PeakOil is You
So when will renewables become cheaper than fossil fuels?
Re: So when will renewables become cheaper than fossil fuels
by Newbie Wants Info » Mon 03 Jun 2013, 15:30:04
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newbie Wants Info', 'I')t's not just concentrated solar, it combines wind, biomass, hydro, etc in a network spread across northern Africa, the middle east and Europe, taking advantage of a massive amount of renewable energy sources. The only thing standing in the way of affordable, environmentally friendly energy network are the "peoples" in the region who fight like dumb animals over religion and territory.
Okay. So let me rephrase:Concentrating solar power, wind, biomass, hydro, etc. are not new technologies. What about DESERTEC is new, other than the obviously high production values of its presentation?
Combining them in a massive network spanning two continents to share energy via HVDC is what is "new." I'm not really sure why you're persisting about this. The thread was not about what is "new" but when renewables will become cheaper than fossil fuels. That's going to happen very soon thanks to the free-market capitalist robber barons at DESERTEC and other like minded ventures.
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Re: So when will renewables become cheaper than fossil fuels
by Newbie Wants Info » Mon 03 Jun 2013, 15:54:15
I won't tell you thrice. Greedy capitalist robber barons are well on their way to solving the fossil fuel problem in Europe and Asia. If that makes you mad you can put on your Che Guevara t-shirt and sulk behind the refuge of the "Redwood Curtain" or you can put on your happy face and roll with it.
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Re: So when will renewables become cheaper than fossil fuels
by kublikhan » Mon 03 Jun 2013, 16:29:05
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('C8', 'U')S really is doomed to become a second or third world nation in 40 years as other countries invest in the transition and we are stuck with ever more expensive fossil fuels.
Couldn't agree more. The process has started. Other countries will continue to invest in the transition as our programs languish. Only the USA ever had the luxury to turn away from public transport, and build out its suburban sprawl. It will be our undoing.$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hich nations have the best record for using renewable energy?
1. The United States: 24.7 percent of the world total
The U.S. use of alternative energy sources is increasing due to federal, state, and local tax and other incentives, as well as mandated state goals. This is in spite of the fact that attempts to join international agreements or introduce long-term, large scale reductions in emissions have met with opposition in Congress and in the private sector.
2. Germany: 11.7 percent of the world total
Germany made a historic decision when the country decided to phase out nuclear power in favor of alternative sources by 2022. Ironically, it is the only country in the G-20 economic bloc to project a decline in clean energy investment, partially because it has already done so much as an early leader in renewable energy.
3. Spain, 7.8 percent of world total
Last April, wind power became Spain’s largest source of electricity generation, although the country still imports the majority of its energy. Spanish producers are also building turbines and installing wind farms internationally, including in the U.S. Sadly, with the current economic problems in Spain, this may change.
4. China: 7.6 percent of world total
China is erecting 36 wind turbines a day and building a robust new electricity grid to send this power thousands of miles across the country from the deserts of the west to the cities of the east. It is part of a long-term plan to supply 15% of the country’s energy from alternative and renewable sources by 2020.
5. Brazil: 5 percent of world total
Brazil has boosted large investments into the wind sector through government auctions for contracts, and is also working to attract foreign investment into solar energy. The country has also made a pledge to have solar power in all twelve venues when it hosts the 2014 World Cup.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'â')€¢ The U.S. wind industry installed 8,380 megawatts (MW) during the fourth quarter of 2012 bringing the total U.S. wind power capacity installations to 60,007 MW and 2012 installations to 13,124 MW.
• The U.S. wind industry more than doubled its previous high quarter for installations, going from 4,113 MW during the fourth quarter of 2009 to 8,384 MW during the fourth quarter of 2012
• Wind energy became the number one source of new U.S. electricity generating capacity for the first time, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55 % of all new U.S. generating capacity.
How did the industry get to 60 GW?
• It took more than 25 years to reach 10 GW (in 2006), then only 2 more years to reach 20 GW (in 2008).
• The U.S. wind industry hit 40 GW in 2010 and then in 2012 hit both the 50 GW and 60 GW milestone
Further, we are going to continue to need fossil fuels during our transition to renewables. And the US is rich in fossil fuels. As reported recently in the coal thread, the US has 245 years of coal. China has 21-38 years. In terms of providing for the energy needs of it's residents, I think many countries will top the "doomed" charts long before the US.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he idea of peak oil—the point at which global production reaches its maximum—has fixated the energy industry for years. Now, China is grappling with a new worry: peak coal. Experts are starting to predict when China's coal reserves will run out—a nightmare scenario in a country where 70% of its energy is derived from coal.
According to BP, China can only continue at current rates of production for 38 years before its coal reserves are exhausted. That compares with 245 years in the U.S., and 105 years in India.
Even if China's annual coal demand growth halved to 5% then the country would run out of coal in 21 years unless it finds material new deposits, CLSA says. The picture isn't much brighter when calculations use IEA estimates of China's proven reserves. Annual consumption growth of 5% would see China run out of coal in 28 years, it forecasts.
