Integritus Prime

As we ramp up our technology portfolio for AZENTIVE, which includes wind, solar, sanitation, heating, cooling, and lighting technologies, I was curious to see what milestones are making headlines around the world in the renewable energy arena.

What I found is a breath of fresh air, and very inspiring for anyone working in climate change, and renewable or clean energy technology. Here are my little nuggets of renewable energy joy.

1. Dutch electric trains are now powered solely by wind energy.  Dutch company Eneco, funded by the national Dutch railroad company NS, achieved this goal a year early, and powers 600,000 passengers, and 5,500 trips daily. Thats around 1.2 billion kWh per year!
2. Google Chile is now 100% powered by renewable energy. The El Romero plant, which is 16.1 million square feet, or the size of 211 soccer fields, was fully operational in 13 months.
3. UAE will invest $163 billion in renewable energy projects as part of its strategy to derive 44% of its energy mix from renewables by 2050. The strategy includes a 40% increase in energy usage efficiency.

Nationally, Iowa is making headlines by becoming the number one ranked state for clean energy procurement. An honorable mention at the city level is Las Vegas, which now boasts all city-owned buildings powered by renewables. Now, if only the private sector would follow suit.

A theme in these stories is the speed and relative ease with which these achievements and decisions are being made using strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches. Renewable energy is poised to become a new global and national norm as prices go down, job opportunities abound, and smart investors see the future unfolding. Along with the right behavioral tools, we can also harness the long-term benefits of these technologies by using and maintaining the innovations correctly. Onward!

Renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind are becoming increasingly popular around the world and in the U.S. Photo credit: Arto Marttinen.