A society fuelled solely by renewable energy must surely one of the ultimate goals of humanity. Whether you subscribe to anthropogenic climate change or not, no one can deny that fossil fuels will, eventually, run out. You can argue that finding new reserves, using new technologies, the rise of fracking, etc. etc. will ‘save’ us. But ultimately these options are, at best, a short term solution if millions – billions - of humans want to live the modern way for more than the next few centuries.
We are, however, on the right track. Each year a network of renewable and policy stakeholders, called REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century), publish a report on the state of renewable investment and policy in the world. It’s an interesting and optimistic read.
Global Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is growing rapidly. In 2012, it supplied an estimated 21.7% of global energy, although about half of this came from traditional sources (such as wood biomass) rather than new technologies. Compared to 2011, renewable capacity grew 8.5% and is seeing rapid growth across developing and developed nations alike.
Renewable energy is growing rapidly. In 2012, it supplied an estimated 21.7% of global energy, although about half of this came from traditional sources (such as wood biomass) rather than new technologies. Compared to 2011, renewable capacity grew 8.5% and is seeing rapid growth across developing and developed nations alike.
Of all new electric generation capacity built in 2012, more than half was renewable. Growth isn't limited to developed economies either. Going back to 2007, developed countries invested two-and-a-half times more in renewables than developing nations. By 2012, that difference was only 15%.
Growth in renewables is arguably down to more effective and more widespread government policy. The number of policies dealing with energy targets or sustainability has increased year-on-year, with 127 countries now supporting active programmes. The renewable challenge is ultimately a global one, and it is clear that much work remains to encourage renewable growth in Africa. Energy demand is expected to surge in coming years and building infrastructure to keep pace could equate to more than 6% of the continent's GDP. Urgent socio-economic challenges, which cannot be ignored, take the majority of funding from African nations and it is therefore increasingly important that rich nations keep their promise of providing $100 billion of support for renewable adoption in developing nations by 2020.
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| *BRICS is an association of emerging economies including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa |
Solar Energy
Perhaps the greatest growth in renewable energy is solar photovoltaic technology, with 57% of all new investment in renewables invested in solar photovoltaics. Almost every country with a solar energy program increased their capacity and in October of this year all new energy infrastructure in the USA, whether renewable or not, was solar power. Such rapid growth, as much as 77.5% between 2010 and 2011, has been fuelled by decreasing costs; in 2012 alone, solar modules dropped in price by an average of 30%
Wind Energy
As with solar, wind prices keep falling and turbines cost 20-25% less in the west and 35% less in China in 2012 compared with their peak price in 2008. This spurred on growth and 2012 saw the wind sector grow by 19% compared to 2011.
The number of countries investing in wind energy also increased, with 44 countries adding capacity in 2012. In total, 64 countries now have wind capacity above 10 MW and 24 countries produce more than 1 GW. Established economies still invest the most in wind power, with the exception of China who, like many renewable technologies, are the world leaders in terms of raw wind capacity. The EU represents about 37% of global wind capacity, buoyed by German growth and the completion of the first phase of the London Array in the UK, the world's largest offshore wind farm.
HydropowerThe benefit of hydropower is the ability to control drinking water reserves whilst producing reliable and controllable electricity. 30 GW of hydropower came online in 2012, although this only represents a rise in capacity of 3% compared to 2011. The controversial Three Gorges Dam project, the world's largest power station that spans the great Yangtze River, finally reached full capacity with the installation of the last of its 32 turbines, which collectively produced a record 98.1 TWh in 2012. With a capacity of 22,500 MW of electricity, the Three Gorges Dam is over 4 times larger than the largest coal power station.
Other
Whilst solar, wind and hydro energy takes centre stage in the renewable mix, they are by no means exclusive. Geothermal, bioenergy and ocean energy are all important components and make up a significant portion of our renewable energy budget (see the first figure). Energy from biomass, including sources from forests, food crops and wood processing, increased 2 - 3% in 2012. Ocean energy stagnated somewhat last year after the introduction of a large, 254 MW tidal station in South Korea in 2011. However, a number of projects, typically in more economically developed nations, are in the pipeline. Finally, geothermal energy has grown an average of 10% each year since 2005 and supplied 223 TWh of energy in 2012, although the availability of geothermal energy depends largely on location.
Although certainly a low carbon generation source, nuclear power is not classified as renewable energy owing to the non-renewable status of uranium fuel, as defined by the Energy Information Administration.
The FutureWhilst solar, wind and hydro energy takes centre stage in the renewable mix, they are by no means exclusive. Geothermal, bioenergy and ocean energy are all important components and make up a significant portion of our renewable energy budget (see the first figure). Energy from biomass, including sources from forests, food crops and wood processing, increased 2 - 3% in 2012. Ocean energy stagnated somewhat last year after the introduction of a large, 254 MW tidal station in South Korea in 2011. However, a number of projects, typically in more economically developed nations, are in the pipeline. Finally, geothermal energy has grown an average of 10% each year since 2005 and supplied 223 TWh of energy in 2012, although the availability of geothermal energy depends largely on location.
Although certainly a low carbon generation source, nuclear power is not classified as renewable energy owing to the non-renewable status of uranium fuel, as defined by the Energy Information Administration.
Despite such optimistic growth and a fall in costs, renewable energy is not without its issues. Many renewable technologies consume non-renewable and rare resources, such as exotic metals used in turbine gearboxes, electric vehicles and batteries. Furthermore, whilst renewable technologies can easily produce electricity, what about the petroleum-based propulsion necessary in, say, the airline industry?
Although these questions are important and will need answering, it does not take the top spot on the global priority list. Renewable energy growth is a key first step. Once the renewable industry is established globally, the demand and price of components and materials will increase and, as a result, encourage the industry to invest into developing different materials and methods. Thus the technology will progress and the efficiency increase, until perhaps, one day, renewable energy can be the sole source of humanities great energy needs.
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