A Portal on Sustainability

Renewable energy sources

04.05.2005 · Research Group on the Global Future

In Germany the share of renewable energy in measures of total energy consumption equals 4.4% in 2003. The federal government is currently aiming at a rate of 20% in 2020.
Since energy resources are limited, developed countries like Germany have to both cut down on consumption and look for sound alternatives to ensure sufficient energy supply. Below u can find basic information on the possibilities and accomplishments that have been made in the area of renewable energies, which include solar power, geothermal energy, hydropower, wind power and biomass energy.

More information on the German effort regarding Renewable Energy can be found on the site of the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

The conference “Renewables 2004” addressed these central issues: How can the proportion of renewable energies used in industrialized and developing countries be substantially increased, and how can their advantages and potential be better used?

Eurosolar  
EUROSOLAR develops political and economic plans of action and concepts, including legal frameworks, for the introduction of Renewable Energies. All political, scientific, technological, and industrial expertise and grass-roots commitments are important parts of EUROSOLAR’s platform and produce concrete guidelines, proposals and mandates for action.

Deutsche Bank Research offers several studies concerning energy problems. E.g. "Perspectives for an Energy supply after the Oil age" (in German).

With its program on Energy, the Environment, and the Economy, the Aspen Institute seeks to provide leaders for consensus building in matters of energy and environmental policies. The site allows you to access various papers, e.g. the Kyoto conference, alternative ways to protect the environment that have resulted from the program.

The Solar Energy Society of Canada maintains a well-structured homepage that offers substantial information on renewable energies in general and solar power in particular. You may also browse through various conference papers on renewable energies topics.

The National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE) is concerned with a wide range of research fields such as environmental protection, the development of natural resources and new forms of energy, and industrial safety, all of which are critical areas for our highly-industrialized societies.

Clean Energy is a consultant firm that works with companies in the field of alternative technologies. To find out what companies are committed to renewable and alternative energy, visit the Clean Energy site, which includes an international classified company directory on biomass, hydropower, wind, photovoltaic and solar thermal energy.

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) presents information that include all kinds of renewable energy. It also offers you the chance to ask an energy expert detailed question and gives you an extensive link list on renewable energy resources.

The Center for Alternative Technology (CAT) states that its mission is to educate and consult on alternative technologies such as wind and solar power. It wants to explore and demonstrate alternatives and show people options to change their lives in a positive direction.

The European Wind Energy Association, EWEA's main objective is to make the general public, the media, decision makers and politicians aware of wind power, and ensure that they understand the rapid progress being made in the industry, which will allow wind energy to play an increasing role as a clean power for generations. EWEA wants to act as a forum for the exchange of information and discussion on issues related to wind energy and promotes the development and the use of wind energy in general.

The online-forum of the International Economic Forum Renewable Energies (IWR) is maintained by the University of Muenster, Germany. It provides information and extensive data on renewable energies, energy law, consulting services, and finance and business information relevant to renewable energy. (Except for IWR homepage, available in German only)

The UN Food and Agricultural Organization's study on bioenergy shows the role of agriculture as an energy producer and draws attention to the potential for developing countries that lies in this energy source. You may also download the full paper.

An alternative fuel was invented in Nevada only a few years ago. A21 - "Advanced Fuels Technology for the 21st Century" - is a mixture of up to 55 percent water and petroleum product from the earliest stages of the refinery process. Water and petroleum products usually do not mix but Rudolph Gunnerman invented an emulsifier that allows the two substances to be blended together into a milky liquid that can be used to run both gasoline and diesel engines with only minor modifications.