Here are some depressing statistics:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat1p1.html
Despite all the talk about the increase in renewable energy, over the
last 13 years the real winner has been coal. From 1994 to 2005 actual
generation from coal increased by 323,000 thousand megawatts, while
"other renewables" such as wind increased by 18,000 thousand
megawatts, 18 times less.
Natural gas grew by 297,000 thousand megawatts.
Growth rates are about the same. 2005 actual generation with coal is
119% of the 1994 value, whereas renewables are 127% of the 1994
value. At this rate, renewables will not catch up any time in the
next 500 years.
"Other renewables" include: "Wood, black liquor, other wood waste,
municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge waste, tires, agriculture
byproducts, other biomass, geothermal, solar thermal, photovoltaic
energy and wind."
- Jed
