Environment & Energy

TheWraith

(24,331 posts)

15. And those solar costs are still vastly higher is generally affordable.

Sun Jul 1, 2012, 01:39 PM

Jul 2012

While coal is cheap. But those solar panels DO provide Germany with just enough of a greenwashing excuse to feel good about shutting down their nuclear plants--and in the process cranking up dozens of coal fired plants to compensate, because the solar panels aren't doing the trick. Germany is burning MORE coal now than before, not less.

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global coal consumption has advanced by over 50% in the past decade [View all] phantom power Jun 2012 OP

This is why rooftop solar in Germany doesn't mean anything in the big picture. GliderGuider Jun 2012 #1

That isn't true - "Cheap Coal Is Dead. Long Live Renewable Age (Part 1)" kristopher Jun 2012 #2

I'll believe it when I see it. GliderGuider Jun 2012 #3

What's the lifespan on a new coal-fired plant? NickB79 Jun 2012 #4

Renewables Make German Power Market Design Defunct, Utility Says kristopher Jun 2012 #5

That's an epic piece of greenwashing if I've ever seen it. joshcryer Jul 2012 #10

India's largest energy company drops coal and that's greenwashing? kristopher Jul 2012 #14

Largest private generating company; 2.5% of the total generating capacity muriel_volestrangler Jul 2012 #16

Do you think the economics of coal are better for the other companies? kristopher Jul 2012 #17

They may well be better for public generators muriel_volestrangler Jul 2012 #18

That information argues against your proposition kristopher Jul 2012 #19

My 'proposition' is that Tata is 2.5% of the market muriel_volestrangler Jul 2012 #20

I understood your meaning - the conclusion isn't correct. kristopher Jul 2012 #22

The shortage is because India isn't exploiting their own reserves to their maximum. joshcryer Jul 2012 #25

The shortage isn't "artificial" kristopher Jul 2012 #26

What year do you expect coal to be gone as a global energy source? XemaSab Jul 2012 #28

2150 is what Hubbert called the date for "Peak Coal" 2025 according in Energy Watch happyslug Jul 2012 #43

Then why did the Indian government take away that companies rights to mine? joshcryer Jul 2012 #32

India is not reducing their coal consumption. joshcryer Jul 2012 #24

"India grapples with coal shortages" kristopher Jul 2012 #27

India has close to 270 billion tons of coal. joshcryer Jul 2012 #33

How much of a dent do your solar panels make XemaSab Jul 2012 #12

In the meantime, I'm still sitting here waiting for more than a few token rooftop solar panels... Systematic Chaos Jul 2012 #13

Well then we better hope the US rescinds the "punitive" tariffs against Chinese PV companies. David__77 Jul 2012 #29

I must disagree OKIsItJustMe Jun 2012 #8

And those solar costs are still vastly higher is generally affordable. TheWraith Jul 2012 #15

�Germany is burning MORE coal now than before, not less.� OKIsItJustMe Jul 2012 #38

Did you know that Germany is getting rid of coal subsidies? - "Saarland coal exit" kristopher Jul 2012 #39

Yes, I had read that they were OKIsItJustMe Jul 2012 #40

And the administration is planning 6 huge coal ports pscot Jun 2012 #6

We're actually using less coal thanks to wind and efficiency. joshcryer Jul 2012 #11

We're also using less coal because our economy is in the crapper XemaSab Jul 2012 #21

That's true enough. joshcryer Jul 2012 #23

Peak coal hit the US in 1998, in terms of energy, 2002 in terms of volume happyslug Jul 2012 #44

Yeah, I'm quite familiar with that link. joshcryer Jul 2012 #45

Not sure why "advanced" is being used as a synonymn for "increased" here. eppur_se_muova Jun 2012 #7

Yep RobertEarl Jun 2012 #9

The growth comes mainly from China's increased use. David__77 Jul 2012 #30

The renewable portfolio includes a lot more than solar. kristopher Jul 2012 #31

That's good... David__77 Jul 2012 #34

India is building out its coal as well. Hundreds of new plants proposed or being built. joshcryer Jul 2012 #35

The non-OECD countries have DOUBLED their coal consumption since 2002 GliderGuider Jul 2012 #36

Non-OECD countries are the problem children of the global energy family GliderGuider Jul 2012 #37

Yikes. Look at how gas is far far outpacing renewables. joshcryer Jul 2012 #42

Coal is still extremely cheap and in non-OECD states a coal plant can be built quick. joshcryer Jul 2012 #41