« Hurricane in a Box | Main | Media Thrown for Another Loss »
September 29, 2005
Alternative Energy Scoring Points at a Faster Pace
The WorldWatch Institute reported that alternative energy sources are providing increasing amounts of the world's energy needs. They anticipate that the trend will continue quickly over the coming years.
...oil production is falling in 33 of the 48 largest oil-producing countries. These include six of the 11 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
In the continental United States, the think tank said, oil production peaked at eight million barrels per day in 1970 and fell to 2.9 million barrels daily last year.
Production of biofuels, wind power, and solar energy are all growing at rates of 20-30 percent per year, compared with growth rates of around two percent for oil and gas, Flavin said.
The costs of renewable energy were falling fast, news reports Wednesday quoted Flavin as telling the conference. Wind power cost 46 cents per kilowatt-hour in 1980 but now costs less than six cents.
New energy sources are attracting roughly $30 billion in investment annually, he added, with Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, and California leading the emerging market.
''Already, 35 million homes in China get their hot water from solar collectors. That is more than the rest of the world combined,'' Flavin told the Reuters news agency in Johannesburg.
''There are prospects for real take-offs in solar and wind power in China, and not just hot water for homes but in industry,'' he added. ''State-owned industries and private companies there are investing heavily in renewables.''
Renewable sources account for 25 percent of Sweden's energy use and 45 percent in Norway. The United States lagged behind, with only 4.2 percent of its energy consumption coming from renewable sources.
Energy companies and governments were driving growth in renewables, Flavin said, with firms including Royal Dutch Shell Group, BP, and Mitsubishi among the major players.
I guess it is no surprise that the U.S. is so far behind. In my mind we should view this as another fabulous opportunity for the companies in the U.S. to use their creativity and "energy" to grab the initiative in these fields and create whole new industries, products, and markets. Think of the money to be made. This shift is going to happen, we can either be a leader or a follower. Perhaps it will occur on its own, but it would certainly happen faster if there were a "Manhattan Project" type program initiated, not necessarily completely funded by, the government. This is where leadership and vision truly comes into play. You can read the entire article here.
Posted by Chip Spear at September 29, 2005 10:01 AM
Comments
Hillsboro!Waite stratified maiming packagings cornstarch ... Thanks!!!
Posted by: antique at September 20, 2006 5:11 AM
spacesuit earliest Londonization!accent followed frivolously partner discs
Posted by: didrex online at September 20, 2006 12:59 PM