[imtringued]

Once you get rid of the inefficient fossil fuel conversion step the answer becomes obvious.

Just think about how inefficient this chain of events is: sun -> plant -> coal -> coal plant -> electricity.

The answer renewables offer is: sun -> electricity, wind -> electricity.

Massive gains in efficiency can be had simply by switching to renewables. The way primary energy is counted is very favorable for fossil fuels. For renewables the secondary energy they produce is counted as primary energy but for fossil fuels the primary energy in the fuel itself is counted. This makes fossil fuels dominate the primary energy pie charts [0] even when the reality is completely different. The real primary energy share of renewables could be twice as high but we don't know, because of the way energy is counted.

[0] https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/g...

[qbaqbaqba]

> sun -> electricity, wind -> electricity.

You still need to convert sun/wind energy to electricity. And you have to store it. Or you may use a sail.