Renewsable Energy Digest - File #10

Time for Renewable Energy Race

by Deb Powers

China has...the most aggressive renewable energy deployment in the world, for wind, solar and nuclear, and are already beating their targets.
Hal Harvey, Climate Works

In a  must-read editorial on renewable energy in Sunday's NYT, Thomas Friedman makes some pointed observations about the future role of the United States on the world's renewable energy stage. In part, he says,

And that is what China is doing, innovating more and more energy efficiency and clean power systems. And when China starts to do that in a big way — when it starts to develop solar, wind, batteries, nuclear and energy efficiency technologies on its low-cost platform — watch out.You won’t just be buying your toys from China. You’ll be buying your energy future from China.

Friedman makes the argument that if the U.S. government doesn't push through hard standards for energy efficiency, the U.S. is doomed to fall further into its role of global consumer. I'd argue that those standards need to be coupled with a resurgence of the national spirit that powered the Space Race of the 1960s. Maybe if we do that, we can stop whining about how much money it will cost and start cheering on a successful Race to the Future powered by wind, solar and renewable battery power.

Other renewable energy news...

• China considers higher energy efficiency targets - 15% by 2020
• Wisconsin wind power progress stalls because of outdated transmission systems
• Renewable Energy OpEd: Turning baby steps into long strides
• Investing in smart grid technology
• Renewable energy backpack generator brings power to the people
• IRENA says Gulf region will export solar energy
• Plant shutdown reignites German nuclear power spat