Status Of Global Renewable Electricity

"Let me return to why this blog site exists. The reason why I've expanded into just about anything is that, foremost, my friends tell me that my postings on travel, fine cuisine, the afterlife and such are a lot more entertaining. Plus, I do have a book two, SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR HUMANITY", that has chapters devoted to eternal life, religion, search for extraterrestrial intelligence and travel.

First, if you look in the right column, you will view data on the status of global renewable energy. Today, Renewable Energy World featured:

" GLOBAL RENEWABLE ENERGY STATUS UNCOVERED"

* More than a fifth of the world's electrical power production now comes from renewable sources.
* In 2013, renewables accounted for more than 56% of all net additions to global power capacity.
* To use their term, global installed renewable electricity capacity reached a "staggering" 1,560 GW ("or 1,560,000 MW") in 2013.
* This is the equivalent of around 1,560 nuclear power plants.
* China is #1 for installed renewable power capacity, followed by the USA.
* In 2013, FOR THE FIRST TIME, China's renewable power capacity surpassed new fossil and nuclear capacity.
* In the European Union, cloudy and cold Denmark is #1, as, for the sixth straight year, the majority of new electric generating capacity was renewable, and in 2013, it was 72%.
* Relative to GDP, Uruguay, Mauritius and Costa Rica were the top renewable investment countries.
* Worldwide, solar PV had a record year, adding 38,000 MW for a total of 136,000 MW, the equivalent of 136 nuclear powerplants. Note, though, that a nuclear power facility will produce 4 times more actual electricity than PV because the sun does not shine all the time. China was #1 in additions, with Japan #2.
* Solar water and air collector capacity reached 330,000 MW thermal, with China accounting for 80% of this total.
* More than 35,000 MW of wind power capacity was added last year, pushing the total to 318,000 MW. However, there was a decline for the year compared to 2012. Some combination of expiring credits and NIMBY is retarding growth. Europe was the continued leader in wind power, but Asia is expected to become #1 this year. Incidentally, 1,600 MW of wind power was offshore. There is also that matter of size. Here is the largest offshore wind turbine blade being transported in Scotland, which first had to be shipped from Denmark ("274 feet, about as long as a football field, for a 7 MW turbine. made by Samsun"g):

* Bioenergy electricity capacity increased 5,000 MW to 88,000 MW. Liquid biofuels met about 2.3% of transport demand.
* There was 530 MW of new geothermal, with now a global total of 12,000 MW.

You can read the entire article HERE.

While the USA is #2, it appears that many utilities, especially in those sunshine states, are fighting solar:

* Florida installed 26 MW of solar power, #18 among states last year.
* Massachusetts, not known for much sun, installed nearly ten times more PV power, 240 MW.
* California put up 3,750 MW.

Here is the area ("the square, not the circle") required for 100% solar electricity in the State of California:

No question that renewable electricity is showing growth. There is no doubt now that renewable energy has attained a certain threshold for continued growth that gives me some gratification for helping the field get started. However, keep in mind that only around a third of the energy humanity uses goes to produce electricity:

If you can't read it, click on it.

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Hurricane Karina at 75 MPH just formed in the East Pacific.

She seems headed to Hawaii, but should weaken before approaching the Big Island. HOWEVER, THERE IS A DISTURBANCE CLOSER TO HAWAII IN THE CENTRAL PACIFIC WHICH DOES NOT YET HAVE A NAME ("TO BE CALLED ANA"), BUT IS CURRENTLY PROJECTED TO ATTAIN CATEGORY 3 STATUS, AND, WILL FIRST THREATEN THE BIG ISLAND, BUT THEN, ACCORDING TO MODELS, MOVE NORTH, LIKE JULIO. BUT, YOU NEVER KNOW.

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