The BIGGEST problem with clean energy

If we are going to talk about a zero emission, renewable and carbon neutral energy than we need to compare what does it take to power what we currently have vs what it actually takes to create all the elements to use the new sources. Your comment about pump storage tech. Will the energy produced have a surplus after powering the pumps to pump the water back up? What kind of energy does it take to produce the batteries that will need to be used to store the energy? We will be so much better off to reduce are needs for energy.