There are many forms of renewable energy that can be used by the state. Both solar power and wind power provide great electricity. Waste-to-energy plants in some states are a lucrative option. They compete with utilities to make money by converting waste into useful energy. Some states allow waste to energy plants, while others ban them.
Solar electricity installations accounted for more than 48% of U.S. renewable electricity capacity
As of the end of 2021, solar electricity installations made up more than 48 percent of the U.S.'s total renewable electricity capacity. The data are broken down by type. Utility-scale solar PV is the most prominent with 59.534.5 GW installed capacity and generating 111.755 GWh. Meanwhile, small-scale PV made up the second-largest share with 32,972.3 GW of installed capacity.
According to the EIA, solar electricity installations will account for more 48 percent of new renewable energy capacity in the United States over the next two-years. Utility-scale solar, when combined with battery energy storage will add 51 gigawatts to the nation's electricity grid.
More than 48% of the power generation was from wind power
The United States is home to more than 81 GW of installed wind energy capacity, according to the EIA. Texas is the nation's leading state for wind energy production, with over 92 Terawatt-hours annually. This is more energy than the other three states combined. They account for only 6 percent of the nation's electricity generation.
Wind energy has become a main energy source. This is because of its potential to help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Today, wind energy is used in many different ways. It can supply electricity or heat. While wind energy accounted for less than 2% of electricity generation in 1990, it now accounts for more than 48% of renewable energy in the country. Also, wind energy is essential for agriculture and forest. While biomass can be used to produce heat and electricity, it has historically been a niche resource.
Biomass accounts for 9% world's primary fuel supply
Biomass can be used to produce bioenergy and is the backbone of the bioeconomy. It is rapidly increasing and the demand for biomass products will increase as the world transitions towards a low-carbon economy. Biomass is a versatile resource that can be used in many ways. It can be used to make high-quality food products or as waste from the paper industry. Around 55% to 60% of biomass is currently used as food and feed, with the remainder being used for bioenergy. Another important application for biomass is in the chemical industry. Biobased chemicals are in high demand.
Wood is the most common type of biomass. It can be round wood or industrial wood. Wood can be used in many ways, including space heating and industrial processes. It also serves as a source of steam for steam turbines. Anaerobic digestion is another way to create methane from biomass. Methane can also be made from solid waste materials and sewage. Other sources include manure, agricultural and industrial waste. Additional to wood, biomass is also used to produce alcohols via distillation.
Africa's total energy generation was 20% natural gas
Africa has huge natural gas production potential. It was responsible for 20% of Africa's total energy generation. Although it does not have any coal-fired power plants in the continent, there is a huge potential for solar power production. Solar photovoltaic generation holds particular promise for rural areas in Southern Africa.
Africa's energy crisis is a serious problem. Bridging this gap is crucial to its economic development. It is also imperative because the impacts of climate change are expected to fall heavily on the continent. Africa's policymakers are increasingly calling for developed countries in Africa to take the lead in reducing GHG emission. These countries, which have become rich from fossil fuels, want to support developing nations in tackling climate change with technology and financial assistance.
Alaska's coal production accounted for 20%
Coal is an energy source that is still in high demand despite its negative environmental impact. Coal is used for electricity generation and accounts for more than 30% of U.S. energy production. However, coal is not as inexpensive as it was in the past. Because coal is not renewable energy, it is not always the best option.
While coal accounted more than 20% for the state's energy generation in 2010, it is still a vital part of the economy. It is undergoing a transformation and renewables cannot replace the many jobs that coal workers lost. A booming renewable energy industry is creating new opportunities. Clean energy jobs are much more lucrative than the average job and require no college degree. The fact is that 45% of those who work in clean energy earn significantly more than their counterparts from other industries, and they don't even have to have a college education.