For the first time in a while, our portfolio of renewable power sources has surpassed power production from nuclear generation. According to the latest Monthly Energy Review from the Energy Information Administration, the most sustainable forms of energy now produce more for us than the most hazardous, largely due to rises in wind, solar and hydro production.
In the first quarter, renewable energy clocked in a total of 11.73% of our total power production at 2.245 quads (quadrillion BTUs) or 5.65% more than nuclear power. From the same period last year, solar power generation was up 104.8 percent, wind generation increased 40.3 percent, and hydro expanded by 28.7 percent. Power generated from biomass decreased by 4.8 percent. By comparison, natural gas generation increased by 1.8 percent, nuclear by 0.4 percent, and coal-fired electrical generation declined by 5.7 percent.
*It is important to note that this represents total power production for the country, not only the generation of electricity, which leads to why the number for coal looks low and oil looks high. While renewables produced 12.7% of our electricity in the same period, nuclear power accounted for 22.1% of our electrical needs, meaning that there is a large portion of renewables that are producing energy (notably heat) but not electrons. Coal still reigns supreme with 47.9% of grid fodder. Oil actually produces a very small amount of our electricity (3.9%) which is good given that it is the second dirtiest form of power generation we have.
There are likely just as many people saying “How is this possible?” as “Well it’s about time,” but in either case the milestone is an important one for attributing credence to the growth of the renewable sector and the wealth of unused potential. The events of Japan’s nuclear disaster is just one more nail in the coffin of the world’s most expensive type of energy to construct, making it unlikely that nuclear power will be clawing its way back anytime soon.
Some have pointed to the topic of renewable strength as misleading, saying that although “renewable” sources include a group of technologies such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydroelectric, they do not contribute equally and it can attribute an image of strength to parts of the marketplace that are still providing negligible amounts of energy for us. This is not untrue. Biomass was the all star, marking a resurgence to provide 48 percent of all renewable production. Hydro followed with 35.31 percent. Over three quarters of all “renewable” power comes from two sources that are not heralded as the cutting edge technologies that are forecast to reshape the face of the grid. Meanwhile, solar power gives the country less than one percent of its total power needs. Renewable production increased 36% from the same period in 2009, which is admirable but far from enough. If these technologies are to provide significant portions of our power, we need them to not just increase, but multiply from current levels.
That being said, I am optimistic of what the next 12-24 months will hold for advances in renewable energy production. While solar may be the ugly duckling right now, DOE loans are coming through for a new breed of solar installations, much larger than what typically exists now. Solar arrays of 100-150 MW provide only a fraction of their standard coal counterparts, but newer fields of 500+ MW start to offset meaningful amounts of energy from fossil fuels. National Solar Power is planning 400 MW of solar capacity while First Solar received DOB backing for three California projects of 230 MW, 250 MW and 550 MW. Together the four projects total roughly $6 billion of investment.
Wind has similar prospects on the drawing board. The world’s largest land-based wind farm, Shepard’s Flat, is currently under construction in Oregon, boasting 338 GE wind turbines for a capacity of 845 MW with operation slated for the end of 2012. This next generation of clean energy projects could signal that investors and grid managers are done dipping their toes in the water and are more prepared to take the plunge. Passing nuclear was a nice stepping stone, but catching up to oil is next.
Image Credit: sustainabilityninja.com
September 21, 2011 at 11:45 am
Coal is responsible for 20-30,000 deaths every year in the US, while nuclear is responsible for not one. So your labeling of nuclear power as the “most hazardous”, as well as representing BTUs as units of power (they’re units of energy) just make you look silly.
Please educate yourself before you blog.
September 21, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Bob,
You are right that coal is directly responsible for more American deaths every year, but recent events have underscored that the level of risk that surrounds nuclear power generation is undeniably high. If the Fukushima power plant was coal driven then I doubt the situation would be quite as severe with as many repercussions of contamination to both humans and the coastal waters. At least 15 states in the U.S. registered low level contamination in the air as a result of the event.
Nuclear waste is arguably the most hazardous byproduct that we as humans create and most often it sits stockpiled in the US without a final intended destination–a plan that we still do not have even as we continue to produce more of it. Instead it sits behind tall fences and must be guarded constantly (we don’t see many armed men guarding coal). This waste is far more hazardous than any of the direct byproducts of coal power production.
As a note, I am no defender of coal power, but the idea that nuclear is clean or cost competitive is a farce.
September 22, 2011 at 2:21 am
The author appears to have made an apples and orange comparison capacity and generation of actual power are not equivalent, for the March 2011 YTD, nuclear generated ~20% of the power, hydro 8.2% and other sources (which include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) 5.2% – from the EIA Figure 2 at the attached link (http://205.254.135.24/ftproot/electricity/epm/02261106.pdf).
Capacity is the amount of energy that the plant could theoretically deliver operating at 100%, not the same as the amount of energy they actually delivered through a period. The capacity of hydroelectric and renewables was greater than nuclear back in 2009 (http://205.254.135.24/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sum.html), Figure ES2, probably even further back than that since hydro and nuke capacity are approximately equivalent. Note nuclear still generated more power than hydro and other sources in 2009 as well (relatively unchanged from 2009 to March YTD 2011, with the 2009 figure for Nuclear generation at 20.2%, hydro at 6.8% and other at 3.9% (3.6 renewable / 0.3 just other, Figure ES 1 from the same link with the 2009 capacity)
September 22, 2011 at 11:10 am
Mike,
You are correct about the difference between capacity and power production, but the numbers above are not based on capacity. Similarly, energy production and electrical power generation are not equivalent. The numbers you are referencing are electrical power generation, which I touch on in the paragraph after the diagram agreeing that nuclear power accounted for about 22.1% of our electrical power with renewables at 12.7%. If you follow the link to the EIA monthly review, I believe energy production is figure 1.2. The chart for electric power generation comes later.
Renewables have not surpassed nuclear in electrical power generation, but they have exceeded nuclear in terms of net energy production (this includes things like the generation of steam or hot water).
As you note, capacity is an entirely different animal. It would make sense to me that renewables + hydro passed nuclear in terms of capacity given that components like wind and solar only generate a portion of their installed capacity due to their intermittent nature.
November 27, 2011 at 5:08 pm
yeah renewable and hydro power counted as the same gave us 11% of our power over 8% nuclear, but when you take out that half of “renewable” is hydro that still makes non-hydro power slim to our energy needs. Counting solar is about 1/8 of 1% and most of that is heating swimming pools.
December 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm
If only we could get the Schools in all Nations to Teach more on Solar, Wind, Geothermal and Renewable Energy.
When this Old World starts getting you down. From Pollution the cost of OIL,
Heating Fuel,The Fuel you put in your Vehicles, You Electric Bills from
cooling air conditioners and lights not to speak of the Evil. The TAX that all
Governments Federal, State, County and City put on everything they can thing of.
They are supposed to serve us. Not put a burden on its people. That they are
elected to serve all the people you, not their own Pocket Books.
The Wicked keep putting higher taxes on everything. Making it a Heavy
Burden on many that are already struggling just to put food on the table.
Too many Americans have lost their home to the tax collector or to foreclosures
from the unjust bankers greed. More are out of work and lost their homes then
in the GREAT DEPRESSION,in the last ten years. All Americans and many Nations
need good jobs and more of them. Not more TAXES and WARS.
There is a Industry that will employ workers and is growing by more then 50%
every year. There is a clear way for all up on the roof the Sun Light is free
fuel from GOD. Some wicked in Government have been backing Coal, Oil, Gas and
the Nuclear industries for too many years. These kickbacks to them were called
Subsidizing Industry Technology. Most all Wise Men and smart Economist and
Environmentalists call this padding their pockets and subsidizing back to the
Stone Age.
This might even been funny in the 1960′s. If it were a Fred Flintstones and
Barny Rubble Movie. About How to aggressively systematically work with the rich
to Pollute Ground Water quality to the point it is unsafe to drink or use.
So to they make a law you can only buy water from their pipe line. And to make
the air we breath full of Toxic Gases, Sulfur Dioxide and more Radioactive
and Acid Rain. Injuring all living things on Earth.
With Fred Flintstones to the Rescue. To help create a Healthier Environment.
For all Future Generations. By spotlighting Renewable Energy and Free Energy
like Wind and Solar. On his and his neighbor Barny Rubble’s roof. Even though
the greedy wicked would do everything to stop or slow them down.
Just imagine a dream that a 100 years ago one of the smartest man to ever
live had. A dream after working with Sun Light. That all on Earth would use
Free Energy Solar Energy.
That Dream also shared by a man that dreamed this over 2,250 years ago.
Both These men showed the world in their days. That this dream of Free Energy
Solar Energy World wide was very possible. Both of these two wise men had
first hand worked and researched their experiments for not just days, weeks
put for many years.
One of these men used chalk on Black Board the others board was a black
stone table or floor covered with white sand and used a stick. One of these
two Brilliant men had Kings from all most every Kingdom on Earth come to him
for advice.
The other went to almost every nation on Earth. Freely on his own dime
Teaching All that had ears to hear. He would win the Nobel Prize for doing so.
For his work on Solar Energy. Only after years of doing research and when most
Scientist on Earth would not take the nomination for the Nobel Prize in 1921 and knew
it clearly belonged to this Brilliant Scientist, this Brilliant scientist was then awarded it in
1922 for the 1921 year.
Now if this was just a Pretend TV Show or a Movie from a dream. This would
be a great Sci Fi Story Line. In the 1960′s or even better to day. Sci Fi story
Movie or dream No.
All that i Have told you did actually really happen. Albert Einstein won the
Nobel Prize for what? When Government leaders asked him to go on stage. To
address the Scientific Community and the World. About what he was given the
Nobel Prize for. When Albert Einstein Had done so. He addressed them with his
other accomplishments. For years most Governments did not have a ear for
Einstein’s Dream.
Archimedes around 250 B.C. was know most of the World over as a great
Mathematician. One of the first Scientist and Inventor of many things. Even
the first Laser Ray from the Sun’s Energy. Science Fiction is what you would
have though you were seeing if you could go back in time, it was real.To day
we call it The LASER, Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission. Back then it
was just called Amplification of the SUN, Archimedes Death Ray.
Thousand of years later it would be a Laser. That Albert Einstein help
make possible. That would unlock one of the first books on Earth.
The METHOD written by Archimedes. Then over more then 250 years later. When
well Faded was cut from a scroll and put into a book form, to be easier to
hide from the Romans by St. Paul. This book sold for over 2 million dollars.
In New york at Christie’s Auction House.
These two are at the top of the list of the World’s Greatest Scientists,
Viewed by Scientist around the World.
Sad that for the last 25 years or so of every teacher asked no matter what
Grade k through 16. At least 80% of them did not know Archimedes. Even sadder 90%
of them could not tell you what one of the most Brilliant Scientist to ever
live on Earth. Won the Nobel Prize for.
It was for the work Albert Einstein did to show the World it could get
Free Energy, Electric from the SUN. PHOTOVOLTAICS
You ask this question to any Military general 95% of them will get it right.
Even more surprising 99% of them will know more about Archimedes then most
Teachers on Earth. Generals know Energy is the key to Winning.
At almost one thousand to one Archimedes always won against what all knew was
impossible odds. Archimedes home town city of Syracuse was victorious against the
greatest Kingdoms Armies on earth many times. Syracuse once was one of the most
powerful cities in the World.
I can only ask you to please look into Solar Energy, Solar Power, Solar Panels
and Solar array on the internet under Images. To see and explore for your self
then you be the JURY.
More then 10 years ago the Internet became most of the World’s Universities
Learning Platform. A Modern Day Archimedes Resource Center.
The Solar Energy Industry in the year 2010 has leaped ahead farther and
faster then any other industry on Earth. The Solar Industry in the
United States of America alone, has grown by more then 50% in 2010 and
that number has gone up even higher this year 2011.
The strong benefits of Solar Energy is Clear Clean Air viewed in major cities
as improving air quality. Clean Cities. By all that use there brain for good .
View it as protecting the environment and Freedom from OIL.
While many Governments has eased the Taxes on Renewable Energy . Some cities in
the states that these Legislators come from have
worked against these tax credits.
By doing so they are showing their true objectives. That they have stock in some
power plants and do not want to lose all that Money they have been taking out of
your pocket books for too many years. By taxing you on your Energy Bills. They want
to Control Power and Tax Everything they can. Not let People be free to get their
own power from the top of their own roofs.
By adding their own taxes to them. These wicked leaders think that this will take
away the incentives to harvest the Free Energy from the Sun.
The Public ability and awareness for all on Earth to use the Natural Solar Energy,
is Contributing to Production of Solar Energy Products. Making the Solar
Energy Industry the fastest growing on Earth. A Wealth of Free Energy From The SUN.
The more the wicked try to slow the Solar Energy Industry down, it only Enhances
involvement and the efforts of the Good at Heart.
through out History Many have tried to wipe the good from our history books.
Read the Bible Jesus will Bless you more then i can.
SolarWorld has been presenting a Einstein Award to personalities who have advanced
the use of solar energy – and helped our Planet Earth.
We all need to tell all our Teachers and Leaders to use our Nation’s Energy more wisely
and efficient. Start to Teach all our Young about Renewable Energy Solar, Wind, and so on.
Not to for get Flintstones, Fred well there are many the one that is in front of all others
Started back in the 1970′s and started a small catalog that has turned into a Wealth of
knowledge into Renewable Energy a book called REAL GOODS Solar Living Source Book.
By Mr. John Schaeffer.
The world is going more with SOLAR, Wind and Geothermal Powered Energy. Speaking of
Geothermal Curt Lubben is just one of many sales representatives that has sold over a
million dollars of Renewable Energy in less then 365 days in the year 2011. The day of the
need for Dirty Oil and dangerous Nuclear Power are coming to a end fast. The Freedom Element
Living with Hydrogen That Dr. Addison Bain has showed the world will free most all of the
need for the Power Grid and Oil CEO’s.
Very soon most of the world will not need Oil. Renewable Energy like Solar, Wind, Hydro and
Geothermal are now replacing dirty Energy like Oil. Solar Energy is growing World Wide at a
record pace.
Hybrid Cars are being sold all over the Earth. Soon Hybrid Vehicles that run on Electric /
Hydrogen, The Freedom Element. Will free the world from Oil. Thanks to a Great Scientist
Dr. Addison Bain’s Years of work for our Nation and with the Space Program on Hydrogen.
The day will come when many will see Solar Panels on most everything. What Free Electric
the sun makes will be used to split water into Hydrogen. The Hydrogen will be used to heat
our homes and to cook on and put into are Hybrid Vehicles that will run on
(The Freedom Element). Very soon most all will be filling up their Vehicles at Home.
Free from the Sun’s Solar Energy. Just as Dr.Addison Bain has done for years the fist Hydrogen
home refueling Station in the World. That Dr. Addison Bain built by his self.
GOD Bless you for reading this.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Light up your world and warm your Heart this Christmas.
The Lord’s Little Helper
Paul Felix Schott
September 18, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Nuclear energy only provides 8% of the energy in the U.S.
Only 8% is being consumed at-source in the U.S.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0920633.html#ixzz2fFN0tKE6
September 20, 2013 at 5:44 pm
I’m not sure where that site gets its information from, but even if you look at the last 5 months at the Energy Information Administration data, nuclear is producing 9.9% of source energy, which has dropped since 2011 (when the article above was written).
http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec1_5.pdf