Renewable energy is gaining momentum around the world, CEO of Get Piol: “We need governments to continue to provide incentives and benefits for its development and deployment”
Published on: 14.3.23 23:19
The economic crisis that has plagued the world in recent times slightly dims the energy crisis that broke out about a year ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. One of the interesting topics in the field is renewable energy, which provides solutions that can paint pink even the current economic crisis. In order to shed light on the issue, we spoke with Shlomo Jacobson, CEO and founder of “Get Fuel” and an expert on energy in general and renewable energy in particular. Jacobson spoke in an interview about the current state of renewable energy, its potential for the future and the challenges ahead.
What do you think about the current state of renewable energy, and where do you think it is headed in the future?
“I think we’re at a critical time for renewable energy. We’ve seen tremendous growth in solar over the last decade and that trend is expected to continue. The costs of these technologies are coming down, which means they’re becoming accessible to more people. We’re going to see a lot more solar farms being built in the coming years and we’re going to start seeing more Innovative technologies such as energy storage.”
What are the biggest challenges facing the renewable energy industry?
“There are quite a few challenges. This industry is still largely dependent on the policies and incentives of governments around the world. Renewable energy technologies are becoming cheaper, but they still cannot compete with the price of fuels in many cases. Therefore, we need governments to continue to provide incentives and benefits for the development and deployment of energy renewable. Another challenge is the fact that the energy grid was not designed for renewable energy. The grid was designed for concentrated electricity production, and it is not always easy to integrate large amounts of solar electricity into the grid. We need to invest in upgrading the grid to make it more flexible and adapted to renewable energy sources.”
What do you think needs to happen to accelerate the growth of renewable energy?
“There are several things that can help. We need to continue to invest in research and development. We need to make sure that there is an equal “playing field” for renewable energy in terms of government policy. We need to make sure that fuels do not receive preferential treatment. Finally, we need to work on improving the energy network to make it more adaptable to sources Renewable energy. I have no doubt that the future of renewable energy is in our hands.”
“We need people with this vision”
How important is public support?
Shlomo Jacobson: “Public support is essential. Renewable energy is ultimately about creating a sustainable future for all of us. We need people to have this vision. It is important that people understand the benefits of renewable energy, both in terms of environmental quality and in terms of job creation and economic development. I think we’ve made a lot of progress in terms of public support, but there’s more work to do.”
Shlomo Jacobson. “There is huge potential” (photos: canva, Get Piol)
What role do businesses have in this matter?
“Businesses have a huge role to play. We already see many businesses committing to using 100% renewable energy. But businesses can also be leaders in developing new renewable energy technologies and investing in projects. By doing so, they can help lower costs and make renewable energy more accessible.” .
What do you have to say to people who say renewable energy is too expensive or unreliable?
“Renewable energy is becoming cheaper and cheaper. The cost of solar energy has dropped dramatically in recent years, and in many cases it is already cheaper than fuel. When you take into account the environmental and health costs of fuels, renewable energy is undoubtedly the more affordable option.”
What do you think is the future of renewable energy in developing countries?
“I think there is huge potential for renewable energy in developing countries. Many of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change and air pollution, so there is a strong incentive to switch to cleaner energy sources. Since many developing countries do not have extensive energy infrastructure, they can switch directly to renewable energy technologies without investing in expensive fuel infrastructure. We are already seeing this happen in a country like India, which has set ambitious goals for the deployment of renewable energy.”
Do you think renewable energy can completely replace fuel in the near future?
Shlomo Alon Yaakovson He concluded: “I think it’s absolutely possible. The technology exists, and we know that renewable energy can be cost-competitive. But it will require a lot of will from politicians and investment to make it happen. If we can all work together, I believe we can move to a fully renewable energy system within decades the near ones”.