16 item(s) were returned.
Note: Synopsis adapted by OurEnergyPolicy.org from APS press materials and report’s executive summary. Synopsis intended solely for purposes of generating discussion. Integrating Renewable Electricity on the Grid By the American Physical Society Panel on Public Affairs The United States has ample renewable energy resources. Land-based wind, the most readily available for development, totals more than 8000 GW of potential capacity. The capacity of concentrating solar power is nearly 7000 GW in seven southwestern states. To date, 30 states plus the District of Columbia have established Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to require a minimum share of electrical generation produced by renewable… [more]
View InsightNote: Synopsis based U.S. DOE summary provided to OurEnergyPolicy.org. Complete text US DOE Mission and Goals The mission of the Department of Energy is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. Goal 1: Catalyze the timely, material, and efficient transformation of the nation’s energy system and secure U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies. Goal 2: Maintain a vibrant U.S. effort in science and engineering as a cornerstone of our economic prosperity with clear leadership in strategic areas. Goal 3: Enhance nuclear security through defense, nonproliferation, and environmental… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Research must help us to find the solution to GHG emissions from electricity generation. Given the current technologies and the growth rate of the developing countries (based mostly on coal), we need new technologies that when ready can be implemented as government policies. We strongly recommend increasing the research grants for global warming with emphasis on solutions. Therefore, the federal government should allocate special research funds for short term solutions… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Wind energy is a good renewable solution for parts of the nation. The challenge with wind is accommodating its variability and uncertainty. It means that using the current technology, wind must work in conjunction with natural gas powered plants that could be started quickly to fill production gaps. It increases the capital costs of the electrical utilities. We have good wind conditions only in parts of the country (like the… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] Solar energy is currently a good renewable solution for peak usage period (which are usually the hottest hours of the day). The policy should focus on: Extend the federal incentives for the next 10-15 years. The current short term regulation creates instability for the investors and slows down the development of solar solutions. Incentives should be technology neutral. Investors need stability and predictability. The current renew/don’t renew political episodes every… [more]
View Insight[Note: The statements below are intended solely to stimulate discussion among the Expert community, and do not represent the position of OurEnergyPolicy.org. Text in italics indicates clarification or expansion.] The main recommendation is to let the free market do its work. It is likely that gasoline prices will continue to rise over the next 20 years and as a result will encourage consumers to buy more efficient cars, drive less, use more public transportation, live closer to work, etc. Government intervention is required only to nurture the market for oil replacement. The last oil shock and the new economic… [more]
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