The first National Clean Energy Summit was held in the United States last August: it was an apolitical event, bringing together public decision-makers and senior executives in the private sector. The recommendations formulated for this occasion are intended for local authorities looking for ways to reduce their energy dependence.
During the event, New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, announced his intention of giving priority to renewable energies: his goal is to make of this megacity (*) the 21st century’s “leading sustainable city”.
New York: an apple with many different flavours!
Often referred to as Big Apple or The city that never sleeps, New York is the largest city in the United States, as well as being one of the world’s foremost economic, cultural and decision-making centres.
At the end of the 19th century started this extraordinary architectural adventure that has made New York “the skyscraper capital of the world”. In 1931, the inauguration of the 381-metre high Empire State Building launched a frantic race towards the clouds.
As a result, the image of New York City has become closely associated with the many buildings that have made the Manhattan skyline (*) universally well-known.
A byword for modernity, dynamism and appeal, New York now faces a major challenge: with a current population of 8.2 million people, it is estimated to grow by one million residents by 2030.
A major energy issue
In this context, Michael Bloomberg wants to make of his city a reference in terms of renewable energies. His “PlaNYC” programme puts forth a strategy to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
To pursue this objective, the municipality launched an appeal for projects: private companies had until September 19, 2008 to submit concrete ideas on the subject. Big Apple is looking to reach energy autonomy by installing wind turbines and photovoltaic panels on its buildings and numerous bridges. Also in project to reduce the city’s CO2 footprint: plant a million trees and introduce a congestion tax to reduce traffic within the Manhattan district.
A following wind … and favourable sea currents!
A natural port, New York has long taken full advantage of its exceptional geographic position at the mouth of the East and Hudson rivers to ensure its economic dominance. Will this localization allow it to also take the lead on energy issues? The ebb and flow of the Atlantic ocean and the rivers’ streams represent an important source of energy, which could be partly transformed into electricity.
Solar and marine energies should eventually meet 20% of the city’s electricity requirements, whilst the wind turbines are expected to contribute a further 10 %.
“Where the production of clean energy is concerned, Mr Bloomberg emphasized, we are resolved to ensure our predominant position in the United States.”
The municipality is also undertaking a vast programme of energy savings, with the objective of reducing energy consumption by around 30% before 2017. This effort would represent a savings of 220 MW.
An initiative which fits logically into a worldwide approach
According to a study published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), more than 450 billion dollars of investments would be necessary by 2050 to achieve a 50% reduction in worldwide CO2 emissions and to produce 50% of world electricity from renewable energy resources (compared with 18% today).
The American wind industry broke capacity installation records in 2007 (almost 5 300 MW).
With a total installed wind energy capacity of 17 000 MW, the United States remains behind the German front-runner, strong of its 22 247 MW. Spain is in third position, with 15 145 MW.
Sources :
http://www.lefigaro.fr/ (In French only)
http://www.america.gov/
http://fee.asso.fr/ (In French only)
Definitions:
(*) Megacity: metropolitan area with a total population in excess of 10 million people.
(*) Manhattan skyline: Manhattan is one of the 5 districts of New York, along with the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. |