Tag Archives: renewable
Obama Delivers Renewed Renewable Energy Support For The US
27 June 2013 One of the most powerful people on Earth, US President Barack Obama, gave a passionate address on climate change on 25 June during a visit to Georgetown University in Washington DC. Obama wants to cut carbon pollution and reduce global warming and told an audience of students and visitors: ‘I refuse to condemn your generation, and future generations, to a planet that is beyond fixing.’ Among broad measures outlined, Obama wants to see a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the promotion of renewable energy while aiming to hit a 17% cut in carbon emissions recorded in 2005 by the end of this decade. He also took the brave decision to bypass a Congress stuck in stalemate to issue an executive memo to the Environmental protection Agency (EPA)calling for new rules for power plants to limit GHG emissions. The transportation sector has seen calls for further increased fuel economy standards for heavy duty trucks, with the plan also stating ‘biofuels have an important role to play in increasing our energy security, fostering rural economic development and reducing GHG emissions from this sector’. The action plan also reaffirms the Obama administration’s support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and points to investment by the government into research and development for next-generation biofuels. The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) says the advanced ethanol industry stands behind the Obama administration in its effort to combat climate change. ‘The President is right to identify the renewable fuel standard and existing federal regulations as critical to the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector,’ states AEC executive director Brooke Coleman. ‘Pound for pound, advanced ethanol is the most carbon reductive alternative to gasoline in the world and the RFS is driving the commercial deployment of our industry.’ Furthermore, the action plan informs that the US has more than doubled electrical generation from renewable sources during Obama’s first term, and he hopes to do the same again by 2020. To help achieve that target, the Department of the Interior has been directed to approve 10GW of new renewable capacity by 2020. The plan also notes the Department of Defense is committed to deploying 3GW of renewable energy on military installations by 2025, including biomass. ‘There are two major areas where this administration’s aid can make a big difference for the biomass industry,’ Bob Cleaves, president of the Biomass Power Association, was quoted as saying. ‘The first would be a commitment to the use of federal lands for renewable energy production and, secondly, a confirmation of biomass’ value as a renewable energy source.’ Federal agencies are also setting a new goal to reach 100MW of installed renewable capacity across the federally subsidized housing stock by 2020. – See more at: http://www.bioenergy…h.CWQL39Nk.dpuf Continue reading
IEA: Renewable Power To Exceed Gas By 2016 And Double Nuclear
Silvio Marcacci CleanTechnica Natural gas is widely considered the bridge to take us from fossil fuel dependence to a clean energy future – but that bridge may be a lot shorter than anyone could have predicted. Global renewable electricity production by region image via IEA The International Energy Agency predicts power generation from renewable sources will exceed natural gas and be twice the contribution from nuclear energy globally by 2016 – just three short years from now. IEA’s second-annual Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report (MTRMR) forecasts renewable generation will grow 40 per cent in the next five years despite difficult economic conditions. Wind and solar lead renewables charge Renewable energy is now the fastest-growing sector of the global power market, and will represent 25 per cent of all energy generation worldwide by 2018, up from 20 per cent in 2011. In addition, renewable electricity generation is expected to reach 6,850 terawatt-hours (TWh) and total installed renewable capacity should hit 2,350 gigawatts (GW), both by 2018. Wind and solar photovoltaic generation is powering this jump, and non-hydro renewable power will double from 4 per cent of gross generation in 2011 to 8 per cent in 2018. IEA cites two main drivers for their incredible outlook: accelerating investment and deployment, and growing cost competitiveness versus fossil fuels. Strongest growth in developing countries Even though government funding has been inconsistent, private investment has remained strong, especially in developing economies. Rural electrification, energy poverty, and rising demand have been major challenges for policymakers in these countries, and renewables have become an increasingly attractive option for diverse and non-polluting power. Countries with non-hydro renewable capacity above 100MW image via IEA Non-developed countries, led by China , are expected to contribute two-thirds of all renewable market growth between now and 2018, compensating for slower growth and market volatility acorss Europe and the US. Indeed, non-hydro renewable power will make up 11 per cent of gross generation in these countries by 2018, up from 7 per cent in 2012. By itself, China will account for 310GW, or 40 per cent of all global renewable power capacity increases over this time period. Falling costs, rising capacity Solving energy poverty issues without harmful emissions is key to renewables growth , but the larger reason for IEA’s outlook is more likely falling costs. The report finds renewables now cost-competitive with fossil fuels across many countries and a wide set of circumstances. Solar PV annual capacity additions by region image via IEA IEA notes wind is competitive with new fossil fuel in multiple markets, including Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, and New Zealand, and solar is competitive both in markets with high peak prices and decentralized power needs. “As their costs continue to fall, renewable power sources are increasingly standing on their own merits versus new fossil-fuel generation,” said Maria van der Hoeven of IEA. IEA – policy uncertainty is public enemy #1 However, the IEA warns renewables still face a challenging future. Global investment fell in 2012, and policy uncertainties loom over clean energy technology in several important markets. In addition, grid integration challenges have materialized in some regions as renewables penetration has hit new levels. “Policy uncertainty is public enemy number one,” said Van der Hoeven . “Many renewables no longer require high economic incentives, but they do still need long-term policies that provide a predictable and reliable market and regulatory framework.” Read more: http://www.businesss…r#ixzz2XPwhHSpo Continue reading
U.S. Forest Service Funds 10 Renewable Energy Projects
– See more at: http://www.biomassma…h.9HUSxJjW.dpuf Continue reading
