The findings of the study, "100% clean and renewable wind, water, and sunlight (WWS) all-sector energy roadmaps for the 50 United States," published in the journal of Energy & Environmental Science, urge the U.S. to convert 80 to 85% of its all-purpose energy systems to ones powered by WWS by 2030, and 100% by 2050. "…Conversions are technically and economically feasible with little downside," write the research team, led by Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford University professor, which adds, "These roadmaps may therefore reduce social and political barriers to implementing clean-energy policies." Furthermore, the researchers say that the conversion to WWS - onshore wind, offshore wind, utility-scale PV, rooftop PV, CSP with storage, geothermal, wave, tidal and hydro - should stabilize energy prices, since fuel costs will be eliminated. They calculate that each person in the U.S. could save an average of US$260 annually, with individual U.S. health and global climate costs decreasing by an average of $1,500 and $8,300 per year, respectively. Minimal land is also required for the conversion. Solar's contribution Solar PV and concentrated solar power (CSP), combined, could account for over 45% of power generation in the U.S. in 2050. PV alone could account for 38%, comprising 4% residential rooftop, 3.2% commercial/government rooftop and 30.8% utility-scale. To meet these goals, the study says 75 million new residential rooftop PV systems would need to be installed, and 46,480 utility-scale plants. See table below for further information: Energy technology Rated power one plant (MW) % of 2050 all-purpose load met by plant Nameplate capacity of existing plus new plants (MW) % nameplate capacity ...Den vollständigen Artikel lesen ...