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Share of global electricity
[ 11, 230 ] gCO2eq/kWh Carbon Intensity

Unspecified-renewables refer to a collective category of energy sources that harness natural phenomena to generate electricity, but are not explicitly defined as a specific type of renewable resource like wind or solar. This designation can include a variety of green energy forms with variable environmental impacts, yet they are generally recognized for their potential to provide electricity without the significant environmental footprint of fossil fuels. Emphasizing the clean energy agenda, unspecified-renewables symbolize a crucial shift towards more sustainable electricity generation practices.

To generate electricity from unspecified-renewables, several technologies might be at play, including but not limited to, wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric dams, and potentially even biomass or geothermal facilities. Each of these technology types harnesses natural forces or substances to produce electricity. For example, wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then used to turn a generator and produce electricity. Likewise, solar panels utilize photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Both represent pivotal, low-carbon energy technologies within the broad category of unspecified-renewables.

Despite their benefits, there are some challenges associated with unspecified-renewables. One significant drawback is the variability in carbon intensity. While unparalleled in their role as green energy sources, some renewable forms like biofuels have a carbon intensity of up to 230 gCO2eq/kWh, slightly higher than other low-carbon sources. Nonetheless, when compared to fossil fuels like coal and oil, which contribute upwards of 650 to 820 gCO2eq/kWh, unspecified-renewables offer a cleaner alternative essential for combating climate change.

Another limitation associated with unspecified-renewables is air pollution. While technologies such as wind and solar emit virtually no pollutants during operation, some methods, including biomass, might release pollutants when combusted. These emissions can contribute to local air quality issues and health problems, though they are still significantly less than those associated with fossil fuel energy sources. Therefore, it is vital to continue refining and advancing clean technologies such as wind, solar, nuclear, and others to reduce any negative impacts further and ensure a clean energy future. These endeavors will play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable and reliable electricity generation while minimizing environmental consequences and addressing urgent climate issues effectively.

In advocating for clean electricity, a focus on expanding nuclear and solar is critically important. These technologies are not only low in carbon emissions but also offer a sustainable path to large-scale electricity generation. Nuclear power stands out with its incredibly low carbon intensity of just 12 gCO2eq/kWh, offering a stable and reliable power source. Meanwhile, solar energy, at 45 gCO2eq/kWh, presents an ever-growing opportunity to harness the abundant energy of the sun. Expanding these green energy sources is crucial in ensuring that more than half of our electricity comes from clean, low-carbon technologies, helping us combat climate change and air pollution while powering the future demands of electrification and AI development.

Country/Region kWh/person % TWh
Republic of China (Taiwan) 166.2 W 1.3% 3.8 TWh
New Mexico 95.2 W 0.5% 0.2 TWh
Hawaii 49.5 W 0.6% 0.1 TWh
Alaska 43.2 W 0.5% 0.0 TWh
Utah 28.1 W 0.3% 0.1 TWh
Vermont 21.2 W 0.2% 0.0 TWh
South Dakota 19.7 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Czechia 17.9 W 0.3% 0.2 TWh
Minnesota 17.1 W 0.1% 0.1 TWh
Idaho 13.9 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Finland 13.7 W 0.1% 0.1 TWh
Norway 7.7 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Slovakia 7.2 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Croatia 6.7 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Belgium 6.3 W 0.1% 0.1 TWh
Delaware 5.7 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Illinois 4.7 W 0.0% 0.1 TWh
Poland 4.3 W 0.1% 0.2 TWh
Washington, D.C. 4.1 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Florida 4.0 W 0.0% 0.1 TWh
Arizona 3.9 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
New Hampshire 3.4 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Lithuania 3.1 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Rhode Island 2.8 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Italy 2.8 W 0.1% 0.2 TWh
West Virginia 2.3 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Estonia 2.2 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
EU 2.1 W 0.0% 1.0 TWh
Romania 2.0 W 0.1% 0.0 TWh
Montana 2.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Slovenia 1.4 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Kansas 1.4 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Nevada 1.3 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Ireland 1.3 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Hungary 1.2 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Spain 1.1 W 0.0% 0.1 TWh
Germany 0.7 W 0.0% 0.1 TWh
France 0.4 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Connecticut 0.4 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
United Kingdom 0.2 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Wyoming 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Arkansas 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Colorado 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Tennessee 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
North Carolina 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Alabama 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
Ohio 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
South Korea 0.0 W 0.0% 0.0 TWh
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