Renewable Energy Policies around the World

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Australia’s Politics in Renewable Energy

Australia and its progress towards moving away from a fossil fuel based energy system to a renewable system and the Prime Minister’s (PM) role in the changes or lack thereof. Using a mixed-method case study and multi-criteria analysis four of the most recent PM’s have been evaluated and compared to one another. Factors include the PM’s political stance on climate change, policy targets, planning, and economic conditions.

These factors help understand why Australia is a 1st world developed country with a relatively low population, compared to some other countries, but higher population densities is having trouble moving away from fossil fuels. Larger and more densely populated countries could have an even more difficult time in making the switch as well.⁴⁶

 

Energy Consumption in China: Past Trends and Future Directions

Researchers were looking at China’s past trends of energy consumption in an attempt to predict future consumption. China’s recent economic growth over the last few decades is expected to continue making China’s energy production and consumption an issue for the entire world. The paper foretasted an approximate 3.8% rise in energy demand for the years 2004-2010. The conclusion of the analysis predicted significant growth of energy demands for the years 200-2010.⁴⁷

 

Thirty Years of North American Wind Energy Acceptance Research: What Have We Learned?

How have people’s attitudes towards wind energy changed over the last 3 decades? The social aspects of wind energy production through a variety of measures and attitudes towards wind farms has shown that Americans are accepting of the idea of wind farms which goes against the concept of  “not in my backyard” (N.I.M.B.Y.).⁴⁸

 

Dynamic Relationship between Financial Development, Energy Consumption, Trade and Greenhouse Gas: Comparison of Upper Middle Income Countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and America.

The relationship between 34 countries in the areas of greenhouse gas emissions, financial development, energy consumption trade and urbanization at different levels of industrialization were examined. The findings suggests that policy makers should focus efforts of financial development and urbanization in Asian countries as they are in earlier stages of development than some Western countries. If the trends that western countries have shown apply for the future of upcoming Asian countries then there is a chance to curb greenhouse emissions in the futures of these nations.⁴⁸

 

Barriers to Wind Energy Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Interviews were conducted in Newfoundland to understand why the area is still dependent on fossil fuels for energy despite the area being so well suited for wind energy development. The number one reason found was the political influences. Following reasons include economic, lack of understanding and in-fighting about which alternatives to pursue.

This illustrates that even though an area is a prime candidate for other forms of alternative energy moving away from fossil fuels there are social obstacles to overcome as well as the technical challenges.⁴⁹

 

The Future of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme in Europe: The Case of Photo Voltaics.

The Feed-in Tariff scheme is a framework of policy that encourages clean energies in both electric and heating. If one is able to produce more energy at the domestic level so that excess is fed back into the grid there are monetary incentives to do so. It is a cash back incentive for adding back into the grid with what is essentially a negative net use scenario. Energy companies entrenched in the fossil fuel racket will fight against photo voltaic feed-ins because it has a direct effect on their bottom line.⁵⁰

Sweden is the number one leader in renewable energy on the planet. Sweden is a country in Europe that is becoming one of the first nations to go 100% fossil fuel free. The country has eliminated fossil fuel usage and, in turn, invested heavily into solar and wind energy while also investing in advanced energy storage, smart grids and clean transportation. Sweden is also challenging surround countries to “race” Sweden to the 100% goal.⁵¹

Energy Priorities in Costa Rica

Followed by Sweden, Costa Rica is number 2 in its use of renewable energy. 99% of energy in this Central-South American country came from renewable energy in 2015 and the goal is so be completely carbon- neutral by 2021. Costa Rica, along with Nicaragua which is number three on the list, is committed to environmental preservation and, though small, it meets most of its energy needs using hydropower, geothermal energy, solar energy and wind energy.⁵²

Bitcoin’s Insane Energy Consumption

As computers become ubiquitous worldwide and computing power increases the energy required to run, these processes will create higher demands for energy.

An interesting example of the need for energy for computing power is illustrated in the example of the requirements to perform processes in bitcoin mining. The complex nature of bitcoin mining requires higher amounts of energy and if the current trend of rising value of bitcoin then energy demands are sure to rise.

It is important to remember this is but one example of the need for more computing power heading into the future as technology advances.⁵³