Global Wind Energy Capacity up by 22% in 2010
Global wind capacity grew by 35.8 GW in 2010, a 22.5% increase from 2009 (158.7 GW), according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The world's total installed wind capacity is now 194.4 GW.
For the first time, more than half of all new wind power was added outside of traditional markets in Europe and North America. The shift was driven mainly by the continuing boom in China, which installed 16.5 GW in 2010 and now claims global leadership with 42.3 GW.
Still, the rate of growth dropped for the first time in 20 years, shrinking by 7% from 38.6 GW in 2009, due largely to slowdowns in the US and Europe.
The U.S. wind industry built 5,115 MW last year, which was about half of 2009's record pace, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). However, AWEA says the U.S. entered 2011 with over 5,600 MW under construction.
The one-year extension by Congress of the Section 1603 Investment Tax Credit for renewable energy is expected to spur project start ups to meet the new deadline for the tax credit, which now expires at the end of 2011. See the GWEC press release, the GWEC summary , and the AWEA press release.
Halving Carbon Emissions from New Cars Achievable by 2030
Makers of cars and light trucks sold around the world can double vehicle fuel efficiency and cut carbon emissions in half by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The agency is a partner in the Global Fuel Economy Initiative (GFEI), which has produced a report on the potential for fuel-economy improvements around the world.
The report concludes that the global fleet of new light-duty vehicles- cars, vans, pickup trucks, SUVs - had an average fuel economy of about 30 mpg in 2005 and could potentially reach 60 mpg by 2030. Automakers can achieve this goal by combining incremental technology improvements for conventional vehicles, augmented with sales of electric vehicles.
To meet the goal, the report recommends countries create regulatory and fiscal environments that encourage automakers to use technology to improve fuel economy rather building heavier or more powerful vehicles (as has been the trend).
Although some countries, such as India, already have a fairly fuel-efficient fleet, significant gains are possible in most industrialized countries, resulting in a 50% gain in fuel economy overall.
The GFEI, launched in early 2009, aims to achieve a 50% improvement in average fuel economy for the entire global fleet of light-duty vehicles by 2050. Achieving that goal would result in saving six billion barrels of oil per year. See the IEA press release and the GFEI report .
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
