An International business advisory firm "Boston Consulting Group" released a report last Wednesday that examined seven key energy sectors. It projects dramatic gains for some in the short term, while others are expected to take much longer to expandConventional fossil fuels will keep their status as the main source of global energy for at least the next two decades, but some re-newables – such as biofuels, solar power and onshore wind – should soon be able to compete effectively without subsidies, according to a new study.
The report notes that much of the momentum toward renewables, built up in the years before the worldwide recession, was lost as energy prices fell, project financing declined and alternative energy companies saw their stock prices drop. Some sectors have since regained strength, and the report’s authors say it is now clear that ones that can be scaled up at reasonable prices will take a permanent position in the energy landscape.
Concentrated Solar: Systems that focus the sun’s energy to heat fluids, which are then used to generate electricity, are becoming competitive with conventional power generation. In areas with lots of sunlight and lots of room, it could be a significant electricity source by 2020. The energy can also be “stored” in the thermal fluids, then used when needed. Lack of transmission links could slow the roll-out.
Also in climatically colder areas solar power is gaining ground. One of the worlds largest solar energy collector islands (see picture insert above) is located in Almere, the Netherlands, considered one of Europe's most avant-garde cities. A brand new city built on reclaimed land from the ocean with the first inhabitants settling there in 1976. The Almere "Solar Island" started producing energy in June of this year and eventually will supply some 2700 homes with heat and hot water.
EU-Digest
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