135-year-long streak is over: US renewable sources topped coal in 2019
Two weeks ago, we covered a US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projection that renewable wind, solar, and hydroelectric power would top coal for total electricity generation in 2020. That was particularly believable given that renewables had beat coal in daily generation every day going back to March 24. As it happens, that daily streak finally came to an end this week, as coal picked up amid rising demand and a couple low days for wind. Coal likely topped renewables on Tuesday, although it's possible that rooftop solar generation (not included in EIA's daily data) extended the run until Wednesday.
But the EIA also released some numbers Thursday that highlight a related and interesting piece of trivia: if you include energy use beyond the electric sector and all types of renewable energy, renewables actually beat out coal last year. And to find the last time that was true, you have to go all the way back to the 1880s.
(Score: 2) by cmdrklarg on Monday June 01 2020, @07:34PM
Biomass is just fine; the biomass was already part of the carbon cycle. It's the dug up coal and pumped oil that add more carbon to the environment.
The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.