Remove 2020 Remove Carbon Emissions Remove Wind Power
article thumbnail

2024 Year in Review: Clean Energy Progress Steeped in Solar and Storage

Union of Concerned Scientists

The latest data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) suggests that solar large and small may have generated 27% more in 2024 than in 2023, and that solar might have accounted for 7% of US electricitymore than double its contribution in 2020. Cumulative US utility-scale battery power capacity.

article thumbnail

How Are Lithium-ion Batteries that Store Solar and Wind Power Made?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Batteries can also be used to assist with peak electricity demand; currently instead of batteries, fossil fuel-powered “peaker plants” are often used to supply energy during high-demand periods. Despite being used infrequently, these plants are inefficient and highly polluting, and contribute to US carbon emissions.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Wind-powered Cargo Vessel Holds Hope for a Greener Future

Ocean Conservancy

While a wind-powered cargo vessel may seem like a 19 th Century idea, the Grain de Sail may be a herald of a greener future rather than a nostalgic nod to the past. After agreeing to a very weak short-term measure in November 2020, the discussions last week focused on new measures that could take effect by 2030.

article thumbnail

Climate Policy and the Audacity of Hope

Legal Planet

New California legislation will require corporations to disclose their carbon emissions. Wind power costs fell by half from 2008 to 2021. Rooftop solar costs in 2020 were a third of what they had been in 2010. In 2020, the cost of single-axis utility scale solar was only a fifth of what it was in 2010.

article thumbnail

How Will DTE’s Long-Term Plan Impact Michigan’s Clean Energy Future?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Earlier this year, the MPSC approved a settlement agreement on Consumers Energy’s integrated resource plan that commits the company to retire all its remaining coal-fired power plants by 2025, construct no new fossil gas infrastructure, and build large amounts of new solar power between now and 2040. What’s in DTE’s proposed plan?

article thumbnail

The EIA Just Released a 30 Year Energy Outlook. It’s… Not Great

Union of Concerned Scientists

CO 2 emissions remain mostly level through 2050—nowhere close to meeting US climate goals. Carbon emissions remain high. Wind capacity steadily increases, mostly due to policy (the federal tax credit, which expires in 2024, and state RPS policies).

article thumbnail

Earth Day 2025: Embracing renewable energy for our planet

A Greener Life

2020 Earth Day went digital due to Covid-19, reaching over 100 million online viewers. 2025 The theme “Our Power, Our Planet” calls for tripling renewable energy by 2030. 1990 Earth Day expanded globally to 141 countries. 2016 The Paris Climate Agreement was signed on Earth Day.