The Director of DOE’s National Renewable Energy Lab provides a great overview of renewables current state and the future of it, including technology, policy, and all else. This was a presentation he gave at Stanford. Go trees! Literally, we need more trees.
Thanks in part to unusually strong winds, Germany has already met the EU’s national target that Germany have 12.5% of electricity from renewables. Further, Germany is rapidly growing it’s own renewable industry. Employment in the industry was 250K in 2007 and is expected to blossom to 710K come 2030. This renewables boom can be attributed to Germany’s 1991 renewable energy law. The law mandates utilities purchase renewables and sets a price well above the wholesale price. The fixed rate substantially decreases the risk associated with the long-term investment. Interesting stat: Germany leads the nation with installed capacity of renewable energy, with just over 25 gigawatts. Read more HERE.
Many cities in California allow free metered parking for hybrids. Additionally, California has provided carpool lane passes for many hybrids and low-emission vehicles. However, these perks may be eliminated very shortly. Looks like Prius drivers will just need to be thankful for the gas savings. Read more HERE.
By the end of 2008 WW solar cell producers will have installed capacity of 12.2 GW. 2009 demand estimates are for only 4.3GW. This relatively low demand estimate can likely be attributed to declining tax incentives in Germany and Spain, as well as the lack of any PV incentives in the most recent US energy bill. Read more here.
Giant solar farms in the Southwest, compressed air chambers to store excess energy, a switch to a DC backbone, and $420 billion for 69% of the US electricity to be generated by the sun by 2050. The plan will result in 62% less CO2 emissions than 2005 levels. Interesting stat: For the plan to work installed watts need to cost $1.20, could Nanosolar’s modulars be the answer? Read more here.
