This article shows an example of problems faced by a country that is willing to make the big switch to renewable energy. In Germany's case, in a bold move to completely shut down their nuclear power plants, it tries to replace them with renewable sources, like wind. However, due to poor support from the investors, the project is moving slowly. The article also highlights the cons of wind power; that wind is too unstable, and the wind farms are too space consuming and dangerous to birds. More importantly, the power generated is a lot less than expected, because of wind fluctuations. Ironically, the situation forces Germany to turn into coal, which produces a high level of carbon dioxide.
The article certainly discourages the use of clean energies, calling them unreliable, a burden in taxpayers' money, and inefficient. However, I find that it overgeneralize the types of clean energies out there. It makes it sound like switching to clean energy is a bad idea, and Germany's case is a warning to other countries in case they are planning to follow suit.
I wish that it talks about the possibilities of storing the energy of abundantly available renewable sources, like solar and wind. Then, it can store the excess energy generated during very windy seasons, and save it for less windy days. In addition, if improvements can be done to those existing wind farms, they can be better utilized (though currently, I am not sure how). As many cons as the wind energy poses in Germany, I still believe that shifting to clean, renewable energy is the right direction. It is better to try and fail, than to not even try at all, knowing that the old method is sure to cause more harm in the future.
Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/08/13/german-green-energy-bluster-running-out-of-wind/
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