Energy inflow into a system is not enough to make that energy useful.
There must also be an energy conversion mechanism. Without that system,
evolution cannot work.
Any atom can be an energy conversion mechanism. Atoms routinely
convert between light energy, thermal energy, and chemical potential
energy. The energy conversion mechanism is ubiquitous.
A lack of an energy conversion system would not only invalidate
evolution; it would invalidate life itself. Evolution requires only
reproduction, natural selection, and heritable variation, all of which
are observed in life. The conversion of energy is a quality of life,
so the conversion system exists for evolution to work with.
