Fortum - Brighter days ahead - Solar Economy
Fortum’s mission is to create energy that improves life, for present and future generations. The smart energy future is for everyone – including you! Tomorrow’s energy system – Solar Economy – means endless energy with close to no CO2 emissions, a low environmental burden, and flexible and efficient energy distribution and use.
Energy demand is soaring
The magnitude of this shift cannot be overstated. Modern society depends on energy to function. And we know for a fact that going forward, we will need even more energy: population growth is speeding up, and people all over the world are moving up the ladder of living standards. But where do we find all this energy, and how will our planet cope?
To get energy that improves life – today and for future generations – we reach for the sun, literally. The sun has all the energy we need – we just need to grab it. Imagine, energy to bring a better life for the many, not for the few!
Smarter energy coming up
The energy system of the future is all about flexibility and efficiency. Energy will be produced in places with the best conditions – energy that will be transmitted to where it is needed, and stored and saved for us to use when we need to.
The sun’s energy is used in many different ways, so there is no need to rely on just one production form or technology. Solar energy can be used either directly as solar electricity and heat, or indirectly, as hydro, ocean and wind power, bioenergy, and geothermal heat. Also, clean electricity will play an important role, replacing other energy forms like fossil fuels, which is really good news for the planet.
The system will be able to connect supply and demand in a whole new way. It will sense where energy is needed, and use the best source available to fill the need. Also, in the same way that energy production now adjusts to demand, in the future, demand will adjust to supply. For example, the system will be clever enough to tell you, in real time, when to use energy at the lowest cost. Finally, truly sustainable energy!
You too will become an active part of the energy future – smart power grids will let you both consume and produce energy. Should you need more than you produce, you will be able to buy some extra, and in case you produce more than you need, you will be able to sell your surplus to the grid.
The journey has begun
Does all this sound too good to be true? Actually, at Fortum the journey toward Solar Economy has begun. For example, we are already using hydro power and bioenergy, and we have been working on many new Solar Economy solutions for quite some time. Fortum is moving from research and development to really making things happen – new smart grids are tried out and the fuel distribution network for electric vehicles is expanding.
Having said all this, the energy sector still has a lot of ground to cover before we reach the ultimate destination. We need to learn how to capture, convert and, above all, distribute solar energy in a cleaner, more efficient and affordable way. This shift will happen in steps, and traditional energy technologies, as well as more advanced ones like nuclear power, will accompany us on our journey toward Solar Economy.
At Fortum we feel passionate about Solar Economy, and we are working so hard at making it happen, you might think our lives depended on it. You know what? They do – and so does yours, so do all of ours! This is why we are eager to speed things up. But to bring everyone a brighter future is not something Fortum can do on our own. The smart societies of tomorrow need consistent energy policy-making, technology development, and commercially viable solutions, and last but not least, collaboration between many sectors, for example energy, IT, transportation, and construction. The more of us involved, and the more dedicated we are, the sooner Solar Economy can become reality. We are all important parts of creating energy that will improve life now, and for the generations to come. So let us reach for the sun together!