What are Renewable Energies?

From the words we know that is a type of energy could be used multiple times even limitless times, for example: wind and solar energy, hydro-power, geothermal energy and bio-energy, these energy are available in almost limitless supply. Fossil energies such as natural gas, coal, uranium, and most important oil. We rely on the fossil energy for almost every transportation and heavy machines, unfortunately this type of power source can not be re-used. The use of renewable energies protects the climate and environment, is resource-efficient and safe. Using renewable energies can avoid climate-damaging emissions which have serious impacts. The use of renewable energies has therefore not only appropriate from an environmental perspective, it also has macroeconomic benefits.

The following pie-chart shows the renewable energy produced in 2011.

 

Germany’s green energy revolution called the “energiewende” – proceeds as planned, the price of electricity in Germany will increase by upwards of 20%, according to government estimates. The purpose of this green energy policy is Germany government wants to achieve a climate-friendly and secure energy supply for Germany.

 

The following goals are laid down by law: The share of renewable energies in total electricity consumption will be increased to at least 35% by 2020. By no later than 2050, that share is expected to grow to at least 80%. In 2020, the share of renewable energies in heating is to reach 14%.

There are five green energy source that Germany thinks it will be the primary source for the stable and secure supply.

First, the German government considers wind energy is the key technology for a future carbon-free environment. Wind power is an affordable, efficient and abundant source of domestic electricity. Right now wind energy has a leading position with regard to generating electricity from renewable energies. The German government believes that increasing the use of offshore wind energy,also replacing older installations with modern, more effective ones, these ideas are still debatable.  Second, the German government plans to further exploit the potential of hydro-power by replacing and build new mini-hydro-power plants.  Third, Biomass for generating electricity or heat includes renewable resources such as wood, but also animal or vegetable waste. In 2009 around 9% more electricity was generated from biomass, bio-gas and landfill then a year before. Forth, the sun provides us with enough energy every year to cover Germany’s energy. Last, Geothermal energy is an energy source which in all probability will never run out. Geothermal installations for power generation are supported by the German government under the Renewable Energy Sources Act.

Right now in Germany:

Right now other nations are watching closely to see how the experiment proceeds, and whether they should follow the German lead. “Germany’s Energiewende can mobilize a global energy revolution,” says Harry Lehmann, chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energies.  The result in the Energiewende is not either stopped or cancelled, using expert termed a “chaotic standstill.” Merkel’s energy plan called for the addition of 25,000 megawatts of sea-based wind turbine power by 2030. However through the first six months of 2012 only 45 megawatts had been added to Germany’s existing 200-megawatt supply, according to an industry analysis. And despite massive subsidies funded by a household energy surcharge, which currently comprises 14 percent of German power bills, major wind projects in the North Sea are being delayed or canceled due to skittish investors. The household in Germany pays the second highest electricity price in Europe.  Right now people in Germany are questioning the entire Energiewende policy. They did not get the promises that the government gave, and they are paying higher rate than others. The high costs, low and unreliable productivity, intractable problems with grid integration, a reliance on subsidies that impose bizarre and counterproductive distortions on energy markets, and an unbreakable dependency on the fossil fuels it is supposed to displace. People are also complaining about the place of those Green energy equipment, some say that the equipment is blocking the sun from the people. Wind farms are notoriously unreliable as a power source. Not only that, they take up vast amounts of space and kill tens of thousands of birds annually. During winter time the demand is higher than summer time but the power source is less gets deliver to people.

 

Germany’s Energiewende is leading the world to become carbon-free environment. The estimate about the entire green energy was great that within 30 to 40 years they will be able to replace the fossil energy with renewable energy. Turns out that there are lots of unexpected result that appear while operating the event. People in Germany are questioning the estimate of this project, also some people from animal protective foundation are questioning the equipment killing wild species. People still paying the highest electricity price in Europe, and the cost of every equipment is also giving the citizen a lot of pressure. Right now they are having a different opinion about the benefit that this green energy will bring. I guess we just have to wait for the time to tell.

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2013/09/05/germans-revolt-against-germanys-green-energy-revolution/ “Forbes, Germans Revolt Against Germany’s Green Energy Revolution.” by William Pentland, 9/05/2013

http://www.bmu.de/en/topics/climate-energy/renewable-energy/general-information/ “BMU, General Information Renewable Energy.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9559656/Germanys-wind-power-chaos-should-be-a-warning-to-the-UK.html “The Telegraph, Germany’s wind power chaos should be a warning to the UK.” by Christopher Booker, 9/22/2012