Book: Renewables not fossil fuel solution
BERKELEY, Calif., Jun 12, 2012 -- UPI
Renewable energy technologies such as solar cells and wind
turbines do not offset U.S. fossil fuel use and could in fact
accelerate it, a researcher says.
University of California, Berkeley, visiting scholar Ozzie
Zehner has written a book, "Green Illusions," that argues
building more solar cells and wind turbines could actually
increase fossil fuel use unless nations take other steps to
avoid a "rebound" effect.
While many assume solar cells and wind farms will displace
coal use and lower carbon dioxide levels, Zehner argues that
subsidizing renewable energy merely expands energy supplies,
which exerts a downward pressure on prices.
Energy demand subsequently increases, he said.
"This brings us right back to where we started: high demand
and so-called insufficient supply," says Zehner. "Historically,
we've filled that added demand by building more coal-fired power
plants, not fewer.
"We create an energy boomerang," Zehner said in a PBS
interview. "The harder we throw energy into the grid, the harder
demand comes back to hit us on the head. More efficient solar
cells, taller wind turbines, and advanced biofuels are all just
ways of throwing harder."
Countries will have to institute socioeconomic innovations
rather than technical ones to avoid the boomerang effect, he
said, including lower per-capita energy consumption, energy
taxes that would increase over time, and binding long-term plans
to improve building and equipment efficiency.
"The United States meets none," of these innovations, Zehner
said. "In fact, in countries such as the United States, with
dismal efficiency, sprawling suburbs, a growing population, and
high rates of material consumption, renewable energy
technologies do the most harm as they perpetuate
energy-intensive modes of living."
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