The 10 Most Promising Green Technologies for the Next Decade

The world is changing. We're switching from fossil fuels to greener technologies, from cars that pollute the air to ones that run on electricity and hydrogen. But how do you know which green techs are worth investing in? Here's a list of ten promising green technologies with good odds of success over the next decade:

Solar energy continues to improve.

One of the most promising green technologies for the next decade is solar energy. Solar panels are becoming more efficient, and they're being used in more places with less infrastructure than ever before.

You can now buy a solar panel at Walmart or Home Depot that will power your home while you sleep (or work). You can even use it to charge your phone! And because they're so cheap and easy to install, there's no reason not to go green—especially if you live somewhere sunny like Arizona or Hawaii where sunshine is abundant year-round.

Wind turbines keep spinning.

Wind farm developers are getting creative with their designs, and the most promising ones are on the cusp of becoming mainstream in the United States. If you live in a state that has more than 100 MW per year installed capacity (such as Iowa), then your electricity producer is likely to be an operating wind farm by 2020—and even sooner if you live in California or Texas.

The main reason why this happens is that new technology allows them to be taller and bigger than ever before: A new generation of larger-than-average turbines have entered service over the past few years and will continue to grow in size through 2021; meanwhile newer models incorporate improved aerodynamics and other features that can improve efficiency further still along these lines (see below). And since both are cheaper than ever before given falling costs across all industries involved with building them up—including labor costs thanks primarily due its being automated through software programs such as SCADA systems—further reductions could bring prices down further still without impacting on performance too much either way."

Recycling rates are improving.

Recycling rates are improving. The US recycling rate is at a record high, and the EU recycling rate is at a record high. Recycling rates have improved in the last decade, as well. Many countries around the world have seen significant improvements in their independent efforts to reduce waste generation and increase recycling rates over time:

The Netherlands has achieved an impressive 9% household waste diversion rate since 2005—a jump from just 6% when it started its program in 1992.*
Denmark achieved its first-ever national zero landfill goal by 2012.*
Germany has seen a 20% drop in municipal solid waste since 1990.*

More efficient LED lighting.

The next decade will see LEDs take over the lighting industry. These lights are more efficient, last longer, and are more durable than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. They also cost less to purchase and operate. The most important factor is that they're environmentally friendly—LEDs don't contain mercury, so they're not hazardous to human health or the environment at large once they've been taken out of your home or workplace (unlike traditional lightbulbs).

Hydrogen fuel cells are becoming more popular.

Hydrogen fuel cells are a clean alternative to fossil fuels. They produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as a byproduct.

Hydrogen fuel cells can be used in cars and homes, but they're also ideal for portable applications like power tools, portable lighting, and even cell phones. These devices are efficient because they generate electricity without producing any carbon emissions or pollution from burning fossil fuels (like gasoline). They use 100% renewable energy sources—hydrogen gas found naturally in air or water—and produce zero waste products that pollute the environment when burned for energy production.

Energy storage is getting cheaper.

The cost of energy storage technologies has been going down in recent years, as companies such as Tesla and General Electric have made advances in battery technology that reduce the size, weight, and volume of these devices. As a result, they're now being used for grid balancing purposes—as well as other non-grid applications like storing power from solar panels overnight or during cloudy weather so it can be used when the sun comes out again.

Energy storage will become increasingly important to renewable energy systems over time because it allows them to better manage their output levels throughout different conditions. If you're using wind turbines during periods when there aren't enough wind currents flowing through your region then storing excess power could help smooth out those fluctuations without having to rely on fossil fuels (like coal) at all times; this would allow more renewables overall since they won't need additional backup sources like natural gas plants do today."

Efficient cars are becoming attractive.

As the price of gasoline has fallen, electric vehicles have become more attractive. Even though they can be more expensive to buy at first, they typically pay for themselves over time as you save on fuel costs and maintenance costs. And because there are so many different models available now (with prices ranging from $20,000 to $60,000), you're sure to find one that fits your budget and lifestyle—and offers the most bang for your buck!

That said: don't think you have to spend a fortune on an electric car just yet. You'll still be able to enjoy all the benefits of this technology when it comes out in 2020 or later.

Nuclear power is back in the game.

The past decade has been a tough one for nuclear power, which had fallen out of favor due to concerns over safety and cost. But since that time, it's become clear that these fears were unfounded—Nuclear energy is safer than ever before; it's also cheaper than most other sources of clean energy (and emits zero carbon dioxide).

There are many reasons why nuclear plants are thriving today: They provide reliable baseload power at a low cost; they're built to last longer than any other type of plant; they can ramp up quickly when needed; they don't need subsidies from taxpayers or ratepayers like wind farms do—and finally, because no fuel exists inside them once they're shut down for good (meaning no waste), there's no need for expensive storage facilities like those used by solar panels or wind turbines.

Green building is going mainstream.

Green building is going mainstream. As the popularity of green technologies continues to rise and their benefits become more apparent, it's no longer just a luxury for the wealthy. The cost savings are substantial; big companies like Google have made themselves out to be leaders in this field by implementing eco-friendly practices into their workplace design, while smaller firms have begun taking advantage of low-cost solutions like solar panels and insulation.

These days you can find everything from high-end homes built with all-natural materials such as straw bales or bamboo down sleeping mattresses at affordable prices through to energy-efficient refrigerators that use less power than conventional models (and even freezers!). Even your car can be made more environmentally friendly by adding an electric motor starter instead of an internal combustion engine system!

Vertical farming is turning heads.

Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, rather than in a conventional manner, in fields. It can be done anywhere in the world—even on rooftops or skyscrapers. Vertical farms are a form of urban agriculture that can be practiced anywhere in the world and have been around since Roman times but have gained popularity recently because they require less land than traditional farming methods do and also produce food more efficiently by using less water and energy to grow crops (and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions).

The future looks greener by the day.

The future is looking greener by the day. Many promising technologies will help the environment, and they're all in their early stages of development, so it's only a matter of time before they become commonplace.

Some experts predict that green technology will be an integral part of our lives within just a few years—and who knows? Maybe even sooner than that!

Conclusion

All of these technological advances are accelerating rapidly and will have an impact on our lives in the next decade. They have the potential to make us more energy-efficient, reduce our carbon footprint, and even save lives by reducing pollution. The challenge will be finding ways to integrate them into our daily lives as quickly as possible so that they can benefit everyone who uses them.