Transmission Bottlenecks Bad News for Renewable Energy

The World Resources Institute’s report cites two (2) grid-oriented issues as the key challenge for renewable energy in the European Union (EU), China, and the United States. Clearly, the report selectively evaluates electric transmission issues; however a reader might assume that there are no other good reasons why renewable energy may have commercialization issues. In addition to the reality that renewable energy typically fails to create a compelling economic model within the free market economy, consider the issue of energy supply. In the case of the United States, the issue of supply versus efficiency is an import factor, however is seldom acknowledged. Since 1970, 75% of all new energy demand in the US have been met via efficient products and processes, not supply (ACEEE). Given that the US economy is only 13% energy efficient, does the US need more energy supply, or should the focus be on energy efficiency? The basic assumption by the Institute is that renewable energy is a solution to the reduction of carbon emissions. Unquestionably, energy efficiency is a carbon reduction solution that does not suffer the commercialization issues renewable energy must overcome to be viable. – Steve Sexton

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