National Geographic recently published “The Myths About Renewable Energy.” Here are five highlights:
MYTH #1: RENEWABLE ENERGY IS UNRELIABLE.
There will always be days when clouds cover the sun or the wind is still. That’s true. But those conditions are unlikely to occur at the same time across all geographic areas.
Weather variations can be managed. In Sweden and Austria, where much of the power comes from renewables, grids are coordinated across large geographic areas, allowing renewable energy to be sent to places experiencing a temporary weather lull.
MYTH #2: ROOFTOP SOLAR IS SUPER PRICEY.
Solar panels now cost about $2.30 per watt, compared with $35 per watt in the 1980s.
Plus, a family home with solar panels can save close to $1,000 a year on electricity bills.
MYTH #3: WIND POWER KILLS WILDLIFE.
There are stories of birds, whales, and even insects being killed or injured by wind turbines.
When it comes to marine mammals, however, National Geographic reports that researchers have found no evidence that offshore wind development has killed them.
Wind turbines can be a problem for certain bird species. Scientists are studying why some species are more vulnerable and whether painting blades black or using contrasting patterns might help. Some companies are also using AI-powered cameras to temporarily slow or shut down turbines when flocks fly by, reducing bird deaths by 62% without affecting energy production.
MYTH #4: ELECTRIC CARS CAN’T GO FAR WITHOUT RECHARGING.
Early electric vehicles could travel less than 40 miles per charge. Today, some 50 models can travel more than 300 miles, with others topping 500.
Concerns about EV battery longevity may also be overstated. Only about 1% of batteries manufactured since 2015 have needed replacement. Tesla found that charging capacity in its sedans dropped only 15% after 200,000 miles.
MYTH #5: RENEWABLES ARE ON TRACK TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
The world is in a better place because of renewable energy, but leaving our energy production as it is today is not sustainable.
That’s why fair comparisons between energy sources matter. And making those comparisons requires separating the myths from the facts.
Source: National Geographic, Five Common Renewable Energy Myths, Explained
Author’s Note:
Myth #6 Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a limitless replacement for fossil gas. It’s not mentioned in the original article but RNG can help provide clean(er) energy in multiple ways. It is the product of diversion of methane producing waste which is a plus for the environment since methane is significantly more damaging than carbon. RNG reduces landfill use by positively utilizing waste that pollutes at multiple levels. For us at Davidson Environmental RNG is a hot topic. We’ve written about it multiple times in our blog to help our potential customers learn about the nuances of energy production and environmental protection. This, after all is what we are all about. We encourage you to read on.
For more info about Renewable Natural Gas see our blogs:
