Energy Generation 'Alternatives' Inching Toward 'Mainstream"
Energy generation is the focus of ambitious art projects by Amy Franceschini, HeHe, and SUPEFLEX, among others. Trends in actual energy production are confirming their innovative approaches are slowly inching away from 'alternative' into the 'mainstream.
An article published today on Washington Blog announced that "Nuclear Power I Being Abandoned Worldwide".
In addition, the nuclear decline correlates with renewable energy growth. The U.S. Energy Information Adminsitration announced, "In 2011, renewable sources of energy accounted for about 9.3% of total U.S. energy consumption and 12.7% of electricity generation. This is the largest share of energy consumption since 1950, and the largest share of electricity generation since 1984."
Washington Blog provides compelling statistics to support its assertion, “The [nuclear] industry’s role in electricity production is continuing to decline, according to this year’s World Nuclear Industry Status Report, a compendium of analysis and data by the activist and expert Mycle Schneider. The number of reactors peaked in 2002 at 444, compared with 427 today. The share of electricity they produce is down 12% from its 2006 peak, largely because of post-Fukushima shutdowns in Japan. As a proportion of all electricity generated, nuclear peaked in 1993 at 17% and has now fallen to 10%. The average age of operating plants is increasing, with the number over 40 years old (currently 31 plants) set to grow quite rapidly.
Meanwhile, the U.S. EIA estimates that about 10% of world marketed energy consumption is from renewable energy sources (hydropower, biomass, biofuels, wind, geothermal, and solar), with a projection of 14% by 2035. Regarding world electricity generation, the EIA estimates that about 19% is from renewable energy, with a projection of nearly 23% in 2035.
Perhaps Franceschini, HeHe, and Superflex have influenced these hopeful trends. Who knows?