The first edition of the book “La Superpotencia Renovable” (“The Renewable Superpower”) by Daniel Pérez was published in October 2023 and, as I was involved in large renewable developments at the time, I made it possible to get hold of it early. That is how I began reading it in November 2023.

It is totally recommended to anyone in the Spanish energy sector and highly recommended in any other country where the great challenge of the energy transition, supporting the development of energy production through renewable energy sources, is being considered.

The author addresses the urgent and vital energy transition, arguing forcefully that Spain has the potential and the necessity to become a global leader in renewable energy. The book tries to dismantle the narrative of inaction and skepticism, presenting an optimistic but well-founded vision of the viability of a 100% renewable energy future for the country.

Daniel Pérez seeks to inspire a change in mindset, demonstrating that the transition is not only an environmental obligation but also an unprecedented economic and social opportunity. To achieve this goal, Daniel Pérez delves into a multifaceted analysis of the current and future energy situation. He does this by breaking down common myths and fallacies about renewable energies, providing solid data and concrete examples.

His methodology is based on combining a deep technical knowledge of the sector with a strategic and economic vision, which allows him to present solid arguments about the profitability, supply security, and job creation associated with the green revolution.

pag. 65. He makes an interesting call to “the missing money problem”, that is, the problem of the lack of sufficient remuneration for renewable technologies” and precisely mentions Jeremy Rifkin on the zero marginal cost.

The author explores the different renewable technologies in detail, from solar photovoltaic and wind to solar thermal and hydroelectric, highlighting Spain’s vast potential in each of them.

He goes beyond mere technical description, analyzing how these sources can be integrated into the electrical grid, how the challenges of intermittency will be managed, and how digitalization and energy storage will play a crucial role in this transformation.

A fundamental part of his analysis focuses on the current energy model, criticizing its dependence on fossil fuels, its hidden costs, and its environmental impact.

Page 74 “ the German suspension of the authorization process for Nord Stream 2, on February 22, 2022, and, two days later, the invasion of Ukraine caused electricity prices to rise from 205 €/MWh for the same day the 24th (negotiated on the 23rd, without taking the invasion into account) up to the record 544 €/MWh on March 8, 2022”

Page 75. To protect itself from that year’s heatwave and the effect of the invasion “France had to make exceptions and raised the permissible river temperature to cool the nuclear plants and save the situation ”

The book also dedicates attention to the economic and social aspects of the transition. Pérez argues that investment in renewables is not an expense, but a strategic investment that will generate significant returns in terms of GDP, qualified employment, and competitiveness.

He addresses how this transformation can revitalize rural areas, generate new professions, and improve the quality of life of citizens through cleaner air and cheaper energy.

Page 101. The fracking situation. “… in the United States the rocks where the gas is trapped are habitually private property, in Europe the subsoil is usually public space, which makes it much more difficult to convince a State sensitive to citizen opposition than a private owner eager to gain yield from a resource that was previously unexploited ” (..) “ Europe has about 14,000 bcm of non-conventional gas, compared to about 16,000 bcm of reserves in the United States ”

In his conclusions, Daniel Pérez emphasizes that the “renewable superpower” is not a utopia, but an achievable and necessary destination for Spain. He maintains that the country possesses exceptional natural resources (sun and wind), an experienced industry, and human talent capable of leading this transition.

The key lies in political will, collaboration between the public and private sectors, and a committed citizenry.

Page 163. “Renewables on land (or at sea) are located where there is wind, sun, or water, even if that means installing generation plants in territories with less energy consumption, far from cities or industrial centers. In Spain, Aragon is a clear example of this. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more kilometers of high-voltage electrical grid to transport that energy to the consumption centers”

Pérez concludes that Spain’s energy future must be not only renewable, but also democratic and decentralized. He proposes a model in which citizens and communities have an active role in generating and managing their own energy, which would lead to greater equity and resilience of the system.

Page 223. Details the priorities in the energy transition: energy saving and efficiency, renewables, storage and demand management, electrification, and finally green hydrogen or other types of solutions derived from biogas or biofuels.

In summary, Daniel Pérez offers a clear and convincing roadmap for Spain not only to meet its climate goals but also to position itself at the forefront of the global green economy, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for future generations.

Page 332 “Before building castles in the air, you have to build renewables on the ground. And the challenge is not without obstacles”

Recommendation by Jose Ramon Largo (CEO at RAMPALLO Consulting S.L.) on the edition by Arpa & Alfil Ediciones, published in october 2023. ISBN 9788419558299.