Energy independence

[3][4][5] A study found that transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems reduces risks from mining, trade and political dependence because renewable energy systems don't need fuel – they depend on trade only for the acquisition of materials and components during construction.

[7] Ways to manage the variability of renewable energy – such as little solar power on cloudy days – include dispatchable generation and smart grids.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $160 million in initial funding to TerraPower and X-energy to build advanced nuclear reactors that will be affordable to construct and operate.

[10] In 2020, The Energy Impact Center launched its OPEN100 project, the world's first open-source blueprint for the design, construction, and financing of nuclear power plants.

The European dependence on Russian energy is a good example because Russia is Europe's main supplier of hard coal, crude oil, and natural gas.

[25] Accordingly, economic and political independence would be followed by high-stakes energy agreements, wherein some argue the fiscal power would lie with Scotland.

[27] Therefore, less reliance on international gas supplies, and a focus on low-emission local energy is a key tenet of the "Building a New Scotland" prospectus promoting Scottish Independence.