Imagine a world with abundant, clean energy. How different would our human civilization be with fewer energy limitations - less risk of climate change, no peak oil, and more renewable ways to provide power to an exploding global population?

To explore this future, the Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI) launches the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030 - a detailed roadmap of the highest impact energy technologies with a set of implementation strategies, applying the latest scientific and technological thinking.

Download the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030 (PDF), now available at: http://wgsi.org/content/equinox-blueprint-energy-2030

With a focus on lowering the carbon emissions of electricity generation, distribution and storage, the Equinox Blueprint was born from a multinational, interdisciplinary and multigenerational collaboration on Canadian soil, the Equinox Summit: Energy 2030 in June 2011. This gathering consisted of pioneering scientists, policy advisors, entrepreneurs and tomorrow's leaders, all invited to travel to the year 2030 and back.

What's in the Equinox Blueprint: Energy 2030?

The Blueprint consists of five main pillars, with implementation strategies and scientific support, including:

1. Energy storage technologies to enable renewable electricity generation
2. Enhanced geothermal, tapping into the Earth's heat using techniques we've already mastered
3. Advanced nuclear reactors for enhanced safety, utilizing inexhaustible resources (recycled uranium, thorium, and high level wastes) to close the fuel cycle
4. Off-grid electrification using flexible solar cells and self-sustaining micro-grids
5. Smart cities and electric transport for a global future dominated by urban living

MORE RELATED TO THIS STORY

• Download a short, concise overview in the Equinox Communiqué, the preliminary findings and foundation for the Blueprint

• Science Now:
  • http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/02/a-practical-blueprint-for-a-low-.html
  • Written by Dan Ferber with quotes by Hélène LeBlanc, the NDP MP that spoke at the session

• Nature News Blog:
  • http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/02/energy-summit-unveils-blueprint-for-change.html
  • Written by Nicola Jones

• Globe and Mail & CTV.ca: "Plotting a road map for a low carbon future"
  • http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/plotting-a-road-map-for-a-low-carbon-future/article2341616/
  • Written by Shawn McCarthy

• WGSI: Blueprint Launch News Release:
  • http://wgsi.org/content/newsroom?cm_mid=1223145&cm_crmid={A638BDC8-F712-E111-A992-005056800012}&cm_medium=email

• Radio Canada International: Listen to an interview with Prof. Jatin Nathwani (AUDIO LINK):
  • http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/16-20_2012-02-20-equinox-low-carbon-plan-released-in-vancouver/
    
    
• IMPRINT: "Waterloo professors spread their knowledge at international conference":
  • http://theimprint.ca/archives/9022