Innovation has never been a straight line. It’s messy, imperfect, and full of lessons that only become clear in hindsight. The energy transition we’re living through is no different. It’s not perfect, and it won’t happen overnight. But the beauty of innovation lies in the process—learning, adapting, and growing as we move toward something different.
As humans, we’re hardwired to innovate. It’s in our biology to push boundaries and create. I think about the automobile. When they first appeared, no one thought they’d replace the horse and buggy. There were no paved roads, just dirt tracks, no suburbs, no gas stations—it seemed impractical, even unnecessary. Yet, those early cars sparked our visions and creativity. They showed us what was possible, and slowly, infrastructure and society evolved to support them. It took close to 100 years to build the system we have today, but it started with a bold idea and small, imperfect steps forward.
That’s exactly how the energy transition will unfold. Its going to take time; we’re going to make mistakes; we will learn and pivot as time marches forward. We may not know where we’ll be in 5, 10, or 50 years, but what we do know is that staying still isn’t an option.
The Hard Work of Turning Dreams Into Reality
Everything is created twice. It’s first imagined in the mind and then brought to life in the real world. But between those two stages is where the magic and the challenges happen.
This is where mistakes, failures, and setbacks occur. And while these moments can feel like roadblocks, they’re actually the building blocks of innovation. Mistakes teach us what doesn’t work. Failures point us toward better solutions. The key is to learn, correct course along the way and keep moving forward.
The energy transition is no different. It will test us, challenge us, and require us to collaborate like never before. That means listening to all perspectives, even those we may disagree with. Listening, learning and understanding each other points of view is the way to create solutions that truly work.
Progress Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
On a personal note, I’ve learned that progress doesn’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to be 100% all the time. When I was 25, I decided to become a vegetarian out of compassion for animals. Yet, I still wore leather work boots. Some people saw this as hypocritical, but to me, I was taking steps towards something I believed in. I learned to measure the gain and not the gap. Measure the 90% betterment, not the 10% you feel you fell short.
Fast-forward to today, and my choices reflect that same principle. I drive an electric car but still use a gas-powered van for certain activities. I own an electric leaf blower and a gas-powered weed eater. These tools work for me now but my choices will evolve as different options come available and as long as the tools complement my lifestyle.
This isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. It’s measuring the gains you made, not where you fell short, about making choices that align with your values and being open to change as new innovation moves forward.
A Future We Create Together
Sustainable technologies like all innovation will not be perfect, will they ever be, do we really know what we need in 10 or 25 years? The truth lies somewhere in between, and that’s where the exciting work happens.
We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we each have the power to shape it. Whether you’re leading the charge or just taking small steps, your contributions matter. The energy transition isn’t about everyone doing the same thing—it’s about each of us being open to a new conversation.
So, follow your passion. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Stay curious and keep learning. And most importantly, take action. Small steps add up, and together, we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s triumphs.
The beauty of innovation is in the imperfect journey.
– Curtis Moore
CEO, Thrive Electrify
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