The Germans have taken off when it comes to renewable fuel sources and have become one of the major players in the alternative energy game. Under the auspices of the country's electricity feed laws, the Germans set a world record in 2006 by investing more than $10 billion (US) in research, development, and implementation of wind turbines, biogas power plants, and solar collection cells. Germany's "feed laws" allow German homeowners to connect to the electrical grid through some renewable energy source and then sell any excess energy produced back to the power company at retail prices. This economic stimulus has propelled Germany to the number one position among all countries regarding operational solar arrays, biogas plants, and wind turbines. The 50-terawatt-hour electricity produced by these renewable energy sources accounts for 10% of Germany's energy production per year. In 2006 alone, Germany installed 100,000 solar energy harvesting systems.
In the US, BP Corporation has established an Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) to lead extensive new research and development efforts in clean-burning renewable energy sources, the most prominent biofuels for ground vehicles. BP's investments will grow to $50 million (US) per year over the next decade. This EBI will be physically located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The university is in partnership with BP and will be responsible for researching and developing new biofuel crops, biofuel-delivering agricultural systems, and machines to produce renewable fuels in liquid form for automobile consumption. The university will lead efforts in genetic engineering, particularly concerning the creation of more advanced biofuel crops. A central focal point for EBI will also be technological innovation to convert heavy hydrocarbons into pollution-free and highly efficient fuels.
In the US, too, there is a fight between Congress and the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). GEA Executive Director Carl Gavel recently wrote to Congress and the Department of Energy, saying this is the only way to ensure that DOE and OMB do not revert to their irrational insistence on ending the geothermal research program, specifically Congress hearing on geothermal is to be scheduled. Energy, it is potential, and the role of federal research. In addition, Gavel further noted that recent studies by the National Research Council, the Western Governors Association Clean Energy Task Force, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are expanding geothermal research funding to develop the technology needed to use this vast, untapped domestic renewable. Support. Energy resources.
Proponents of geothermal energy, such as this author, are astonished that the public is aware of the enormous benefits America can reap both practically and economically from research and development of renewable alternative energy sources. Geothermal energy is already less expensive to produce in terms of kilowatt-hours than coal mined by the US. Geothermal energy is readily available, sitting a few miles below our feet and easily accessible through drilling. Ormat, the third-largest geothermal power producer in the US and has plants in several different countries, already has a billion-dollar a year business.
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