The History Of Renewable Energy

The real story of the history of renewable energy is far weirder, older, and more consequential than the version most people know.

The Ancient Origins of Renewable Power

While most accounts of renewable energy's history begin in the 20th century, the story actually stretches back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations around the world harnessed the power of wind, water, and the sun to drive technological progress long before the Industrial Revolution.

The earliest known use of renewable energy comes from ancient Mesopotamia, where engineers built the first windmills as early as 2000 BC. These simple vertical-axis turbines used wind to grind grain and pump water, laying the groundwork for the modern wind power industry.

In ancient Greece, the Minoans and Egyptians developed sophisticated hydropower systems, using flowing water to turn waterwheels that powered mills and irrigation. Meanwhile, the Chinese were the first to collect and use solar energy, building sophisticated passive solar heating systems in their buildings as early as the 4th century BC.

Renewable Energy in the Middle Ages

Renewable energy technologies continued to advance throughout the Middle Ages. In Europe, windmills and waterwheels became ubiquitous, powering everything from flour mills to sawmills to ore crushers. By the 13th century, the Dutch had pioneered advanced multi-sailed windmills that could generate up to 30 horsepower.

"The power of the wind and the power of the flowing stream are the gifts of God. Why should we not use them?" - Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, 1671

In the Islamic world, engineers built the first concentrated solar thermal systems, using mirrors to heat water and power primitive steam engines. The technology spread along trade routes, becoming a staple of Middle Eastern architecture.

The Fossil Fuel Revolution and Backlash

The dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century brought a shift away from renewable energy. The harnessing of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas fueled rapid industrialization and economic growth, pushing renewable technologies to the sidelines.

However, the environmental and social costs of fossil fuels soon became apparent. As early as the 1830s, social reformers and scientists began advocating for a return to renewable energy sources. One of the most vocal was John Etzler, a German-American inventor who designed ambitious plans for large-scale solar power and other renewable systems.

The Renewable Energy Renaissance

In the 20th century, a growing awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels led to a resurgence of interest in renewable energy. The 1970s oil crises spurred major investments in wind, solar, and geothermal power, while the threat of climate change drove further development in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Today, renewable energy sources account for over 25% of global electricity generation, with millions of people employed in the industry worldwide. As concerns about climate change and energy security continue to grow, renewable energy's ancient roots are poised to power the future.