Percent of Electric Power Generated from Renewable Sources
Description:
The production of electric power from renewable sources is becoming more important in Arizona, but it has actually decreased in recent years. In 2010, 6.2 percent of the total energy generated in Arizona was from renewable sources, down from 15.4 percent in 1997. The Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST), approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2006, mandates that 15 percent of energy production in the State of Arizona be from renewable sources by 2025.
Presently, over 95% of Arizona's renewable energy is generated by hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric production may continue to decrease due to the ongoing drought and climate change, but solar energy and especially wind power could take a prominent place in energy production in the future. Alternative energy sources reduce reliance on non-renewable natural resources. Use of solar, wind, biomass and other renewables represents a sustainable solution to increased demand for energy. Additionally, renewable energy produces less air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than traditional sources such as coal.
Data Source:
Data were collected by Arizona State University's Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sprdshts.html, 1990 - 2010 Net Generation by State by Type of Producer by Energy Source (EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923).
Data Quality Comments:
Hydro Conventional does not include pumped storage. Solar includes solar thermal and photovoltaic. Wood and Wood Derived Fuels includes paper pellets, railroad ties, utility poles, wood chips, bark, red liquor, sludge wood, spent sulfite liquor, and black liquor, with other wood waste solids and wood-based liquids. Other Biomass includes biogenic municipal solid waste, landfill gas, sludge waste, agricultural byproducts, other biomass solids, other biomass liquids, and other biomass gases (including digester gases and methane). Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.
Percent of Electric Power Generation in Arizona by Renewable Sources
Visualization Notes:
The percentage of electric energy generated in Arizona from renewable sources has declined since peaking at 15.4% in 1997. The Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST), approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2006, mandates that 15 percent of energy production in the State of Arizona be from renewable sources by 2025. Much work needs to be done on increasing renewable energy sources in Arizona to meet this goal.
Generation of Renewable Electric Power in Arizona (Percent by Source)
Visualization Notes:
CLICKING ON "Hydro Conventional" WILL REMOVE SERIES FROM CHART, SHOWING OTHER SOURCES
Presently, over 95% of Arizona's renewable energy is generated by hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric production may continue to decrease due to the ongoing drought and climate change, but solar energy is poised to take a prominent place in energy production in the future and the state's first wind farm has opened near Holbrook and is generating electricity.
Notes: Hydro Conventional does not include pumped storage. Solar includes solar thermal and photovoltaic. MSW = Municipal Solid Waste. MSW Biogenic includes paper and paper board, wood, food, leather, textiles and yard trimmings. Other Biomass includes agricultural byproducts/crops, sludge waste and other biomass solids, liquids and gases. Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.
(*) Value is less than 0.5 of the table metric, but value is included in any associated total.
NA = No data reported.
Percent of Power Generated in Arizona from Solar and Wind Energy
Visualization Notes:
Just over one-hundredth of one percent (0.014%) of the total electricity produced in Arizona in 2010 came from solar power. However, solar capacity is growing and solar power should supply a greater percentage of Arizona's electricity in upcoming years. The state’s first wind farm near Holbrook began generating electricity in 2009 and although less than three one-hundredths of one percent (0.027%) of the total energy produced in the state was from wind power in 2009, this was double the percentage of energy produced from solar sources that year. The percentage produced by wind power grew by four and a half times in year two of production to 0.121% of the total energy produced in Arizona in 2010. This is still a miniscule amount of the total energy generated in the state, but it is a step in the right direction.
Data Source
Data were collected by Arizona State University's Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epa_sprdshts.html, 1990 - 2010 Net Generation by State by Type of Producer by Energy Source (EIA-906, EIA-920, and EIA-923).
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