[Bldg-sim] Grim projection of renewable energy use

[Vikram Sami]

I think we are in flux right now, and as such its going to be hard to
make a prediction based on trends. For example, if the federal RPS had
passed, the outlook would have been very different. Ultimately its not
entirely an issue of percentages, but also absolute numbers. For example
in the 1940s - 1950s, there was a 30% renewable mix. Today we produce
more renewable energy, but the overall percentage is far below. 
 
Initiatives like architecture 2030 work towards reducing the overall
consumption levels. We need policy makers to step in and encourage the
other side of the equation. One of the items removed from the recently
passed bill was a motion to transfer 13.5 billion dollars in subsidies
(billion with a B) from the top 5 oil corporations to fund renewable
energy production. 
 
To quote Al Gore in his Nobel speech: 
We have everything we need to get started, save perhaps political will,
but political will is a renewable resource. 

So let us renew it, and say together: "We have a purpose. We are many.
For this purpose we will rise, and we will act."

 

Vikram Sami, LEED AP 
Direct Phone 404-253-1466 | Direct Fax 404-253-1366 

LORD, AECK & SARGENT ARCHITECTURE
1201 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30361 
Responsive Design * Technological Expertise * Exceptional Service 
www.lordaecksargent.com 

Please don't print this email unless you really have to. 
In the United States, we use enough office paper each year to build a
10-foot high wall that's 6,815 miles long or two and a half times the
distance from New York to Los Angeles. 

~ Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, "Recycling Facts and
Figures," PUBL CE-163, 2002. 

 

________________________________

From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Ramana Koti
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 11:31 AM
To: BLDG-SIM at ONEBUILDING.ORG
Cc: sbse at uidaho.edu
Subject: [Bldg-sim] Grim projection of renewable energy use


Dear all,

The Annual Energy Outlook 2008 by the DOE EIA
(http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/trends.html) predicts that in 2030, 83%
US primary energy supply requirements would still be met by traditional
fossil fuels, compared to 85% in 2006. I find this in direct contrast
with goals set by initiatives like Architecture 2030... 

Does anybody know more about how realistic these predictions are and if
there are better opportunities for renewable energy?

Thanks,

Ramana Koti, LEED AP
Sustainable Building Analyst

ELEMENTS division of BNIM architects
106 W. 14th Street Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri 64105

p 816.783.1635 f 816.783.1501
www.bnim.com| elements.bnim.com 
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