In order to gain a more global and comprehensive knowledge of energy efficiency, we took a look into sustainability around the world.
Germany
As a leader worldwide in energy efficiency and innovation, we chose to look at Germany as an example of a developed country on track toward becoming almost entirely sustainable and clean. We spoke with Christian Hoepfner, a native German who now works for Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems researching photovoltaic cells and energy efficiency, about the culture of energy efficiency in Germany today.
In summary, we learned that:
In summary, we learned that:
- While sustainability is present in German politics, there is much less debate than there is in the US about its importance. There is a societal consensus that energy efficiency and renewable sources are critical issues; the conflict is more about cost and taxes.
- Germany's goal is to reach the threshold of 80% renewable electricity by 2050, having eliminated nuclear power by 2022. Their sources would be about 50% solar and 50% wind.
- On an individual level, things like PV (photovoltaic or solar-powered) systems are much more present in households and within communities, and have been around for much longer.
- While they import oil and natural gas (from England, Scandinavia, Russia and the Middle East) Germany is actually a net exporter of electricity.
- It is estimated that in the next few years it will be cheaper to heat a house in Germany with solar energy rather than oil or gas.
Morocco
Morocco, a small country in western Africa, has recently been investing in more renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, in order to ease their dependance on fossil fuel imports. They have officially commenced the construction of a 160-megawatt solar panel plant near the desert city of Ouarzazate.
in 2009, Morocco launched one of the largest solar energy plans in the world, costing about 9 billion dollars. Its aim is to generate 2,000 MW of solar capacity by 2020, and contribute 18% percent to the countries annual electricity generation.
While driving around the country, you can see, every now and then, rows of solar panels along the roads, like streetlights. There can be solar panels seen on some houses, as well as on larger public buildings. The photo seen above, shows the amount of solar energy being used by the Casablanca airport.
- The project will cost 7 billion Dirhams (817.55 million US dollars), and is expected to become the world's largest solar facility of its kind when it is finished in 2015.
- The project will employ about 1,000 employees, creating 60 permanent jobs. When the project is completed it will have the capacity of 500 MW, which will provide electricity for the 1.5 million people in Ouarzazate.
- Morocco has one of the highest rates of solar insulation of any country, around 3,000 hours per year of sunshine.
- This solar plan will save Morocco around 1 million tons a year, and prevent 3.7 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
in 2009, Morocco launched one of the largest solar energy plans in the world, costing about 9 billion dollars. Its aim is to generate 2,000 MW of solar capacity by 2020, and contribute 18% percent to the countries annual electricity generation.
While driving around the country, you can see, every now and then, rows of solar panels along the roads, like streetlights. There can be solar panels seen on some houses, as well as on larger public buildings. The photo seen above, shows the amount of solar energy being used by the Casablanca airport.
Israel
While the US gets most of its electricity and heat from coal, Israel uses oil more than other sources. Israel gave up any oil reserves it had when it ceded the Sinai peninsula to Egypt after the Yom Kippur War, so they import most of their oil. This is quite expensive, and therefore makes the cost of living in Israel very high, since for them, oil is their electricity, heat, and their fuel for transportation. This generally means that most people try to conserve energy by turning off lights whenever possible and keeping showers short (especially because of water scarcity). With the exceptions of Jerusalem and the Golan, there are very few elevated terrains in Israel big enough to develop wind farms. There is a wind farm in Golan Heights, but otherwise that technology is not as widely used. Solar energy, on the other hand, is incredibly popular in Israel and rising rapidly. The Negev desert is home to solar farms, but many people use solar panels in their homes as well to heat their water, and they are increasingly becoming a part of everyday life. Some solar panels are imported, although there are some Kibbutzes where making solar panels is a specialty, so there is a fair mix between imported solar panels and solar panels made within the country.