Energy Singularity: From Scarcity to Abundance

Abstract

The ability to extract and use energy played a decisive role in the development of human civilization. Energy consumption is growing exponentially, thus the only way to avoid future energy crisis is to explore renewable, more abundant sources.

It is known that some technology fields, particularly information and communication technologies, develop according to the “accelerating acceleration” principle. This paper analyzes the applicability of this pattern to energy production and consumption. It assumes that the development of advanced storage technologies and “smart” power distribution will lead to the creation of “global energy network” (Enernet). With the Enernet, energy and power will become abundant and basically free, just like information and bandwidth are today thanks to the Internet. This creates the prerequisites for coming “energy singularity” (“energularity”), which could happen in the next century – in result the humanity will gain full control over all energy available on the planet, and will reach a new level of development (type I according to the Kardashev scale).

“Energularity” is similar in some ways to the concepts of the “technological singularity” (intelligence explosion) and “methuselarity” (annual longevity extension for more than one year). Achieving “energularity” seems fundamental to improving the global quality of life and to exploring the universe.