SOLAR, WIND AND WAVES:

NATURAL LIMITS TO RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY WITHIN THE EARTH SYSTEM

Axel Kleidon, Fabian Gans, Lee Miller, Ryan Pavlick

Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Germany

We estimate the natural limits of renewable sources of energy by applying thermodynamics to the natural processes of the Earth system. Solar radiation, the heat flux from the interior, and gravitational forces drive chains of free energy generation and conversions, from heating differences to motion to geochemical cycling. We estimate the planetary limits of these conversion rates to provide an upper estimate of renewable energy availability in the Earth system, and discuss potential consequences if these sources of free energy are used to meet growing human energy demands.

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