Wind outpaces natural gas in new electric power generating capacity in 2019
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Wind, natural gas and solar added a combined 22.7 GW of new electric power generating capacity in 2019, with wind power leading the way in new additions with 9,100 MW, according to a new report by the federal Energy Information Administration.
Following wind, natural gas was second with 8,300 MW of newly installed capacity and solar photovoltaic was third with 5,300 MW in new installations during 2019.
Simultaneously, nearly 14,000 MW of coal-fired capacity was retired last year. The Midwest was the only region where coal was the most used electricity resource in 2019.
Learn more: Power Engineering > EIA: Wind, gas and solar combined 22.7 GW of new capacity in 2019
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.