Thursday, August 30, 2012

USA:

Renewables share of generation increasing this year (RenewablesBiz)

Biomass, geothermal, solar and wind power provided nearly 6% of the nation’s electric generation during the first half of the year, according to a government study. Non-hydropower renewables are growing as a share of the U.S. generation fleet as well.

According to the latest issue of the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA)Electric Power Monthly” with data through to June 30, 2012, non-hydro renewable sources provided 5.76% of net electrical generation for the first half of 2012.

The January-June period represents an increase of about 11% compared to the same period in 2011. Geothermal grew by 0.2%. For the first six months of 2012, geothermal contributed 0.4% of net electrical generation.

During 2008, non-hydro renewables accounted for 3% of net electrical generation with an average monthly output of 10,508 GWh. By mid-2012, the average monthly electrical generation from non-hydro renewables had grown by 78.7% to 18,777 GWh. Comparing monthly electrical output in 2008 versus 2012, geothermal has expanded by 13.5%.

According to the latest issue of the monthly “Energy Infrastructure Update (PDF)" published by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of Energy Projects with data for the first half of 2012, 229 renewable energy projects accounted for more than 38% of new electrical generation capacity (not to be confused with actual generation). This includes 5 geothermal projects (87 MWe).