Controversial Cleantech: Three Alternative Energy
Resources Spurred by Government Support, Spurned by Extreme Greens
Mar 10 - MARKETWIRE
As controversial as they are viable, three alternative energy resources
are gaining government support as practical solutions in the global
clean-energy revolution: carbon emissions trading, clean coal, and
nuclear power. Government stimulus monies worldwide are funding clean
coal research and technologies and safe nuclear power generation as
cap-and-trade emissions options remain under debate.
The carbon emission trading market hangs in the balance as some
countries enact programs and others, like the United States, dawdle over
the decision. In recent years, significant global governmental
involvement in the stabilization of the concentration of atmospheric
greenhouse gases has facilitated tremendous growth in the market for
carbon emissions trading. The value of the carbon market grew from $727
million in 2004 to $118 billion in 2008, representing a 256% CAGR over
the period, according to SBI Energy's Carbon Emissions Trading Markets
Worldwide.
Pending the outcome of future regulatory and policy decisions, further
strong growth is expected in the carbon emission trading market as the
global economy recovers from the recent economic recession. Bolstered by
continued growth in volume, the global carbon market value is projected
to grow by 68% per year from less than $84 billion in 2009 to $669
billion in 2013. (http://www.sbireports.com/Carbon-Emissions-Trading-1926753/)
With nearly 2,250 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted per megawatt hour
electricity produced from an average coal plant in the U.S., the volume
of carbon dioxide far outpaces other pollutants emitted from coal
combustion, according to Clean Coal Energy Technologies: Markets and
Trends Worldwide. The most promising option for significant carbon
emissions reductions for the future is carbon capture and sequestration
(CCS). Carbon capture and sequestration technologies involve the
removal, or capture, of carbon dioxide emissions from the exhaust stream
from coal combustion or gasification processes and the subsequent
disposal, or sequestration, of these emissions in such a way that they
do not enter the atmosphere. As a result, carbon capture and
sequestration has the potential to provide near-elimination of carbon
dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
SBI Energy reveals that global generation of clean coal-powered
electricity is currently valued at over $61 billion with the value of
electricity generated through clean coal technologies expected to
increase by nearly 11% per year to over $102 billion in 2013.
Projections are that the aggregate volume of clean coal electricity
generation will grow by 10% per year from 1,249 terawatt hours in 2009
to 1,792 terawatt hours in 2013. (http://www.sbireports.com/Clean-Coal-Energy-1926747/)
Compared to other fuel types such as coal, gas, and petroleum, nuclear
still remains the cheapest energy source to produce in the U.S. but
expensive to operate and maintain. Nevertheless, nuclear technology is
emerging again as a viable energy source for dozens of nations
worldwide. Countries are analyzing their nuclear technology capabilities
as a means to appease their growing concerns over global warming and
climate change, the associated need to reduce carbon dioxide and
greenhouse gas emissions, and the rising costs of competing energy fuels
and technologies. The U.S., France, and Japan comprised more than half
of the global value of nuclear energy technology in 2009, according to
Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide: Components and Manufacturing.
SBI Energy reveals that the U.S. is the global leader in nuclear energy
technology manufacturing, having a total market value of $51 billion in
2009. By 2013, SBI Energy projects that the U.S. market value will reach
$61 billion, growing at an eleven-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of 3%. (http://www.sbireports.com/Nuclear-Energy-Technologies-1926673/)
About SBI Energy
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energy, building/construction, and automotive/transportation markets.
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SOURCE: SBI
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