Renewables picking up the slack

Feb 25 - Building Operating Management

Renewables picking up the slack U.S. Energy consumption is expected to grow 1.5 percent a year over the next two decades, using more renewable energy sources than previously thought.

U.S. Energy Information Administration, in its longterm forecast, says oil prices will nearly double by 2025 and natural gas production will decrease. The result is old sources of energy, such as coal and nuclear, will increase but so will renewable sources, such as wind.

Electricity generated by non-hydro renewable sources, such as solar and wind, will increase 1.9 percent a year to 518 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 from 10.4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2003.

Despite the greater use of renewable energy, the increase in coal will lead to a 1.5 percent increase per year in carbon dioxide emissions - from 5.7 metric tons in 2002 to 8.1 million in 2025.