| Type | |
| Time of origin | Mid-1600s |
| Place of origin | |
| Era of dominance | Pre-20th century |
| Main application | Manufacturing and industry |
| Successor technology |
Renewable energy is defined as energy that comes from natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated over time, in contrast to non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels. In this alternate timeline, renewable energy was first discovered and utilized in the mid-1600s, rather than the late 20th century as was the case in our universe.
The main focus of renewable energy in this alternate timeline was hydropower, with limited use of wind power and geothermal power. With the discovery of hydropower, European nations soon began exploiting this resource, building large hydroelectric power plants and networks of canals to distribute the electricity generated.
The widespread use of hydropower allowed a massive increase in manufacturing and industry due to cheap and abundant energy. Factories and workshops could be powered with minimal pollution, allowing for the growth of cities and urbanization. This also allowed Europe to bypass the Industrial Revolution seen in our universe and instead enter an age of abundance and technological prosperity.
Thanks to the use of renewable energy, Europe developed into a relatively carbon-neutral civilization from the 17th to 19th centuries. Forests were allowed to grow and thrive, and pollution was largely limited to manufacturing waste. This resulted in a much cleaner and healthier environment for Europeans to live in, and allowed for a more sustainable development of society.
However, by the turn of the 20th century, renewable energy in this alternate timeline began to give way to fusion power. After the development of the necessary technology, fusion power plants began springing up across Europe, providing even more abundant, cheap, and carbon-free energy. This allowed for even further advancements in manufacturing and technology, leading to a highly advanced and sustainable civilization.
In our universe, renewable energy is increasingly being looked to as a solution to climate change and a means to move away from fossil fuels. However, in this alternate timeline, society was able to make the switch to climate-neutral energy much earlier, allowing for a more sustainable future.
