Author Archives: Juan Luis Vidal

renewable

The Renewable Industry is not Related Exclusively to Developed Countries any more

Renewable energy is attracting more and more attention of the global community nowadays, in spite of the fact that still it is not a mainstream source of energy in the world. It is already stated that the renewables have a great generating capacity and they are able to provide energy to run the entire countries (we can recall the real examples shown recently by different countries like Germany and Portugal). Governments of 146 countries already offer supportive policies to this industry and try to keep a leading role in driving growth of renewables and 173 countries introduced targets related with renewable energies for 2016.

Estimated Renewable Energy Share of Global Final Energy Consumption, 2014

This shows a strong commitment of many nations to reduce the negative impact on climate change. At the same time, this practice ensures a sustainable growth of energy generation. According to the 2016 Global Status Report, the renewables generated 24% of global electricity in 2015.

Average Annual growth rates

The total investment in renewables reached $286 billion last year. The emergent countries like China[1], Brazil and India, performed the largest investments into renewables last year, although the leading countries on the international scenario according to per capita installations of wind, solar, hydropower and biomass are Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Portugal. The renewables provided 44% of total EU capacity in 2015. What is surprising is that less developed countries, like Morocco, Uruguay, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Philippines and South Africa, prioritized the transition from traditional to renewable sources for energy generation investing more than $500 million in renewables, having spent 1% of their GDP for renewable energy expansion. The developed countries, by contrast, decreased in their investments by 8% in 2015, a falling trend kept for the past five years.

Top 5 annual investment in renewables in 2015

Without a doubt, the renewable energy has grown fast worldwide recently. It is clearly seen from the growth in total investments – 5% more in 2015 than in 2014, and also from the renewable power capacity (in GW) – 9% more in 2015, that is, 148 GW more[2]. Just to understand these figures better, the additional gigawatts in 2015 are equivalent to Africa’s generating capacity from all sources. The most prominent renewable sources were solar and wind showing 28% and 17% of growth in their power capacities, respectively. The lowest growth corresponded to hydro and geothermal power capacities – 2,7% and 2,4%, respectively.

The renewables are a priority in many countries of the world what makes this industry truly global and not dependable on just a few nations. The renewable industry is shaping already the job market: only in the USA there are 11 million of people employed by 154 companies 100% committed to green energies.

[1] China played a dominant role in investment accounting for 36% of the global total ($102,9 billion), as per The Renewables 2016 Global Status Report.

[2] In 2015 renewables worldwide had the capacity to generate 1,849 gigawatts of power, compared to 1,701 gigawatts in 2014.

 

Record growth in renewable energy, especially in developing countries – new report

The Renewables 2016 Global Status Report

Renewable energy surges to record levels around the world

Developing world invests more in renewable energy than rich countries for first time, new study says

skycraper

Energy efficient buildings as sustainable programmes and business

Urban growth is unstoppable: more than half of the world’s population now lives in towns and cities, and by 2030 this number will be about 5 billion. Modern cities must offer dynamic, efficient, healthy and sustainable space for its citizens through different elements and strategies. For example, through energy-efficient buildings that can help in management of serious questions like climate change, health and unemployment, to name just a few.

Buildings are a crucial urban element, they occupy 50% of the land are of any city and they are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and one third of CO2 emissions. According to the Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving, buildings generate 84% of power consumption during their service life distributed among heating, hot water and electricity use; 12% by construction, transportation and elements production, and 4% in maintenance and update. The target marked by EU is to reduce CO2 emissions generated by buildings by at least 80% and its energy consumption by as much as 50% by 2050.

Buildings always require large investment, especially when we speak about smart buildings. At the same time they require a different management type and life cycle analysis because of high comfort levels standards demanded by the consumers and modern equipment installed. The main objectives are to obtain high efficiency and returns on investment, both economic and social. Efficiency obtained through smart buildings is actually very profitable because of great savings in energy and water consumption, waste management and material resource use.

This is one of the instruments that the policymakers can successfully use – that is why the Administration, on all levels, tries to provide certain support for buildings’ users if they also contribute in more efficient systems to guarantee energy efficiency and reduce emissions. There are different funding programmes for optimization of air conditioning systems, lighting systems, energy control and management, façade update and construction of buildings with high energy classification. There are also subsidies to electricity generation for self-consumption through renewable energy sources, micro generation systems installations, centralized thermal production to supply power to several buildings and so on.

Efficient buildings also contribute greatly to public health because of the pollution reduction. High rates of exposure to indoor smoke and smog from coal-fired power plants are directly related to mortality rates, a sensitive question especially in the developing cities which must be addressed urgently. The renewables and “smart” systems designed for modern buildings constitute a real solution to create healthier places to work and live. Energy efficiency in buildings can be turned into sustainable programme and attractive business and this must be one of the immediate political priorities.

Sources:

4 surprising ways energy-efficient buildings benefit cities

IDAE, Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro Energético

Energy-efficient Buildings (EeB)

United Nations Population Fund

energy-renewable-sources

Impact of Renewable Energy Sources in Energy Efficiency

The role of renewable energy is getting more and more important on the International Energy Market. Many countries decided to shift from traditional to alternative energy sources reducing burning coal or even stopping it and abandoning nuclear energy generation. The renewables are replacing the traditional sources of power generation in an attempt to create sustainable space for working and living and contribute in a more efficient protection to the environment.

We have presented that the European countries, such as Portugal, Germany and Spain, have relied on the energy generated by renewable sources: wind, water, waves and tides, sunlight, biofuels, geothermal heat, etc. The results are surprising and very positive. For example, in Portugal the recent test proved that the entire country was able to run on renewable energy alone for 4 days.

Portugal used successfully the alternative sources for energy in 2013 getting up to 70% in consumption of electricity; the main source of energy for that country comes from biofuels and waste. The introduction of renewable sources, such as wind and hydropower, has been increasing its presence in the energy market of Portugal since 1990’s, and since 2006 with geothermal and solar. The contribution of renewables into the total power consumption in Portugal grew from 25,7% registered in 2013 to 63% in 2014[1].

renewable-sources

Germany, leader in using of renewable energy sources, registered that the 95% of the energy consumed on May, 8th came from renewables. After abandoning nuclear energy programmed for 2022, according to the plan called Energiewende, Germany has a target to reach in 2050 80% of energy that comes from renewable sources.

Another example of a successful use of alternative sources for energy is in Spain where hydropower contributed in 30% to the total energy generated in April of this year. The rest of renewable sources generated around 40% more of energy during the same period, making the total contribution of 70%. Spain scheduled the closure of carbon stations in 2025, cutting the corresponding subsidies in 2018. In 2050 the energy generation is planned to be 100% derived from renewable sources. This is the right moment to start transition in a more active way and train properly the personnel of the energy sector, experts say.

The shift from traditional to alternative sources for power generation has many advantages. One of them is the immediate ecological improvement because of the reduction of CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions which impact negatively both on our health and the environment. This is also a clear case of getting a cheaper energy due to imbalances produced between power generation and consumption. We cannot but accept that the energy production is driving towards more sustainable and clean energy sources. The renewable power sources have already proved that they are reliable and contribute highly to the EU’s energy efficiency.

[1] 2015 showed a lower indicator due to drought, 50,4%.

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energy-consumption

Projection of World Energy Generation and Consumption till 2040

The question of energy efficiency is more than important nowadays, it is an urgent issue which needs real solutions.

What is the current scenario and the forecast regarding power consumption worldwide? Power consumption is always growing due to the strong development and leadership of emerging economies, such as Asian ones. The projection for 2040 is that this consumption will grow at a spectacular rate of 48%. The International Energy Outlook 2016 presented by EIA says that the renewables, hydro and wind power mainly, is the fastest growing energy which will rise 2,6% by 2040, while natural gas will do it slower reaching 1,9% more than now. Oil and other liquids will decrease their position on the energy consumption market from 33% in 2012 to 30% in 2040. Another important energy source is the nuclear power generation which will show an incredible growth from 2,3 trillion kWh registered in 2012 to 4,5 trillion kWh by 2040.

The similar trend projected till 2020, is supported by another review presented by World Energy Council (Figure 1)comsumption1

The current energy consumption demand is applied for different purposes, the main applications are motors, lighting and home appliances and consumer electronics (Figure 2).energy-comsumption

It is difficult to reduce this consumption, especially in industrialized and developing countries, moreover, demand for energy will continue to grow. So, another way to treat this sensitive question is through improved practices of energy efficiency which are based on accumulated knowledge and experience and proper application of modern technologies. This enables the user to track and measure the energy use, analyze the efficient and inefficient areas and reviewer the energy reduction strategies. Specific technological solutions capable to deliver the accurate information in real time, process and analyze data is of enormous help. They provide valuable insights, identify cost-effective procedures and help in developing systematic programs focused on energy efficiency.

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