Renewable Energy - The Future Of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy accounted for 8 percent of the total world energy production in 2001. (See Figure 10.15.) Global energy consumption is expected to increase by 60 percent through the next two decades, reaching 600 quadrillion Btu by 2020. Most of the growth will be in developing countries, particularly in Asia.

In 2003 renewable energy contributed only 6 percent of the total energy consumed by the United States. The nation's fleet of automobiles has become less energy efficient, and consumers are less interested in energy-saving technology. Many economists believe that only a return of higher energy prices will cause Americans to once again reduce their energy use and consider renewable energy sources. Despite their environmental advantage over fossil fuels, renewable energies have never attracted enough financial support from the government, the public, or energy companies to the point that they can be cost competitive with fossil fuel power.