Bloomberg New Energy Finance presents a curious book of energy facts. This from the Overview:
The 2017 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook marks the fifth year that BCSE and BNEF have collaborated to document the transformation of the U.S. energy system and the growing contributions of sustainable energy technologies.
Chapter 4.2 in the 165-page book covers wind power.
In the past five years, these contributions have been significant, including:
• The addition of 76 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy generating capacity, and 39 GW of natural gas-fired capacity. Renewables (inclusive of large hydro) and natural gas now meet half of U.S. power demand, up from only 38% in 2011.
• A 10% improvement in US energy productivity, meaning the U.S. economy is using 10% less energy to power each unit of growth.
• A 4% drop in average retail electricity prices in real terms. In New York, Texas, and Florida, prices have fallen over 10% in that time.
• A 12% jump in total gas production, and a 79% surge in shale gas extraction since 2011.
• A 12% improvement in vehicle fuel economy, propelled by federal fuel efficiency standards.
The 2017 Factbook provides an update through the end of 2016, highlighting a number of key developments that occurred as the long-term transformation of US energy continues to unfold. The rapid pace of renewable energy deployment accelerated, consumption and export of domestic natural gas hit record levels, and the economy grew more energy efficient than ever.
Utilities ramped up investments in electric and natural gas transmission, helping create a more reliable energy system. In the face of all this change, Americans are enjoying lower energy bills and are directing less of their household income to energy spending than at any other time on record. The Sustainable Energy in America Factbook provides a detailed look at the state of U.S. energy and the role that a range of new technologies are playing in reshaping the industry. The Factbook is researched and produced by Bloomberg New Energy Finance and commissioned by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. As always, the goal is to offer simple, accurate benchmarks on the status and contributions of new sustainable energy technologies.
The authors also say that the book:
- Aims to augment existing, reputable sources of information on U.S. energy
- Focuses on renewables, efficiency, natural gas
- Fills important data gaps in certain areas (eg, investment flows by sector, contribution of distributed energy)
- Contains data through the end of 2016 wherever possible
- Employs Bloomberg New Energy Finance data in most cases, augmented by EIA, FERC, ACEEE, LBNL, and other sources where necessary
- Contains the latest information on new energy technology costs
- Has been graciously underwritten by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy
- Is in its fifth edition (first published in January 2013)
Get the full e-book here: http://www.bcse.org/sustainableenergyfactbook/
Windpower Engineering & Development
Filed Under: Renewable energy
