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Costa Rica is much more than a lush, green tourist paradise; it's also a green energy pioneer. The small Central American nation has generated 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources for the past 113 days, and the run isn't over yet. The country, which draws clean energy from a variety of renewable sources, still has its sights on a full year without fossil fuels for electricity generation.
With a 113-day stretch of 100-percent renewable energy under its belt and several months left in the year, Costa Rica is edging closer to its target. Costa Rica could be on track to match the record set with its renewable energy production last year, which accounted for 99 percent of the country's electricity. That included 285 days powered completely by renewable sources, according to the Costa Rican Electricity Institute.
It's a small country with 5 million people and not a lot of heavy industry, but it's still impressive. There are many other countries with similar climate and terrain that could do likewise.
Previously:
Costa Rica Gets 100% of Its Power from Renewables for 1st Quarter of 2015
Costa Rica Achieved 99% Renewable Energy This Year
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 25 2016, @02:01PM
Are they generating 100% of the energy themselves, or is this one of those BS "credits" things where they "buy" green energy from some other country but still generate "dirty" energy themselves, like how someone in New York can get their energy from wind farms in Texas?
If it is the former, then it is very impressive. If it is the latter, then not so impressive. The goal is impressive, though.
(Score: 5, Informative) by ikanreed on Thursday August 25 2016, @02:24PM
It's mostly the former. There is a "trick" or two that they're not making a big part of the PR releases, but I'd argue it's not really dishonest.
1. They have very low per-capita energy usage. That mostly comes down to economy. If everyone in Costa Rica had a washing machine and an air conditioner, they'd be generating a lot less than they needed.
2. Hydroelectric power(the main renewable there) in Costa Rica is pretty seasonal. They get heavy rains in the hottest parts of the year, but less other times. You can expect as we get into November and December for a good third to half of their power to come from non-renewables.
3. There are brownouts as a result of trying to look 100% renewable to the world. Going for this 100% thing and seeming impressive to the rest of the world has costs to them, and if they were willing to accept bursts of 5-10 days of being 100% renewable instead of these longer periods, they could do better about this.
So... all in all, there are important nuances, but they aren't accounting tricks exactly.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Thursday August 25 2016, @03:19PM
"very low per-capita energy usage."
Train of thought was, "Well with the earthquake and all, and with Hillary using their misfortune to enrich herself . . . oh, wait, Costa Rica, not Haiti."
But the punch line still applies. Costa Ricans aren't spoiled Americans, so it's comparably easy to meet their needs using renewable sources.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 25 2016, @03:54PM
That post is a case of being so far up your own butt that you find shit and think its gold.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Thursday August 25 2016, @06:48PM
At the same time, they don't have nearly as much money per capita to build windmills with as countries with higher energy use.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 25 2016, @11:53PM
On the other other hand, Don Quixote isn't fucking things up for them.
(Score: 2) by Hawkwind on Thursday August 25 2016, @09:46PM
I'm aware of one island (Madeira?) where they're getting around this somewhat by pumping water to higher elevations with 'surplus' energy for later energy production. Another strategy (might be the same place) is solar, which can be in abundance during the dry season.
Amazing what can happen when oil becomes very expensive.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by martyb on Thursday August 25 2016, @04:51PM
Do note that this article concerns 100% renewable generation of just their electricity needs; not their energy needs. So, for example, gas/petrol powered cars are not included. Don't get me wrong, this is still a major accomplishment — it would be great if more countries could say the same about their electricity needs and use.
Wit is intellect, dancing.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Thursday August 25 2016, @06:51PM
True, but they're also introducing biofuels, so they're working on it.
(Score: 2) by martyb on Thursday August 25 2016, @10:22PM
Oh? Hey, that's nice to hear! Once they've got the low-hanging fruit in one area taken care of, time to move on to another one. Notably, with the advancements in electric vehicles, they may be able to take advantage of THAT over time, as well.
Wit is intellect, dancing.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 26 2016, @02:37AM
it's about you not finding out there is a big oil spill