Renewable energies are 'Bright spot' in the bleak outlook of the CO2-

The IEA presentation showed a largely pessimistic view of the world progress in clean energy. "The drive clean of the world energy system has paused", said Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven. "Despite much talk of world leaders, and despite a boom in renewable energy over the last ten years is the average price per unit of energy, which is now basically so dirty like 20 years ago."

The report, tracking clean energy progress, measures each technology and sector against 2020 targets and results in a metric, the energy sector carbon intensity index (ESCII), which shows that pro is emitted as much CO2 given unit of energy. The ESCII measured 2.39 tons of CO2 per ton of oil equivalent (t CO2/t MTOE) in 1990; This number was almost up to the year 2010 unchanged at 2.37 t CO2/toe keep stable.

"As world creep higher temperatures due to increasing emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide – two-thirds of which come from the energy sector - the general lack of progress should serve as a wake-up call," said van der Hoeven. "We cannot afford not another 20 years listlessness. We need a rapid expansion of energy technologies with low CO2 emissions, avoid a potentially disastrous warming of the planet, but we must accelerate also move away from dirty fossil fuels."

Renewable energies are a "ray of hope"

Although progress remains alarmingly for most of the technologies are reduced, which could move the world to the international climate targets, the IEA report presents some positive recent signs. Technologies for renewable energy and increased efforts of in developing countries are "among the few bright spots", said the Agency and van der Hoeven called renewable energy "a light in the dark" presentation.

From 2011 to 2012, the report says, grew up solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind technologies to 42% and 19%, and despite continuing economic and political turmoil in both areas. Emerging markets increase their clean energy efforts-for example Brazil, China and India among the countries, supporting the policies for the sector of renewable energies in the year 2012 advanced.

The IEA report provides recommendations for each technology. The Agency of coal prices and the phase-out of fossil fuels subsidies recommends arguing that the actual cost of energy of consumer prices must reflect that. Technologies such as electric vehicles, wind and solar will need support for several years, the report says, but it warns that policy should be more flexible and more transparent. While it forecast that growing economic competitiveness support robust renewable sector growth, the IEA stressed that effective political support design is essential, including facilitating network integration through market reforms.

The Agency recommends broader introduction of concentration solar power (CSP) and offshore wind energy as well as improved Rd &:-d for promising new technologies such as ocean power. But renewable energy technologies are largely as planned by 2020 to achieve objectives, improves performance, deployment is scaled and expand markets worldwide the IEA found.

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Solar would be the bright lights in New York City

City could Bill of New York to come from more than the bright lights on Broadway. Big Apple is also increasingly with solar power, in particular from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar shine.

Presented earlier this year, the city of New York City solar, a collaboration tool, an estimate of the solar-photovoltaic potential for the 1 million buildings in the five city boroughs are. The interactive map, hosted by the City University of New York (CUNY), based laser system on information of flights over the city by plane with an antenna equipped. The device, known as LiDAR for "image detection and ranging," information about the shape, angle, size and shade the roofs with the surface surveys of soil, buildings and trees collected. Analysis of the data showed that the city peak has a solar potential of 5,800 megawatts - more than 40% of the city electric demand at peak times, when all the roofs fully with solar have been equipped. About two-thirds of the city's structures are solar panels to the House.

CUNY's work at the NYC solar map was funded by the Energy Department in 2007 and the American recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009. For the complete story, see the energy blog.

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