Moving forward with the Paris Agreement
The future of wind energy
GLOBAL WIND AND ENERGY COUNCIL ( GWEC )
case . What are ‘ the critics ’ supposed to be measuring ? The effectiveness with which wind turbines extract energy from a moving stream of air ? The theoretical maximum energy that can be extracted from a moving column of air is 59.3 percent , called the Betz limit . However , as the fuel is free , what is the relevance ? What is relevant is the cost of the electricity that comes out the other end .”
Moving forward with the Paris Agreement
In the past , it ’ s been vitally important that major players in the energy market agree on these large climate promises . However , in the last 25 years , the US has been reluctant to agree and this has held back China , India , Australia and Canada . The Paris Agreement , however , seems to be different with more countries recognising its importance .
Sawyer says : “ Countries seem willing to move ahead without the US , although most would welcome their participation and it ’ s too soon to tell what the new administration is actually going to do .
“ Having said that , the participation of the world ’ s largest economy is obviously critical in the long term ; and it would be much better if it participated in the short term as well .”
The future of wind energy
After two record breaking years in 2014 then 2015 , the wind power industry doesn ’ t seem to be slowing in growth and with Paris Agreement now in place , many countries are looking to wind to further the goal towards decarbonisation .
Sawyer believes cost could be another driving factor , he says : “ I think the precipitous drop in prices for offshore projects in the past few months is going to have a significant impact on that sector – certainly in the short term and probably in the medium term . Policymakers in other parts of the world are starting to notice ; and we may have more projects like our current work in India in other markets around the world in the coming years .”
With wind being one of the most cost-effective ways for countries to meet goals for renewables and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels , there ’ s no doubt it ’ ll play a big part in the future of our planet .
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