Explore the Numbers Behind Renewable Energy with an Interactive Visualization

August 4, 2011

Renewable energy sources make up a small but growing percentage of overall energy use in the U.S. (about eight percent currently). A new interactive visualization from GE, GOOD and deeplocal explores different renewable energy sources, like wind, solar and geothermal, and their volume, cost and the pros and cons of each source.

Check it out!

 


This entry was posted in Ecomagination, Graphics, Other, Renewables and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.
  • Bill Collard

    Text in the Renewalable Energy Sources graphical insert is very blurry and nearly impossible to read. The surrounding the insert is very readable.

  • Brian Hughes Barron

    Why is there no mention made of the stupendous amount of “WASTE HEAT” that is lost to our atmosphere, which can be recovered and re-used?

  • James

    I think it is important to make the distinction that what they list as geothermal here is not necessarily just geothermal powerplants but heat pumps in houses as well to provide heating and not electricity. While it could be somewhat considered questionable as to if it is renewable (what if your heat pump is powered by coal?), they are none the less a good idea since they have a coefficient of performace greater than 1. IE you get more thermal energy brought into your house than the electricity needed to run the heat pump.

  • Elona Malterre

    What a great IDEA, this interactive graph is: but is it ever confusing and hard to read sometimes because of the lack of color contrast.

    Also why haven’t you included fossil fuel into the mix — to get a true value, as opposed to having to estimate.

    Again a terrific idea — with just a little refinement — could be a fantastic educational tool.

    Best regards
    Elona Malterre

    Editor EnviroLine

  • Charles Bagnal

    “Geothermal plants produce almost no emissions…” This is not true. Geothermal plants emit hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and often more carbon dioxide than even coal-fired plants.

  • donn dears

    This is a horrendously bad graphic with a great deal of misinformation. The cost of electricity from wind is at least twice the amount shown.
    The same is true for solar and biomass.
    This graphic gives GE a bad name, and misleads the public.
    Not even the EIA gives such low cost estimates.
    Comment is by a retired GE Company senior executive (General Manager).