USA: Geothermal Energy Enjoys Healthy Growth in Generation

EIA: Renewables Share Overtakes Nuclear Years Earlier Than Expected (North American Windpower)

Generation of electricity from geothermal energy increases 5.3% in a year

The latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information’s (EIA) Electric Power Monthly has revealed that renewable energy sources, including wind power, are now providing a greater share of the nation’s electrical generation than nuclear power.

For the first third of this year, renewables and nuclear power have been running neck-in-neck with renewables, providing 20.20% of U.S. net electrical generation during the four-month period (from January to April) compared with 20.75% for nuclear power.

Yet, in March and April, renewables surpassed nuclear power and have taken a growing lead: 21.60% (renewables) versus 20.34% (nuclear) in March and 22.98% (renewables) versus 19.19% (nuclear) in April.

Almost all renewable energy sources are experiencing strong growth rates. Comparing the first four months of 2017 with the same period in 2016, solar has grown by 37.9%, wind by 14.2%, hydropower by 9.5%, and geothermal by 5.3%. Biomass has remained essentially unchanged – slipping by just 0.3%.

Geothermal energy in the USA generated 5,945 megawatt hours in April, up 5.3% over the year.  California generated 4,202 MWh an increase of 6%, Nevada 1,355 MWh - increase of 2.9%, Utah 181 MWh - increase of 3.9%, Oregon 85 MWh - up 15.6%, Hawaii 85 MWh - up 11.5%. Idaho - 32 MWh (up 0.5%) and New Mexico - 5 MWh (up 5.6%) round off the list.

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