Goals: Energizing Earth
Our journey to Type 1 status demands a complete transformation of our energy landscape. These goals represent key milestones in harnessing and distributing the full energy potential of our planet.
1. Exponential Energy Growth
Achieve 800,000 TWh yearly global energy production by 2054
This ambitious target represents around 5x increase from our current global energy production of approximately 175,000 TWh. Reaching 800,000 TWh is a critical milestone on our path, as it would provide the energy abundance necessary to solve many of humanity’s pressing challenges. This level of energy production could power advanced technologies for climate restoration, enable large-scale space exploration, and provide energy access to every corner of the globe. Achieving this goal will require unprecedented coordination between nations, massive investments in new energy technologies, and a fundamental restructuring of our global energy infrastructure.
Maintain a minimum 5.5% compound annual growth rate in energy production
To reach our 800,000 TWh target by 2054, we must sustain a minimum 5.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in energy production. This rate is significantly higher than the current global energy growth rate of about 2% per year. Maintaining such rapid growth will demand relentless innovation, streamlined regulatory processes, and a global commitment to energy expansion. This growth rate implies doubling our energy production roughly every 13 years, a pace that will drive rapid advancements in energy technologies and dramatically reshape our global economy. It will require not just expanding existing energy sources, but also rapidly developing and scaling new ones.
Milestone: Reach 440.000 TWh production by 2040
This interim milestone of 440,000 TWh/year by 2040 serves several crucial purposes. First, it provides a clear mid-point check to ensure we’re on track for our 2054 goal of 800,000 TWh/year. Reaching 440,000 TWh/year would represent more than doubling our current energy production of 175,200 TWh/year in less than two decades, a clear indicator of whether we’re achieving the necessary growth rate. Second, this milestone will likely coincide with several key technological breakthroughs, such as commercial fusion power or large-scale space-based solar, which could accelerate our progress towards higher production levels. Finally, achieving 440,000 TWh/year will provide tangible benefits to global society, potentially eliminating energy poverty and enabling energy-intensive solutions to global challenges, thereby building momentum and support for pushing towards our 2054 target of 800,000 TWh/year.
2. Renewable Domination
Increase renewable energy share to 80% of total production by 2045
Transitioning to 80% renewable energy by 2045 represents a monumental shift in our global energy paradigm. This goal requires not only a massive scale-up of existing renewable technologies like solar, wind, and hydroelectric, but also the rapid development and deployment of emerging renewable sources such as advanced geothermal, tidal, and bioenergy systems. Achieving this target will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing our ability to mitigate climate change. It will also necessitate significant advancements in energy storage and smart grid technologies to manage the intermittency of many renewable sources. This transition will reshape global economics, potentially creating millions of new jobs in the renewable sector. The 80% target strikes a balance between ambition and practicality, leaving room for nuclear and other non-renewable sources where they may still be necessary.
Deploy 2 TW of new solar capacity annually by 2035
The goal of deploying 2 TW of new solar capacity each year by 2035 represents a massive acceleration of our current solar installation rate. For context, the world added about 292 GW of solar capacity in 2023, so this goal represents more than a sixfold increase in annual deployments. Achieving this will require significant advancements in solar cell efficiency, dramatic reductions in production costs, and the development of new installation techniques. It may involve innovative approaches such as solar roadways, building-integrated photovoltaics, and large-scale desert solar farms. This rapid solar expansion will need to be coupled with advancements in energy storage and transmission to effectively utilize this vast new capacity. The goal will drive innovation in the solar industry, potentially leading to breakthroughs in areas like perovskite solar cells or multi-junction cells that could revolutionize solar energy production.
Achieve 100% renewable energy in 50% of countries by 2040
This goal aims to have half of the world’s nations running entirely on renewable energy by 2040, showcasing the feasibility of a fully renewable energy system on a national scale. This target acknowledges that different countries have varying renewable resources and energy needs, allowing for a phased global transition. Achieving 100% renewable energy will require these countries to completely overhaul their energy infrastructure, from generation to transmission to consumption. It will drive innovations in grid management, energy storage, and demand response systems. These pioneering nations will serve as real-world laboratories, providing valuable lessons and technologies that can be applied globally. This goal will likely begin with smaller nations or those richly endowed with renewable resources, but as technologies improve, even large, energy-intensive countries should be able to join their ranks. The success of these nations will be crucial in building global confidence in a renewable energy future and accelerating the transition in the remaining countries.
3. Nuclear Renaissance
Commission 2,000 new Generation IV nuclear reactors by 2050
This ambitious goal aims to dramatically scale up advanced nuclear power generation, leveraging the latest innovations in reactor design. Generation IV reactors represent a significant leap forward in nuclear technology, offering improved safety, increased efficiency, and reduced waste compared to earlier designs. These reactors include technologies like molten salt reactors, high-temperature gas reactors, and fast neutron reactors. Deploying 2,000 such reactors globally by 2050 would provide a massive boost to clean, reliable baseload power generation. This goal requires not only technological advancements but also streamlined regulatory processes, public education to address nuclear concerns, and international cooperation on nuclear safety and non-proliferation. Achieving this target could potentially provide several terawatts of clean energy, playing a crucial role in our transition to a Type 1 civilization while helping to mitigate climate change. It would also drive innovation in related fields such as materials science, nuclear waste management, and high-temperature industrial processes.
Achieve commercial fusion power generation by 2035
Realizing commercial fusion power by 2035 would represent one of the most significant scientific and engineering achievements in human history. Fusion promises virtually limitless, clean energy with minimal radioactive waste. This goal involves moving from current experimental reactors like ITER to fully operational, net-energy-producing fusion plants, with fusion ultimately providing 20% of global energy by 2060. Achieving this requires overcoming immense scientific and engineering challenges, such as sustaining plasma at millions of degrees Celsius and developing materials that can withstand extreme conditions. Success would likely involve advancements in superconducting magnets, plasma physics, and neutron-resistant materials. Commercial fusion would revolutionize our energy landscape, potentially providing a major portion of baseload power for a Type 1 civilization. It could also have spillover benefits in fields like space propulsion, materials science, and high-energy physics. While ambitious, recent progress in fusion research, including breakthrough results from the National Ignition Facility and advancements in tokamak design, suggest this goal might be within reach.
Deploy small modular reactors in 100 countries by 2045
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) represent a flexible, scalable approach to nuclear power that could dramatically expand global access to clean energy. These compact reactors, typically generating 300 MW or less, can be factory-built and easily transported, making them ideal for a wide range of applications and locations. Deploying SMRs in 100 countries by 2045 would significantly democratize access to nuclear power, allowing nations with smaller grids or limited infrastructure to benefit from this technology. This goal requires not only technological maturation of SMR designs but also the development of international frameworks for SMR regulation, safety, and waste management. Achieving this target could provide reliable, clean energy to remote areas, islands, and developing nations, potentially eliminating energy poverty in many regions. It would also drive innovation in modular construction techniques, advanced materials, and grid integration technologies. SMRs could serve as ideal complements to renewable energy sources, providing stable baseload power to balance intermittent solar and wind generation. This widespread deployment would also build global expertise in nuclear technologies, paving the way for larger nuclear projects and potentially accelerating fusion development.
4. Global Energy Grid
Complete a superconducting global energy grid connecting all continents by 2055
This ambitious goal envisions a planet-wide energy network that would fundamentally transform how we generate, distribute, and consume electricity. A superconducting global grid would enable the efficient transfer of vast amounts of energy across great distances with minimal losses. This would allow us to harness renewable energy sources where they’re most abundant (e.g., solar power from deserts, wind power from coastal regions) and distribute it globally. The project would require laying thousands of kilometers of high-temperature superconducting cables, including challenging undersea connections between continents. It would necessitate breakthrough advancements in materials science to develop more efficient and cost-effective superconductors that operate at higher temperatures. This grid would also require the creation of international energy exchange agreements and the standardization of global energy systems. Successfully implementing this would smooth out energy supply and demand mismatches across time zones and seasons, potentially reducing the need for energy storage and making renewable energy more viable on a global scale. It represents a key step towards the energy unification characteristic of a Type 1 civilization.
Implement AI-managed smart grids in 90% of urban areas worldwide by 2040
This goal aims to revolutionize urban energy management through the widespread implementation of AI-driven smart grids. These advanced systems would use machine learning algorithms to predict energy demand, optimize distribution, and seamlessly integrate various energy sources including renewables and distributed generation. By targeting 90% of urban areas worldwide, this initiative would cover the majority of global energy consumption. AI-managed grids could dynamically balance supply and demand in real-time, reducing waste and improving efficiency. They could also enable advanced demand response systems, where AI adjusts energy usage of smart appliances and systems to match available supply. This level of smart grid penetration would require significant upgrades to existing infrastructure, the deployment of millions of IoT sensors, and the development of sophisticated AI systems capable of managing complex, multi-source grids. It would also necessitate addressing cybersecurity concerns and ensuring grid resilience. Achieving this goal would dramatically increase energy efficiency in urban areas, facilitate higher penetration of renewable energy, and provide valuable data for future energy planning and policy-making.
Achieve 99.99% uptime for global energy distribution by 2050
This goal sets an extremely high standard for the reliability of our global energy infrastructure, aiming for “four nines” of uptime – allowing for less than an hour of downtime per year. This level of reliability is crucial for a Type 1 civilization, where uninterrupted energy supply is vital for everything from life support systems to global communication networks. Achieving this goal requires not just technological advancements, but a complete reimagining of our energy infrastructure. It would involve implementing extensive redundancies, self-healing grid technologies, and predictive maintenance systems powered by AI and IoT. We would need to develop more resilient energy storage solutions and distribution systems that can withstand extreme weather events, solar flares, and other potential disruptions. This goal also implies significant advancements in cybersecurity to protect against digital threats. Achieving 99.99% uptime globally would require unprecedented international cooperation to ensure consistent standards and interoperability across all national and regional grids. Success would mean near-constant access to energy for all of humanity, enabling a level of technological and economic development characteristic of a Type 1 civilization.
5. Energy Storage Revolution
Develop and deploy grid-scale storage with 5 TWh capacity in every major city by 2045
To achieve 5 TWh capacity storage in every major city by 2045, we’ll need a multi-pronged approach. First, we’ll scale up existing technologies like lithium-ion batteries, pumped hydro, and compressed air energy storage. Simultaneously, we’ll fast-track the development and deployment of emerging technologies such as flow batteries, solid-state batteries, and gravity-based storage systems. This will require massive investment in research, manufacturing capabilities, and installation infrastructure. We’ll need to establish international collaborations to share best practices and overcome regulatory hurdles. Additionally, we’ll implement AI-driven predictive maintenance and optimization systems to maximize the efficiency and lifespan of these storage facilities.
Achieve commercial viability of novel storage technologies (e.g., antimatter containment) by 2050
Achieving commercial viability of revolutionary storage technologies like antimatter containment by 2050 will demand unprecedented scientific breakthroughs. We’ll need to establish dedicated research institutions focused solely on antimatter production, storage, and energy extraction. This will involve significant advancements in particle physics, materials science, and containment field technology. Parallel research streams will explore other exotic storage methods such as quantum batteries, room-temperature superconductors for lossless energy storage, and even theoretical concepts like zero-point energy harvesting. We’ll need to create a global network of particle accelerators and antimatter factories, along with robust safety protocols and public education campaigns to address concerns about these powerful new technologies.
Reduce cost of grid-scale storage to under $5/kWh by 2040
Reducing the cost of grid-scale storage to under $5/kWh by 2040 will require a combination of technological innovation, economies of scale, and policy support. We’ll focus on improving manufacturing processes, exploring abundant and low-cost materials, and enhancing the longevity and cycle life of storage systems. Advanced AI and machine learning algorithms will optimize battery chemistry and design. We’ll implement large-scale recycling programs to recover and reuse critical materials, reducing raw material costs. Governments will need to provide incentives and supportive policies to accelerate adoption and drive down costs. Additionally, we’ll develop innovative financing models and energy markets that properly value the multiple services provided by energy storage, creating new revenue streams that offset costs.
These goals are designed to be ambitious yet potentially achievable with global cooperation and accelerated technological development. They represent key milestones on our path to becoming a Type 1 civilization, capable of harnessing and efficiently using all the energy available on Earth.