Daily CO2 level,
entropic measure or driver for change?

The CO2 level reported on the main page is a daily measurement of the CO2 level. The data is taken from the longest continuous measurement in the world at Mauna Loa, better known for the Keeling Curve [link][1]. There is no longer a scientific debate on the influence of CO2 on climate and the influence of us on the amount of CO2. There is scientific debate on the magnitude and speed of change as the complex ‘earth system’ contains numerous feedback-loops and reservoirs. Many models suggest irreversible change at some CO2 threshold.  At a certain point either reservoirs of CO2 and methane will be released (e.g. permafrost), or ice will melt (influencing albedo). 380ppm has been mentioned a point-of-no-return, also 400ppm has been mentioned [2]. We have passed both stations. Even with a pandemic and reduced emissions we will overshoot these numbers. 

I was born at 350ppm, we can trace this back to 1985. As the earth system is stressed more and more; our civilization, fertility and economic prosperity will eventually collapse. This, and the associated crisis or stagnation will affect your children in this century. And as time progresses, we have a choice; see the continuous change as entropy, bound to increase. Or flatten the curve. 

The latter requires a change in the ‘human system’ – this is not just a matter of ‘stop what you are doing’. A strong human network and a strong economy are needed to facilitate change. We believe economic growth and a sustainable society go hand in hand. We believe that the greatest business opportunities come to those who contribute to change as sustainable growth equals return on investment. 

We believe that giving people the power to participate in the energy markets and communities generates new value steams and that proactive buildings will increase comfort and health for people. The traditional system is organized top-down is relies on big number statistics to reduce imbalance while key question is ‘where and when do users need energy’. The traditional systems focus on (selling)volume and increases barriers to be rewarded for positive contributions to the energy system. 

Therefore, we need a new energy paradigm. A platform to share sustainable resources, energy and services. A platform that connects people, technology and business. A platform where users are not consumers, but contributors in an internet-of-energy. This requires a) a transparent market where origin of energy and contributions make a difference b) destruction of the current top-down paradigm and c) active participation, enabled by technology and data sharing. 

Energy is just a mean to deliver value of comfort, mobility, cohesion and health. However, it is a mean that can be monetized in 2021, such that savings can be used to allow for building the Smart City. 

By creating energy communities and smart buildings we can use the required energy now that it is available, and we can reward user who share energy and contribute to the community. Meanwhile we balance the network, reduce costs and losses. Smart buildings, that are proactive in facilitating user needs and community needs are essential. The investment needed for this is paid by adding value to the energy system, reducing local consumption and increasing health. 

Data-driven services form the cornerstone of this system. By sharing data, energy and services we optimize the value. More people, more buildings, more connections mean more value. Individual people, buildings, vehicles stay in control of their own preferences – ’the local optimum is leading’. They determine how they want to interact. This is not a zero-sum game. By working in local communities, which are designed to ensure that what is good for me, is also good for the community, we avoid ‘the tragedy of the commons‘.  We therefore need a transparent market where cost, CO2 footprint and impact are value drivers. This is achieved simply by sharing information and flexibility (the ability to collectively respond to events).

Note that in such a system, every investment in local energy reduction (e.g., in buildings) means reduction in cost at local level, and at community level. This, in turn, means that return-on-investment for sustainability measures increases. 

So where do we start? By doing two things 1) create your long-term sustainability plans in the context of the new energy paradigm to ensure the right investments at the right time 2) start small; connect buildings to the internet-of-energy. While the latter can be achieved by measurement, software and getting rid of the traditional utility company (see concepts), the former is a key challenge for companies. Careful program design means that long term goals are balanced with return on (each) investment. Given the volatile market and changing regulation, flexibility is needed to ensure the best next step at each moment in time. We develop strategic programs that facilitate this. 

[1] C. D. Keeling, S. C. Piper, R. B. Bacastow, M. Wahlen, T. P. Whorf, M. Heimann, and H. A. Meijer, Exchanges of atmospheric CO2 and 13CO2 with the terrestrial biosphere and oceans from 1978 to 2000. I. Global aspects, SIO Reference Series, No. 01-06, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, 88 pages, 2001. http://escholarship.org/uc/item/09v319r9 

[2] PNAS, https://www.pnas.org/content/106/6/1704 – Note: the article considers PPMV – this cannot be compared to PPM.

[0] CO2 data is scrubbed from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at  https://keelingcurve.ucsd.edu/permissions-and-data-sources/