Renewables in this review
Renewable energy includes energy derived from natural processes that do not involve the consumption of exhaustible resources such as fossil fuels and uranium
Hydroelectricity, wind and wave power, solar and geothermal energy and combustible renewables and renewable waste (landfill gas, waste incineration, solid biomass and liquid biofuels) are the constituents of renewable energy.
The definition of Primary Energy in the Statistical Review confines itself to traded fuels (commercial renewables). Consumption of hydroelectricity has been reported in the Statistical Review for many years, and biofuels have been included in oil consumption. The Review includes additional tables on the consumption of renewable sources of electricity other than hydroelectricity and on the production of biofuels.
The definition of Primary Energy in the Statistical Review confines itself to traded fuels (commercial renewables). Consumption of hydroelectricity has been reported in the Statistical Review for many years, and biofuels have been included in oil consumption. The Review includes additional tables on the consumption of renewable sources of electricity other than hydroelectricity and on the production of biofuels.
Electricity generation from renewables
The coverage and quality of data relating to non-hydro renewable power is improving steadily, especially where countries have adopted policy targets for renewables. It is now possible to provide a reasonable estimate for total power generated from renewable sources. This is based as far as possible on primary national sources, supplemented as necessary by data from secondary sources, such as Eurostat, the US Energy Information Administration, and the International Energy Agency. The Statistical Review database stretches back to 1965, but any data before 1990 should be treated with caution due to major breaks in data series. (Fortunately the numbers before 1990 are generally very small, and too small to affect primary energy aggregates).
The Statistical Review collects data on power generated in TWh, and converts this to Mtoe on the same basis as hydroelectricity and nuclear power (i.e. on the basis of thermal equivalency assuming 38% conversion efficiency in a modern thermal power station).
The Statistical Review collects data on power generated in TWh, and converts this to Mtoe on the same basis as hydroelectricity and nuclear power (i.e. on the basis of thermal equivalency assuming 38% conversion efficiency in a modern thermal power station).
Despite high growth rates, renewable energy still represents only a small fraction of today’s global energy consumption. Renewable electricity generation (excluding hydro), is estimated to account for 3.9% of global electricity generation. Renewables are, however, starting to play a significant role in the growth of electricity, contributing about 20% of the growth in global power generation in 2011.
At the individual country level these sources are already playing an important role in some countries. For example, wind power generation has a significant share in total electricity generation in Denmark (28%), Portugal (17%), Ireland (16%), Spain (15%) and Germany (8%); geothermal sources account for more than a quarter of total electricity generated in Iceland, and more than a fifth in El Salvador and Kenya.
The rapid growth of renewable power generation continued in 2011. Global growth was 17.7%, only marginally slower than the 17.8% growth recorded in 2010. Traditionally Europe and Japan have been the leaders in renewable development, on the back of generous government incentives, but now the US and China have joined in with significant investments in wind capacity in particular. The renewable energy industry is rapidly gaining importance in terms of contribution to the economic activity and employment. The Statistical Review provides further information in the form of consumption tables for solar, wind, and other renewables, and capacity tables for wind, solar and geothermal power.
At the individual country level these sources are already playing an important role in some countries. For example, wind power generation has a significant share in total electricity generation in Denmark (28%), Portugal (17%), Ireland (16%), Spain (15%) and Germany (8%); geothermal sources account for more than a quarter of total electricity generated in Iceland, and more than a fifth in El Salvador and Kenya.
The rapid growth of renewable power generation continued in 2011. Global growth was 17.7%, only marginally slower than the 17.8% growth recorded in 2010. Traditionally Europe and Japan have been the leaders in renewable development, on the back of generous government incentives, but now the US and China have joined in with significant investments in wind capacity in particular. The renewable energy industry is rapidly gaining importance in terms of contribution to the economic activity and employment. The Statistical Review provides further information in the form of consumption tables for solar, wind, and other renewables, and capacity tables for wind, solar and geothermal power.
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