TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Sep 14, 2009 (CEST)
Usage of Alternative Energy is finally on the Rise
With the world increasingly facing dire consequences of climate changes, alternative energy such as solar and waste capturing is finally gaining popularity.
According to the latest available data, solar thermal heating is swiftly becoming one of the dominant trends. It is used for domestic water heating as well as space heating and drying. The total power generated, including consumer and industrial installations, increased by 19 GW of thermal equivalent (GWth) and now stands at 147 GWth total yearly capacity according to Worldwatch Institute, an independent research organization based in Washington, DC. That sum represents enough energy to heat 15 percent of US households.
China is proving to be a dominant player in this innovative industry with two thirds of global capacity installed there. Even with recent market downturn, it still captured 80 percent of new system installations.
In its coastal city of Rizhao, almost all of the households facilitate some kind of solar water heating as initial costs are approximately the same as those of conventional electrical systems. Savings can be substantial with customers able to save three to six percent of their disposable income, money that they before had to spent on electricity bills.
In addition to China, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus and the US are also starting to adopt this alternative energy source with some reports stating its efficiency at almost 70 percent. Another huge and potential market is certainly India with its expanding economy and ever growing appetite for energy. The country is blessed with the average of about 270 sunshine days a year making it extremely suitable for solar energy.
Solar power is especially appropriate for rural areas that might not be connected to power grid and where low installation and maintenance cost system can provide a cheap, clean and renewable energy. Most of these areas are very much depended on agriculture, so using solar dryers for swiftly drying produce can carry crucial benefits. Furthermore, those rural areas probably suffer from less than optimal sanitary issues, so solar power can also help in water purification process.
Alternative to solar energy is energy derived from waste either by capturing it though smokestacks or through biomass. In the US, it already generates 10,000 MW a year. Potentials are huge as a recent report by Worldwatch institute estimate that capturing wasted energy in smokestacks in the US could replace almost 30 percent of the electricity now generated by burning fossil fuels.
Increasing attention is given to these emerging issues. Authors Robert Ayres and Ed Ayres in their recently published work called ‘Bridge to a Renewable Energy Future’ explore further the usefulness of clean and renewable energy sources, noting how implementing these new technologies can be beneficially to both investors and the environment at the same time.
So then, the world does not have any more excuses not to facilitate these alternative energies. And faster we adopt them, richer, safer and healthier we all will be.
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
