that can charge up to 80% in just six minutes and last over 3000 charge cycles.

Australia's Altech is building a 120 MWh plant in Germany.

Germany invested €1.3 million in a sodium-ion project with BASF and Mercedes-Benz.

Altris AB was founded by Associate Professor Reza Younesi, his former PhD student, Ronnie Mogensen, and Associate Professor William Brant as a spin-off from Uppsala University, Sweden launched in 2017 as part of research efforts from the team on sodium-ion batteries. Altris holds patents on non-flammable fluorine-free electrolytes consisting of NaBOB in alkyl-phosphate solvents, Prussian white cathode, and cell production. Clarios is partnering to produce batteries using Altris technology.

BYD in 2023 invested $1.4B USD into the construction of a sodium-ion battery plant in Xuzhou with an annual output of 30 GWh.

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL (world's largest EV battery maker) announced in 2021 that it would bring a sodium-ion based battery to market by 2023. It uses Prussian blue analogue for the positive electrode and porous carbon for the negative electrode. They claimed a specific energy density of 160 Wh/kg in their first generation battery.

Faradion Limited is a subsidiary of India's Reliance Industries. Its cell design uses oxide cathodes with hard carbon anode and a liquid electrolyte. Their pouch cells have energy densities comparable to commercial Li-ion batteries (160 Wh/kg at cell-level), with good rate performance up to 3C, and cycle lives of 300 (100% depth of discharge) to over 1,000 cycles (80% depth of discharge). Its battery packs have demonstrated use for e-bike and e-scooter applications. They demonstrated transporting sodium-ion cells in the shorted state (at 0 V), eliminating risks from commercial transport of such cells.[93] It is partnering with AMTE Power plc (formerly known as AGM Batteries Limited).

The future for sodium-ion batteries is bright, driven by their lower cost, abundance of sodium, and improving performance, making them a strong contender for grid-scale energy storage and budget-friendly electric vehicles. Market growth is projected to be substantial, with forecasts showing significant expansion in annual production and market value over the next decade. Key challenges remain, such as increasing energy density and cycle life, but ongoing research and development are rapidly addressing these issues, and some manufacturers are already producing them for commercial use. 

Renewable energy surpassed coal

For the first time, renewable energy has surpassed coal as the primary source of electricity worldwide, according to a new report, marking a shift in global reliance on environmentally harmful fossil fuels.

Renewable energy contributed 34.3% of all global electricity generated in the first half of 2025, while coal fell to 33.1%. Renewable energies include sources like solar, wind, and hydro, as opposed to fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

Nevertheless, global coal generation fell 0.6% in the first half compared to the same period a year earlier.

I think that most economies want to expand their clean electricity, but some are more strategic and seizing on the opportunity than others.

China has been particularly clever in decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels. Countries including Hungary, Pakistan and Australia set records in solar energy production, generating 20% or more of their electricity from solar power.

Global carbon dioxide emissions fell slightly in the first half of the year as solar and wind power "exceeded demand growth and led to a slight fall in fossil fuel use."

China has been the largest driver in the move to renewable energy sources, accounting for 55% of global solar generation growth. The United States' share, by contrast, was just 14%. Renewables might slow as the Trump administration moves to sharply reduce clean-energy development.

While the world — including the United States — is making significant gains in making energy cleaner, increased demand leaves renewables struggling to meet consumer needs. The tech race to integrate artificial intelligence into daily life is in part to blame.

This has really been an inflection point for the United States in that power demand in the U.S. had flatlined for a couple decades, and with the growth of data centers, and AI and crypto, and with other growth from industries and air conditioning, and so on, we're starting to see electricity demand grow 3% per year, rather than be flat or 1%.

Populous developing countries like China and India led the charge in adding more renewable energies. Meanwhile, Western societies including the European Union and the United States met some of their increased electricity demand through the use of fossil fuels during this period.

Plant This Shrub - Aronia

Aronia, or black chokeberry, fits well into permaculture landscapes due to its hardiness, ability to tolerate varied soil conditions, high antioxidant properties, and role as a native plant. It provides multi-season interest, self-fertile fruit production, and can be incorporated into edible landscaping, food forests, and systems like swales for its ecological function. While it produces astringent fruit, best suited for use in jams or smoothies, its resilience and contribution to a polyculture system make it a valuable permaculture species. 

Why Aronia is a Good Permaculture Plant

Nativism: 

Aronia is a North American native plant, integrating well into regional ecosystems. 

Toughness: 

It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including wet or clay soils, and can grow in full sun to partial shade. 

Food Production: 

It's a prolific producer of nutritious, high-antioxidant berries, though they are astringent when raw. 

Edible Landscaping: 

Its attractive foliage and fruit make it suitable for edible landscaping and food forest systems. 

Pest & Disease Resistant: 

The shrub is not often plagued by birds or pests and is generally free of disease. 

Integration into Permaculture Design

Polyculture Systems: 

Integrate aronia into a polyculture system with other native, edible, and beneficial plants for a more visually appealing and ecologically functional landscape. 

Food Forests: 

Place it in a food forest, potentially underplanting larger trees, to create edible layers within the system. 

Edible Swales: 

Consider planting aronia near or on swales to help manage water and provide ecological benefits while producing food. 

Care and Harvesting

Planting: 

Plant in spring or fall in a site with at least six hours of full sun for best fruiting. Amend the soil with compost and mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

Pruning: 

Prune after flowering to remove dead or diseased branches, but avoid heavy pruning after flowering to preserve berry production. 

Harvesting: Berries ripen in late summer and are best harvested when fully ripe, often after the first frost. They can be harvested with rakes or by snipping clusters, and are excellent when processed into jams, smoothies, or dried goods. 

Discover why Aronia (black chokeberry) is a must‑plant for permaculture — a quick 5‑minute checklist to plant today! Learn about its native benefits, soil and sun tolerance, high‑antioxidant berries, pest/disease resistance, and how to use it in food forests, polycultures, and edible swales. Includes planting, pruning, and harvest tips plus practical uses (jams, smoothies). Like and share if this helped your garden plan!

#Aronia #BlackChokeberry #Permaculture #FoodForest #EdibleLandscaping #Polyculture #PlantToday

OUTLINE:

00:00:00

The Unsung Hero of the Permaculture Garden

00:00:37

Why Aronia Thrives

00:01:27

The Multi-Functional Powerhouse

00:02:32

Your Simple Aronia Blueprint

00:03:16

The Joy of Harvest and a Call to Action

All the best to all of you, 

Zeljko Serdar.

Stop Confusing Renewable with Sustainable

Renewable Energy vs Sustainable Energy

Examples of renewable energy sources include:

Biomass: Organic material that is burned or converted to liquid or gaseous form. Biomass from trees was the leading source of energy in the United States before the mass adoption of fossil fuels. Modern examples of biomass include ethanol and biodiesel, which are collectively referred to as biofuels. However, their sustainability depends on production lifecycle factors like land use, water consumption, and emissions. Advances in second-generation biofuels, which use non-food crops and agricultural waste, aim to address these concerns, reducing competition for land and improving overall carbon efficiency.

Geothermal Energy: Heat produced by decaying radioactive particles found deep within the earth. Next-generation geothermal technologies such as superhot rock geothermal are being developed to significantly increase capacity and efficiency, with the potential to meet a larger share of global electricity demand by 2050.

Hydropower: While hydropower used to be the largest source of renewable electricity due to its reliability, solar has now surpassed it in installed capacity. Hydropower remains a major contributor to global renewable generation but faces growth challenges due to environmental concerns and site limitations.

Solar: Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity and has been the fastest-growing renewable energy source in recent years. Solar’s rapid expansion7 is driven by improved affordability, viability, and demand, but deployment can require significant land area and effective storage solutions to address intermittency.

Wind: Wind turbines harness wind’s natural kinetic energy to generate electricity. Wind power continues to grow globally, though development faces challenges in some regions due to permit issues and grid connection challenges. Wind is often integrated with other renewables for a more stable energy supply.

Sustainable energy sources can maintain current operations without jeopardizing the energy needs or climate of future generations. The most popular sources of sustainable energy, including wind, solar and hydropower, are also renewable.

Biofuel is a unique form of renewable energy, as its consumption emits climate-affecting greenhouse gasses, and growing the original plant product uses up other environmental resources. However, biofuel remains a major part of the green revolution. 

The key challenge with biofuel is finding ways to maximize energy output while minimizing the impact of sourcing biomass and burning the fuel.

Even with resources that are both renewable and sustainable, the need for storage, transmission infrastructure, and equitable grid access can present hurdles.

While new technologies, such as grid-scale battery storage and smart distribution networks, are helping bridge these gaps and making renewable energy more accessible across regions, there is much more work to do. 

Answering these and other questions requires the advanced critical thinking skills and social, political and economic awareness that a master’s degree in sustainable energy can provide. It will take more to support long-term adoption of renewable and sustainable resources than technical knowledge alone.

Energy leaders must understand the nuances between renewable and sustainable energy and use them accurately in legislation. 

Not only will the precise use of language benefit consumers, allowing them to understand the implications of their energy choices, but it will also help officials ensure their policies accurately reflect their objectives. 

Stop Confusing Renewable with Sustainable—Here’s the 3‑Min Truth: quick, clear breakdown of renewable energy vs sustainable energy — what’s the difference, why it matters for policy, and how technologies like solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biofuels fit in. Learn about lifecycle impacts, storage and grid challenges, and why precise language matters for climate action and legislation. Perfect for students, policymakers, energy professionals, and curious viewers who want a smarter take on clean energy. If this helped, please like and share to spread the clarity. 

#RenewableEnergy #SustainableEnergy #Solar #Wind #Biofuel #EnergyPolicy

See Less

OUTLINE:

00:00:00

Introduction and Core Concepts

00:00:28

Energy Source Deep Dive

00:00:51

Wind Through Policy Solutions

Zeljko Serdar, 

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources.

Driverless 18‑Wheelers Change Your Life

Transportation is changing quickly. 

Just as ride-sharing apps transformed how people travel within cities, autonomous trucks may soon reshape how goods move across the country. The difference is that this shift is approaching within just a few years.  As a shopper, autonomous trucks could mean faster and more affordable deliveries. As a driver, you may soon share highways with self-driving freight haulers. As a business owner, this technology could reduce logistics costs and ease the impact of driver shortages.

The bigger picture is that autonomous trucks are moving from testing to real use. They are no longer limited to pilot projects. You may see them alongside you on the road sooner than expected. The progress CCRES  reports today offers a glimpse of that future. If the companies continue on this track, driverless trucks could become a normal part of daily life by the end of the decade.

Even if you never step into a truck, these results affect your daily life. Every product you buy travels by truck at some point, whether it's groceries, clothing or furniture. The way those trucks operate influences cost, availability and safety on the road.

The trucking industry faces three major challenges. There are not enough long-haul drivers to meet demand. Costs continue to rise due to labor shortages, tariffs and fuel prices. And safety is a concern because human drivers can get tired or distracted.

Autonomous trucks could help address each of these issues. PlusAI's vehicles are already hauling freight on Texas highways today, and they are also undergoing road testing in Sweden. The company has already logged more than 5 million autonomous miles across the United States, Europe and Asia. That real-world experience fuels the AI system with the data it needs to improve.

Would you feel comfortable seeing an 18-wheeler drive itself on the highway next to your car? 

Let me know, Zeljko Serdar.

Will Driverless 18‑Wheelers Change Your Next Delivery? Explore how autonomous trucks are moving from pilots to real-world roads—and what that means for shoppers, drivers, and businesses. In this quick 3‑minute video we break down how self‑driving freight could speed up deliveries, cut logistics costs, and ease driver shortages. Will you feel comfortable sharing the highway with an 18‑wheeler that drives itself? Watch to find out.

If you found this useful, please like and share the video. Questions or thoughts?  #AutonomousTrucks #Driverless #Logistics #FutureOfTransport

See Less

OUTLINE:

00:00:00

Transportation Revolution Hook

00:00:14

Stakeholder Impact

00:00:30

Current Reality Check

00:00:52

Daily Life Impact and Industry Challenges

00:01:41

Future Outlook and Call to Action

Why Thorium Could Power the Future

What is Thorium and Why is it "Next-Gen" for Power?

Thorium (Th-232) is a naturally occurring, mildly radioactive metal that's more abundant than uranium (about 3-4 times more common in Earth's crust) and produces less long-lived radioactive waste when used in nuclear reactions. 

Unlike traditional uranium-based nuclear reactors, thorium can be used in advanced reactor designs like molten salt reactors (MSRs) or liquid fluoride thorium reactors (LFTRs), which are considered "next-generation" (Gen IV) nuclear tech. 

These designs promise:Safer operation: Thorium reactors can't easily "melt down" because the fuel is already in a molten state, and they have passive safety features that shut down reactions if things go wrong.

Higher efficiency: They can "breed" more fuel than they consume (using thorium to produce uranium-233), potentially running for decades on a small amount of fuel.

Less waste: Waste is shorter-lived (hundreds of years vs. thousands for uranium) and produces fewer weapons-grade byproducts.

Clean energy potential: Near-zero carbon emissions, making it a bridge to renewables for baseload power (e.g., powering cities or data centers without fossil fuels).

Thorium isn't new—it's been researched since the 1950s—but recent advancements in materials science and funding have made it viable for commercial "next-gen power supplies." No full-scale thorium power plants are operational yet (as of 2025), but prototypes and pilots are progressing rapidly.

Key Developments in Thorium Next-Gen Power (as of August 30, 2025)Here's a rundown of the most promising projects and companies pushing thorium forward. These are based on ongoing global efforts, with a focus on scalability for power grids, EVs, or even small modular reactors (SMRs) as "power supplies" for remote or industrial use.

Global Momentum: As of mid-2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports over 20 countries (including the US, UK, and Japan) investing in thorium R&D. The US Department of Energy allocated $100M+ in 2024 for Gen IV tech, including thorium pilots via companies like TerraPower (Bill Gates-backed, though more sodium-focused, with thorium explorations). 

Challenges remain: High startup costs (~$5-10B for a full plant) and regulatory hurdles, but falling material costs (thorium is ~$30/kg) make it competitive with renewables.

Pros for Power Supply Use: Thorium reactors could provide reliable, 24/7 "power supplies" for EVs (e.g., charging grids), ships, or space missions (NASA has eyed thorium for lunar bases). Output is scalable from 1 MW micro-reactors to 1 GW+ plants.

Cons & Controversies: Still nuclear, so waste and proliferation risks exist (though lower than uranium). Public opposition in some regions due to Fukushima memories. No meltdowns, but initial fuel processing requires uranium kickstarters.

Is Thorium the Future of Power Supplies?Absolutely promising for next-gen needs—it's not hype; prototypes are proving it works. By 2030, we could see thorium powering entire cities cleanly. If you're thinking of it for personal/small-scale "power supply" (e.g., home generators), that's not feasible yet—stick to solar/batteries for now. 

Trump’s Renewable Ban

President Donald Trump said his administration will not approve solar and wind projects.

Renewable executives say blocking solar and wind projects will worsen a power supply shortage, harming the grid and leading to higher prices.

The industry is facing difficulty getting permits, rising costs due to tariffs, and the end of key tax credits.

Shares in wind farm developer Orsted lost ground on Monday.

The U.S. government last week ordered the company to halt construction of an almost completed project.

President Donald Trump’s attack on solar and wind projects threatens to raise energy prices for consumers and undermine a stretched electric grid that’s already straining to meet rapidly growing demand, renewable energy executives warn.

Trump has long said wind power turbines are unattractive and endanger birds, and that solar installations take up too much land. This week, he said his administration will not approve solar and wind projects, the latest salvo in a campaign the president has waged against the renewable energy industry since taking office.

“We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar,” Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday. “The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!”

The red tape at the Interior Department and rising costs from Trump’s copper and steel tariffs have created market instability that makes planning difficult, the renewable executives said.

Shares in wind farm developer Orsted tumbled soon as trading kicked off on Monday after the U.S. government ordered the company to halt construction of a nearly completed project.

By mid-morning, the company’s shares were around 17% lower, with shares hitting a record low according to LSEG data.

Late on Friday the U.S.′ Bureau of Ocean Energy Management had issued a stop-work order for the Revolution Wind Project off of Rhode Island. According to Orsted, the project is 80% complete and 45 out of 65 wind turbines have been installed.

How Trump's move to block solar and wind could hit your energy bills and the electric grid. President Donald Trump’s announcement to stop approving solar and wind projects is shaking the renewable energy sector. This short news explainer breaks down how permit delays, tariffs, ending tax credits, and the recent stop-work order on Orsted’s Revolution Wind project could worsen power shortages, strain the grid, and push energy prices higher for consumers. Hear why renewable executives warn of market instability and what this means for homeowners and policymakers. Like and share this video to spread awareness.

#RenewableEnergy #Trump #EnergyPrices #Solar #Wind #Orsted #RevolutionWind #GridReliability