One again, evidence for what I have been projecting all along. The doom and gloom prognosticators are simply wrong. The research is consistently showing the TRILLIONS of $$$$$$ that will be made switching to a carbon free/fossil free electric grid. And this analysis doesn’t even take into account the social benefits not the least of which is public health. And, antidotally, I have not seen any reports of green energy hurting anyone financially once installed.
The barriers are falling. And it’s about time. Buckle up!!
A shift to 80% renewable energy could save Germany more than $100B
Published: Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Scientists in Germany have crafted a computer model that replicates domestic energy supplies and demand, in an effort to test how feasible it would be for Germany to rely on renewable fuel sources to cut carbon emissions but still fuel its economy.
REMod-D, or the Renewable Energy Model-Deutschland, is a computer mockup of a German energy future that includes all power-generating sectors. Designed by Hans-Martin Henning and Andreas Palzer, physicists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, the program is based on real energy data from 2011 and 2012, and it balances supply and demand every hour for a full year.
The researchers have run millions of simulations, highlighting the possibility of economically possible paths to pursue a lower-carbon future.
“We wanted to answer the question: Is it possible for Germany to meet its ambitious CO2 reduction target using predominantly renewable energies?” said Henning, adding that the computer simulations indicate a switch to a low-carbon economy could come without damaging business or lowering living standards. “And, if yes, what is the composition of this system, and what is its cost?”
To Eicke Weber, who directs the institute, the response to Henning’s first question is clear. “It is economically to our advantage to move as quickly as possible to a system of 80 percent renewable energy,” Weber said.
A changeover to renewables would cost €500 billion, or $628 billion, he estimated.
“However, between now and 2050, we will realize savings of between €600 billion and €1,000 billion,” Weber added. “These are savings on the total energy system, including fossil fuels and the distribution system.”
