Renewable Energy : Perspectives On Germany

Fossil fuels and other power generates are slowly changing the world. Alternative power sources are slowly becoming more popular in everyday life while the technology progresses. Using these power sources that don’t pollute the atmosphere could be the change in the world that completely changes the way the world uses energy. Engineers and technicians have been producing these alternative ways for years and years. A few, but not limited to consist of: Solar panels, Wind turbines, Wave tech and much more.

Through careful analysis of policy at the local and national level in Germany, I will work to identify the areas in which policy and attitudinal changes could have the greatest effect on energy consumption. Energy savings can be found in the embodied energy of a structure, as well as through the inputs of energy into buildings and outputs of waste that require energy to treat (e.g. sewage, trash). For example, in Germany, laws requiring companies to implement “cradle-to-grave” waste controls sharply contrast with U.S. policy that puts the onus on the consumer to make sure waste is disposed of— and emissions are accounted for—properly (JWNET 2010).

On the same note, the energy revolution spoken of above brings forth another advance in the ongoing global climate situation. The nature of the Kyoto Protocol calls for nations to increase research and eventually semi-convert their energy usage to accommodate for cleaner energy. Products such as solar power, wind power, biomass, geothermal power, and hydropower are now widely being studying to create processes that use less coal, oil, and natural gas in production. Altogether the results have

Renewable energy has currently become a significant aspect in the countries generation, combination, and a constitution focus of government policy for energy, and environmental protection. As a result of public’s growing responsibility for the environment and constantly binding rules, and regulations of emission in the electric power industry, government has facilitated policies to boost the amount of renewable energy in the electricity generation portfolio. Additionally, the generation of electricity from renewable resources creates insufficient, and frequently, zero emissions of pollutants that comes from traditional fossil fuel production technologies. The additional use of renewable energy aids utilities in their emission agreement obligations. Furthermore, the anticipation of agreement with any future carbon emissions management would further toughen the incentive to move towards cleaner electricity creating technologies (Langwith, 2009).

This article discusses the requirements needed to achieve a shift from the troubled world energy situation away from fossil fuels. It discusses the cost the transition away from fossil fuels. Highlighted, is a scenario developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute, Fossil Free Energy Scenario. Germany is a leader in the climate change issue. The article also discusses policies that could be implemented to improve and possibly solve the climate

Wind power is one of the controversial forms of alternative energy for fossil fuels. These article by the CQ Researcher bring us a question of whether the federal government should do

Though the United States has been holding back, several other countries have begun making changes for “scientific uncertainty is no excuse for inaction on an environmental problem,” as stated by a German principle in the 1980s. Later in 1990, Germany added environmental protection in their constitution (John Dryzek, 167). Several other countries have also implemented Green policies and set goals to accomplish in the upcoming years. In Saskatchewan, Canada, the 2009 investment for wind powered renewable energy was reported at $162 billion dollars towards the installation of renewable energy (Garrett Richards, 691). Europe also has allocated $105 billion Euros to “subsidize ‘green’ programmes and infrastructures,” The Renewable Energy industry involves 350,000 jobs and generates 40 billion Euros a year in business, according to Oliver Shafer, the policy director of the Renewable Energy Council in Brussels (Quirin Schiermeier, 264-265). In 2009 when

The switch to clean energy in the United States and around the world is a difficult necessity that must be met within the subsequent five to six decades. The prolonged use of damaging fossil fuels and other unsustainable forms of energy are greatly damaging the planet. These sources of non-renewable energy are bound to run out in the following century. Millions of square kilometers of Arctic ice has melted so far, the sea level is rising, and the CO2 levels present in the atmosphere are drastically increasing (Chang). The transition to renewable energy must be met; however, this is not a process possible to achieve overnight. This change will require an extensive amount of resources and time but will reap many benefits to the users of this growing technology.

Fossil fuels are finite resources and once those are used up we need a way to continue living regularly, as our lives are built upon the ability to harness energy and produce electricity. As technology increases, alternative types of energy have become more and more enticing. Renewable energy is a very controversial topic today and has been around since the industrial revolution. Prior to the Revolution, which started in Britain in the late 1700s, manufacturing products was often done through the use of hand tools or basic machines in people’s homes. From the 18th to 19th centuries industrialization marked a shift to powered, specialty machinery, factories and mass production, all of which are used today to help with the processing of renewables.

The ways in which we produce energy to heat our homes and run businesses is changing - we are at the beginning of a revolution that is long overdue. The reason we need to start protecting our environment is that our current methods are draining the planet's resources.

Over the past decade, energy has brought social, economic and environmental advantages and played a major role in the urbanisation and industrial revolution. However, after the uncontrollably frequent use of these energy sources, depletion of these energy sources also became a major concern which brings about its own economic, social and environmental disadvantages. Of a particular concern is the availability of these energy sources which affects both industry and the lives of the consumers.

The International Energy Agency estimates that by the year 2003 forty percent of the world's energy production will be from sources other than fossil fuels or nuclear power. Nevertheless, the need for

It is a clean, practical alternative that would satisfy the world economy's growing energy demand." Today there are 212 nuclear power plants in the world and the number is expected to rise to 250 in the next five years. Nuclear power already provides 75% of power in France and 20% here in the United States (McQuinn). Like nuclear energy, wind energy is also becoming more popular and efficient. Large wind turbines powered completely by wind gusts generate up to 233 megawatts of power every minute (Roberts 12). Homeowners and farmers can now own their own wind turbines and have their unused energy purchased by energy companies. Wind energy is very popular in Germany especially where at least 33% of the countries energy comes completely from wind turbines (Roberts 13).

The most of global energy production produces from fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas. The vast fossil fuels generate energy which use for many purposes for instant residential, transportation and industrial sectors. While the rate consumption of fossil fuel higher than their formation leads to oil price crisis. Another concern of fossil fuel combustion is the impact on the environment. Global warming is a significant problem which results in increasing concentrations of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. These problems drive researchers and societies to search alternative energy such as switching to renewable energy or carbon-free energy to replace fossil fuels. For example Nakata et al., (2011:465) show ‘low-carbon society’

Subsides are being provided directly to renewable energy generators by governments all over the world. German has launched an aggressive campaign to have 100% of its energy come from renewable sources. The German government gives direct subsidies to individuals and businesses for the installation of roof top solar panels on their property, thus making renewable energy more attractive for small renewable energy generators (Burgermeister, 2009). Direct subsidies have become a required part of renewable energy for small producers to find it cost effective and current efficiency levels show that they will be required for many years to come.