Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the potential beneits to nations (both industrialized and developing)
that undertake a transition to these alternative energy forms in an expe-
dient manner; and
despite
the global warming mitigation imperative that
demands national commitments to reduce CO
2
emissions.
Most certainly the growth rates attributed to some of the more com-
mercially attractive alternative energy technologies are impressive when
considered in isolation. For example, the World Wind Energy Association
reports that installed wind power capacity has grown more than tenfold
since 2000.
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However, in absolute terms, the inroads that wind power has
made into the electricity generation sector have been minor. Total global
installed wind power capacity at the end of 2012 amounted to approxi-
mately 282,275 MW,
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enough to satisfy only about 3% of global electric-
ity consumption—nowhere near the level of penetration necessary to make
signiicant contributions to global warming abatement.
his, then, is the emergent dichotomy involving wind energy; although
strong environmental, economic and political justiications exist for nations
to adopt aggressive programs for supporting a transition to economically via-
ble forms of alternative energy such as wind power, the nations of the world
remain highly committed to fossil fuel electricity generation. In the lead-up
to the 15th Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen (COP15), there were
indications that the commitments to be undertaken by developed countries
would be in the neighbourhood of 8 to 12% below 1990 levels by 2020 after
accounting for forestry credits.
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his lies in stark contrast to the 25 to 40%
reduction level described as necessary by the IPCC. Yet even these modest
targets failed to gain acceptance at COP15. Meanwhile, developing countries
lag far behind the industrialized countries in terms of curtailing GHG emis-
sions with most still resisting the concept of making formal commitments.
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Clearly a degree of dynamic tension exists within electricity policy
regimes in all nations. On the one hand, all of the 191 nations that
have ratified the Kyoto Protocol (as of June, 2012) have introduced ini-
tiatives to support the development of renewable energy. Many of the
top economies of the world now have specific renewable energy targets
supported by policy instruments such as feed-in tariffs, production tax
credits, mandatory renewable energy quotas, and production subsidies,
all intended to encourage a greater uptake of renewable energy. Best
practices in policy development have been internationally dissemi-
nated, and policymakers who are intent on pursuing aggressive renew-
able energy development strategies can access numerous accounts of
how countries such as Germany, Spain, and Denmark have recorded
successes in encouraging development of renewable energy through
various policy instruments.
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However, with the exception of a few
