Economic Conditions Still Challenge Renewable Energy
Despite record global investment in renewable energy in 2010, the continuing impacts of the global financial crisis are placing renewable energy markets in a state of flux, according to a recent analysis by Ernst & Young.
The company’s latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices, released on February 28, still place China in the top spot, thanks largely to the country’s 64% growth in wind power capacity in 2010.
China reached 42 MW of wind capacity in 2010, but Chinese companies are dealing with falling stocks, inflationary pressures, weak research and development capabilities, and limited grid capacity that may not be able to continue supporting the country’s rapid growth in both wind and solar power. Ernst & Young has received reports of unconnected wind power capacity in China.
The US closely trails China, which gained status by extending its Treasury grant program through 2011, but its renewable energy markets still face long-term uncertainty.
Across Europe, the picture is mixed, with tightening government budgets, falling technology costs, and (in some quarters at least) booming solar markets. This has led to a series of reductions in feed-in tariffs, especially for solar.
The UK ranks fifth in the indices, bolstered by electricity market reform, although an ongoing review of its feed-in tariffs is creating uncertainty.
India also ranks high in the indices, tying with Germany for third place, thanks to the development of a 250 MW tidal plant and to government obligations to purchase solar power. See the Ernst & Young press release and the indices report .
Farm Renewable Energy Production Shows Big Growth
The number of solar panels, wind turbines, and methane digesters on America’s farms and ranches has increased significantly over the past decade, according to survey results released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
8,569 farms now produce their own renewable energy, according to the 2009 On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey. Conducted by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service as a follow-up to the most recent Census of Agriculture, this was the first nationwide survey to look at renewable energy practices on America’s farms and ranches.
Solar is the dominant way of producing on-farm energy. In 2009, almost 8000 farms reported using photovoltaic and thermal solar panels. The use of wind turbines was reported by 1,420 farmers; use of methane digesters was reported by 121 farms.
California leads the nation with 1,956 farms producing renewable energy, accounting for nearly a quarter of all participants. Colorado, Hawaii, and Texas are other major states where at least 500 farms produce their own renewable energy. See the USDA press release, a USDA fact sheet , and the survey results.
DOT Seeks $3.2 Billion in Transit Infrastructure for FY 2012
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced funding recommendations for 10 new capital transit construction projects under President Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget request.
The budget proposal includes a record $3.2 billion for 28 transit construction projects across the US designed to reduce energy consumption and curb air pollution.
The spending plan recommends investing $569.3 million in 10 new transit construction projects, including rail and bus rapid transit projects in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. An additional 11 projects that were recommended for funding in previous years but have not yet received federal commitments are being recommended for $1.4 billion in the FY 2012 budget.
In addition to the transit construction projects that have not yet been funded, the budget provides $835.4 million for continued funding of seven additional rail transit projects already operational or under construction in Dallas, New York, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Northern Virginia. See the DOT press release, a list of recommended projects, and the Federal Transit Administration’s annual report .
DOE, Masdar to Test Solar PV Coating Technologies
DOE and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy initiative, announced they will test the performance of specially coated solar PV modules.
The modules, developed by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Lab, are designed to avoid the moisture and cementation problems faced by PV module producers worldwide.
DOE and Masdar signed an agreement in April 2010 to promote collaboration on clean energy technologies.
The second Clean Energy Ministerial will be held in Abu Dhabi on April 6-7. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu plans to attend this high-level global forum, which was established in 2009. See the DOE press release and coverage of the MOU in EERE Network News.
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EERE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
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