With ninety-five emerging economies currently participating compared to just 15 in 2005, global renewable energy generation capacity has reached a new record, according to REN21’s Renewables 2014 Global Status Report. These 95 countries make up the bulk of the 144 country’s renewable energy support and targets. This growing support for emerging economies is in contrast to policy reticence, and sometimes retroactive support contractions in parts of Europe and the US. On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released the Clean Power Plan to cut carbon emissions at existing US power plants. This proposal should help revive the country’s Renewables Policy. This report was unveiled at Sustainable Energy for All, an UN-hosted event in New York. According to the 2014, report, support policies are credited with driving global renewable energy capacities to an all-time high of 1 ,560 gigawatts last year. This is 8.3% higher than 2012,”. Emerging economies are embracing renewable energy Twenty-two percent currently come from renewable resources. REN21 wrote: “Markets, manufacturing, and investment expanded further across the developing world, clearly demonstrating that renewables are no longer dependent upon a small handful of countries.” Last year, approximately 6.5 million people globally worked directly or indirectly in the renewable energy industry. Here are some highlights: In the past twelve months, there have been more than 56% net power capacity additions around the globe. Hydropower increased by 4% to about 1,000 GW last year, accounting for approximately one-third of additional renewable power capacity. Collectively, other renewables increased by almost 17% to an estimated 560 GW. In 2012, 19% of the world’s energy consumption came from renewable sources, and continued growing in 2013. One-tenth (or 9%) of the total share for 2012, was attributed to modern renewables, while the rest (9%) were derived from biomass, whose share is decreasing. The final energy consumption was 4.2%. 3.8% of that came from hydropower, 2% from solar and wind, and 2.2% each from biomass, geothermal, solar and wind. Globally, more solar PV was installed than ever before. About one third of the total renewable power capacity that was added in 2013 came from solar PV. Although investment worldwide in solar PV fell almost 22% compared to 2012, new capacity installations grew by over 32%. In 2011, the solar PV market saw record growth, with more 39 GW in 2013 to a total of around 139 GGW. China was responsible for nearly a third of the global added capacity. Japan followed closely. The top five countries in terms of total renewable power generation capacity were China, Brazil, Canada and Brazil. China’s newly installed renewable power capacity surpassed new nuclear and fossil fuel capacity for the first time. Six years in a row, the European Union recorded its sixth consecutive year where renewables accounted for the largest share of new electricity generation capacity. This was 72%. Ten years ago, conventional fossil fuel generators were 80% the main source of new power generation capacity within the region. Many countries are increasing their penetration of renewable energy. In 2013, wind power represented 33.2% of Denmark’s total electricity demand and 20.9% of Spain’s. Italy’s solar PV accounts for 7.8% of its electricity needs. The American Wind Energy Association reports that wind energy costs have fallen by 43% in the past four years. Transition to 100% Renewable Energy More regions, states, and cities seek to move to 100% sustainable energy. This can be done either in their entire economies or within specific sectors. Authorities in Scotland, Djibouti, and Tuvalu have set a goal to generate 100% electricity from renewable sources before the end of this decade. Approximately 20 million German’s live in totally renewable energy regions. In terms of annual GDP (GDP), Uruguay, Mauritius, and Costa Rica are the most popular countries for investing in renewable power and fuels. Wind power was exempted from one Brazilian auction because it priced all other power sources out of the marketplace. In excess of 35 MW of wind power capacity was added last year, which reached a total of more than 318 GW. However, this was 10 GW less than in 2012, because of a sharp fall in the US market. The record-breaking year for offshore wind was 1.6 GW. Most of this came from Europe. Global heating and cooling demand is being accounted for by a small but gradually increasing share coming from modern biomass, geothermal and solar sources, which in 2013 amounted to about 10%. The use of fossil fuel boilers for heating and cooling in new buildings in 2013, was prohibited in Denmark. This country set itself the goal of getting nearly 40% all its heat from renewable sources by the end this decade. The $249.4billion investment in renewable fuels and power worldwide was 2013; less than the 2011. record. The report shows that policy mechanisms are constantly evolving. The feed-in policy in many countries shifted last year towards premium payments in the power sector and was adapted to the heating sector. How to achieve a 100% renewables future Arthouros Zervos, Chair of REN21: “Global perceptions of renewable energy have shifted considerably. Over the last 10 years, continuing technology advances and rapid deployment of many renewable energy technologies have demonstrated that the question is no longer whether renewables have a role to play in the provision of energy services, but rather how we can best increase the current pace to achieve a 100% renewables future with full energy access for all.” “For this to be become reality, current thinking needs to change: continuing the status quo of a patchwork of policies and actions is no longer sufficient. Instead, technology developments, finance models as well as stable and predictable renewable energy policies need to be systematically linked across the public and private sectors in order to support and drive the transition process.” (Source: REN21) Christine Lins, Executive Secretary at REN21, says that over the last ten years there has been a worldwide transition to renewables. However, she says that it will take a sustained and concerted effort to accomplish this. “Renewables have the potential to continue exceeding expectations with innovative policies and ambitious targets,” Lins said. (Source: REN21) Video – Renewable Energy Renewable energy (renewable power) is energy whose source does not deplete, i.e., we never run out of it.
