2017 - breakthrough year for renewable energy
With thanks to Bulb Energy
Here are some facts about renewable energy in 2017:
1. The cost of renewables hits a record low. Offshore-wind came down to just £57.50 per megawatt hour. That’s cheaper than gas and much cheaper than nuclear. It exploded the myth that renewables are more expensive.
2. Britain has its first coal-free day since 1882. On Friday 21 April the UK went a full 24 hours without using any coal to generate electricity. And between June and September over half (52%) of electricity generation was met by low carbon sources.
3. Scotland sets a wind energy record. In the first six months of the year wind turbines produced enough power to meet the average electrical needs of 124% of Scottish homes.
4. Scotland launched world’s biggest tidal energy turbine. This 550-tonne machine will add to Scotland’s already huge tidal energy production. In August, the tidal power station in the Pentland Firth generated 700 megawatt-hours of electricity, a world record amount for a single month.
5. Britain’s first subsidy-free solar farm opened. September saw the landmark opening of the Clayhill Solar Farm. The farm has 30,000 solar panels and is producing enough electricity for 2,500 homes.
6. Costa Rica goes for 300 days on renewables. In November the Central American country broke its own record by running for 300 consecutive days on 100% renewables - a mix of hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and biomass.
7. Countries work together at Bonn. A new alliance of 19 nations, led by the UK, has pledged to phase out coal. And, in opposition to their own President, a huge group of US states, cities and businesses committed to emissions reduction goals.
8. Tech giants go green. This year Google became 100% green. Amazon now has six solar farms and four wind farms. And Facebook and Apple are each working on completely green data centers.
9. Car giants go electric. Virtually all the major car manufacturers committed to going electric, including Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Toyota and many more. Even Lamborghini got in on the act.
See also blog on A community powered by its own renewable energy
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With thanks to Bulb Energy, 17/01/2018