Renewables Could Supply 80% of U.S. Electricity By 2050

A new study published last week by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) states that even using today’s technology the United States could supply most of its power needs from renewables within the next 40 years. All the country would have to do is commit to building the necessary infrastructure to support the currently available technology.

Titled “Renewable Electricity Futures Study,” the study takes a look at the country’s potential for using renewable energy sources to meet electricity demands of the future. It focuses on obtaining 80 percent of our needs from alternative sources, stating that such a percentage would be attainable by 2050 using technology commercially available today. By meeting such a goal, it also stated that the U.S. could also see dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and water use.

The study is the largest and most comprehensive one ever done on the subject, compiled from data provided by contributors and organizations with interests in renewable technology, including the federal government, industry representatives, universities, and non-governmental organizations.

Researchers focused on the extent to which renewable energy solutions such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal could power the nation, but also on the role in which so-called clean technologies like clean coal and nuclear power could play. In order to meet a goal of 80 percent from renewables, the study looked at the characteristics of all available technologies, how geography can affect the capacity of each, and how the grid could be adapted to supply this renewable electricity to the entire country. It expects wind and solar together to be able to provide at least 50 percent of the total energy generation needed, with other sources filling in the gaps.

President Obama’s “All-of-the-Above” domestic energy strategy aside, it’s great to see the DOE putting together studies such as this one. With ultra-conservative organizations attempting to turn the American public against renewable energy projects, a report like the “Renewable Electricity Futures Study” can go a long way towards helping us make our energy future a clean, renewable one.

[via RawStory]

Image Credit: Black Rock Solar/Flickr