“Non-hydroelectric renewable generation has increased in many states over the past decade. In 2011, Maine had the highest percentage of non-hydroelectric renewable generation, at 27% of total in-state generation, up from 20% in 2001 (see maps). South Dakota and Iowa followed, with 21% and 17%, respectively, in 2011, up from 1% and less than one percent in 2001. Wind is the largest driver of this increase across all states.” Quoted from the Energy Information Administration press release.
The ArizonaExperience website has an interactive solar energy map. You can use a slider to view the geographic development of solar energy projects over time.
The Energy Information Administration forecasts that United States non-hydro renewable power generation growth over the next 25 years will be led by gains in wind and biomass.
An article on the Bloomberg.com website explores how the United States is starting to approach energy self-sufficiency with rising oil output, developing shale gas fields and growth in renewable sources.
“Today, for the most part, higher education for students interested in energy lacks the cross-disciplinary curriculum that they critically need, and so we propose the adoption of energy departments on college campuses, departments that would tie seemingly disconnected fields of the sector together.” Quoted from the article.
The ExxonMobile 2012 Outlook for Energy has a chart that compares current demand for energy sources with the forecast demand in 2040. Demand for all sources of energy increases. Although wind and solar demand grows rapidly, in 2040 their total use is still dwarfed by the demand for oil, gas and coal.
The Energy Information Administration has an article that explores the sources of primary energy in the United States. Primary energy includes petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuel, and renewable energy.
FoxNews.com has an article about a project that is evaluating the potential of landfill, brownfield and Superfund sites for use in renewable energy projects such as solar or wind farms.
The EIA Annual Energy Review contains maps showing the geographic distribution of renewable energy potential that includes: geothermal, onshore wind, offshore wind, concentrating solar, photovoltaic solar and biomass.
Data from the Energy Information Administration show that net imports of energy into the United States has fallen sharply in the past year. Some of this decline can be attributed to new sources of unconventional oil and gas along with renewable energy projects coming online.
“While sunlight is the most abundant source of energy at our disposal, we have yet to learn how to capture, transfer and store solar energy efficiently.” Quoted from the University of Toronto news release.
“Scientists from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have determined that an inexpensive semiconductor material can be “tweaked” to generate hydrogen from water using sunlight.” Quoted from the University of Kentucky news release.
“UCLA researchers and their colleagues from China and Japan have shown that by incorporating gold nanoparticles into these organic photovoltaics — taking advantage of the plasmonic effect, by which metal helps to enhance the absorption of sunlight — they can significantly improve the cells’ power conversion.” Quoted from the UCLA news release.
“Inkjet printers, a low-cost technology that in recent decades has revolutionized home and small office printing, may soon offer similar benefits for the future of solar energy.” Quoted from the Oregon State University news release.
Surface disturbance from oil and gas wells in one square mile, Weld County, Colorado.
Colorado and New Mexico are endowed with multiple energy resources: oil and gas, shale gas, coal bed methane, uranium, geothermal, wind, and solar, and thus represent a microcosm of issues that affect the Western United States. Increased demand for energy—renewable and nonrenewable—drives the intensified development of all forms of energy in the region.
Resource managers and other decisionmakers are expected to balance the benefits of the rapid development of energy resources in light of their potential effects on these other resources.
Google and SolarCity, a rooftop solar power company, have announced a $280 million investment deal that will lease solar power systems to thousands of homeowners in multiple states.
The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting article titled: “Inconvenient Truths About ‘Renewable’ Energy”. The article takes a detailed look at the renewable sources of energy and how realistically they can be scaled and sustained.
Storing energy from wind and solar sources when conditions are favorable is essential if they are to become reliable power sources. An electromechanical battery designed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has the potential to provide maximum bulk storage of energy with minimal energy loss.
“Researchers at MIT have found a way to make significant improvements to the power-conversion efficiency of solar cells by enlisting the services of tiny viruses to perform detailed assembly work at the microscopic level.” Quoted from the MIT news release.
While not everyone has a pond or lake on their property to house floating solar power, it does have a market. Farmers, mining companies and others can convert their ponds into dual-purpose real estate.
“The key technology is a photovoltaic cell based on organic molecules, which harnesses the energy of infrared light while allowing visible light to pass through. Coated onto a pane of standard window glass, it could provide power for lights and other devices, and would lower installation costs by taking advantage of existing window structures.” Quoted from the MIT news release
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories has a very interesting chart that maps energy sources such as natural gas, solar and coal with energy uses such as electricity generation, residential, transportation, etc. Check it out.
“Have you seen those big, bulky, breakable photovoltaic cells that now collect the sun’s rays? Well, what if solar energy could be harnessed using tiny collectors that could be spray painted on a roof, a wall or even a window?” Quoted from the NSF website.
The United States has a greater fuel diversity today than at any time in its history. There are also more options available for future growth, yet this is also a time of great concern about energy choices for the future.
“Researchers in solar energy speak of a day when millions of otherwise fallow square meters of sun-drenched roofs, windows, deserts and even clothing will be integrated with inexpensive solar cells that are many times thinner and lighter than the bulky rooftop panels familiar today.” Quoted from the Stanford University press release.
An interesting article on the National Center for Policy Analysis website titled: “Will Green Energy Make the United States Less Secure?” explores how some of the materials needed in renewable energy development may not have a reliable supply line.
“Over the past decade the use of renewable energy is becoming more important to people, industry and governments. Why? Renewable energy resources are not depleted, they are becoming less expensive, and they have a softer environmental impact.”
In a TED: Ideas Worth Spreading talk, Mark Jacobson and Stewart Brand debate the question: “Does the world need nuclear energy?” They both attack the question by considering the alternatives.
Growing energy demand in Jamaica has the island nation rushing to find short term solutions. Coal, oil and LNG can fill demand quickly but renewable sources are more attractive from an environmental perspective. This article explores positive and negative sides of different energy strategies.
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