ecofriend.com

Researchers tout renewable power as cost effective way to replace coal US

Most of us eco friendly aficionados know about the pollution reducing nature of energy usage from renewable sources. However, sustainable technology is not just limited to its scope of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. According to a comprehensive study undertaken by researchers at University of California, Berkeley, green technology is the only practically cost effective way by which the coal abundant west United States can replace its high fossil fuel usage.

Study: U.S. West must replace coal power

Utilizing SWITCH, a state of the art computer model of the detailed electric power grid, the researchers have made a complex examination of power generation, transmission and storage options for the states situated west of the Kansas/Colorado border.

They have arrived at the conclusion that ‘decarbonization’ of the current electric power sector is only credible way to go, for putting a check to our future emissions. However, for this to happen, the pollution intensive coal should be the first component that needs to be wholly replaced with more environment friendly solutions.

In this regard, the SWITCH model can also help in identifying areas with low carbon supply options. Such regions can be efficiently managed by newer ‘green’ power installations using a myriad of renewable sources like natural gas, solar, wind, biomass or even geothermal systems. Moreover, to proceed towards that transitional sustainable phase, government agencies can now opt for capping or heavily taxing industries with high rate of carbon emissions.

Via: UPI

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top