Originally published on 1Sun4All.
The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) released a report — 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book — in October of 2013 regarding the status of renewable energy globally and in the US. The report has an abundance of great charts and, in reading through the pages, I discovered that renewable energy accounts for 23% of all electricity generation worldwide (4,892 TWh) (on page 41). I’ve brought out a few of the relevant charts and findings. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
In 2012, Germany led the world in cumulative solar photovoltaic installed capacity, reports the NREL. The United States leads the world in geothermal and biomass installed capacity. China leads in wind, and Spain leads in solar thermal electric generation (STEG). The following is from the 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book:
Leading Countries For Installed Renewable Energy
Image courtesy of NREL | 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book
- Cumulative global renewable electricity installed capacity has grown by 97% from 2000 to 2012 (from 748 GW to 1,470 GW).
- Countries with extensive solar policies—such as Germany, Spain, and Italy— lead the world in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment.
Renewable Electricity By Technology For The World’s Top Countries
Image courtesy of NREL | 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book
Zach mentioned the weakness of this chart is that it doesn’t address the per capita or per GDP leaders. From his post, 18 Fun Renewable Energy Charts From NREL Director Dan Arvizu & Ren21′s Renewables 2013 Global Status Report, he offered the latest on those for wind and solar:
More findings from NREL’s 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book:
Total Global Renewable Electricity Capacity
Image courtesy of NREL | 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book
- The installed global renewable electricity capacity doubled between 2000 and 2012, and represents a significant and growing portion of the total energy supply both globally and in the United States.
Growth of the World’s Sustainable Energy Resources from 2000 to 2012
Image courtesy of NREL | 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book
As a nation, and a global people, we have a significant amount of work to do to change what is happening. I look forward to seeing this report for 2013 with the measurement of the advances we made in the last year.
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