Energy expert outlines the third energy revolution as humanity shifts from resource dependency to technology innovation

Academician Zhen Huang explores the Third Energy Revolution, shifting from fossil fuels to a technology-driven system powered by renewables and AI.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 4:56 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

Historical context of energy revolutions

The evolution of human energy use is characterized by three distinct eras of transformation. The First Energy Revolution, beginning in the mid-18th century with the steam engine, enabled the large-scale use of coal and the rise of industrial civilization. The second, starting in the mid-19th century, introduced electricity and internal combustion engines, establishing the modern centralized power systems relied upon today. Now, humanity is entering the Third Energy Revolution, which is uniquely driven by the global consensus on carbon neutrality and the necessity of addressing climate change through technological breakthroughs in renewable energy.

Shift from resource driven to technology driven paradigms

Unlike previous revolutions that relied on geographic resource endowments like coal and oil, the current transition is powered by innovation. Renewable sources such as wind and solar are being converted into stable electricity through advanced technology, making energy essentially inexhaustible and characterized by zero marginal costs. By the end of 2025, China's wind and solar capacity reached 1,800 GW, surpassing thermal power for the first time. This landmark shift indicates that the global energy transition is moving away from the simple substitution of fuel sources and toward a fundamental restructuring of the entire system.

Dual dimensions of re electrification

The core of the Third Energy Revolution lies in the electrification of energy and the zero-carbonization of electricity. This process involves two critical dimensions: direct and indirect electrification. Direct electrification replaces fossil fuel consumption in the industrial, transport, and building sectors with electric alternatives, such as electric arc furnaces and electric vehicles. Indirect electrification involves converting surplus green electricity into renewable fuels like hydrogen and ammonia. These green fuels provide a pathway for energy transfer across time and space, enabling large-scale, cross-seasonal storage that addresses the intermittency of wind and solar power.