Larger Role for Renewable Energy in U.S. Future Than Previously Thought

Existing renewable energy source can supply most of U.S. needs // Source: axortagos.gr

submitted by Samuel Bendett

Homeland Security News Wire - June 22, 2012

Renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adequate to supply 80 percent of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050 while meeting electricity demand on an hourly basis in every region of the country; new study finds that renewable generation could play a more significant role in the U.S. electricity system than previously thought

A report published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Renewable Electricity Futures Study (RE Futures), is an initial investigation of the extent to which renewable energy supply can meet the electricity demands of the continental United States over the next several decades. This study explores the implications and challenges of very high renewable electricity generation levels — from 30 percent up to 90 percent, focusing on 80 percent, of all U.S. electricity generation from renewable technologies — in 2050. At such high levels of renewable electricity generation, the unique characteristics of some renewable resources, specifically geographical distribution and variability and uncertainty in output, pose challenges to the operability of the nation’s electric system.

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NREL - Renewable Electricity Futures Study
http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/re_futures/

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) - Renewable Electricity Futures Study - 4 Volumes (each volume is a large .PDF file)
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/52409-1.pdf