Renewable_energy_commercialization

context: Public policy and political leadership helps to "level the playing field" and drive the wider acceptance of renewable energy technologies. Countries such as Germany, Denmark, and Spain have led the way in implementing innovative policies which has driven most of the growth over the past decade. As of 2014, Germany has a commitment to the "Energiewende" transition to a sustainable energy economy, and Denmark has a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050. There are now 144 countries with renewable energy policy targets.
qas: answers: text: Public policy and political leadership
question: What drives the wider acceptance of renewable energy technologies?

answers: text: 2050
question: Denmark has a committment to 100 percent renewable energy by what year?

answers: text: 144
question: How many countries now have renewable energy policies?

context: Total investment in renewable energy (including small hydro-electric projects) was $244 billion in 2012, down 12% from 2011 mainly due to dramatically lower solar prices and weakened US and EU markets. As a share of total investment in power plants, wind and solar PV grew from 14% in 2000 to over 60% in 2012. The top countries for investment in recent years were China, Germany, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Brazil. Renewable energy companies include BrightSource Energy, First Solar, Gamesa, GE Energy, Goldwind, Sinovel, Trina Solar, Vestas and Yingli.
qas: answers: text: $244 billion
question: How much was the total investment in renewable energy in 2012?

answers: text: dramatically lower solar prices
question: Why did the total investment in renewable energy go down in 2012?

answers: text: China, Germany, Spain, the United States, Italy, and Brazil
question: What  six were the top countries for investment in recent years?

context: EU member countries have shown support for ambitious renewable energy goals. In 2010, Eurobarometer polled the twenty-seven EU member states about the target "to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU by 20 percent by 2020". Most people in all twenty-seven countries either approved of the target or called for it to go further. Across the EU, 57 percent thought the proposed goal was "about right" and 16 percent thought it was "too modest." In comparison, 19 percent said it was "too ambitious".
qas: answers: text: EU member countries
question: Who has shown support for ambitious renewable energy goals?

answers: text: Eurobarometer
question: What group polled the 27 EU member states in 2010?

answers: text: 2020
question: The goal was to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU by 20 percent in what year?

context: By the end of 2011, total renewable power capacity worldwide exceeded 1,360 GW, up 8%. Renewables producing electricity accounted for almost half of the 208 GW of capacity added globally during 2011. Wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) accounted for almost 40% and 30% . Based on REN21's 2014 report, renewables contributed 19 percent to our energy consumption and 22 percent to our electricity generation in 2012 and 2013, respectively. This energy consumption is divided as 9% coming from traditional biomass, 4.2% as heat energy (non-biomass), 3.8% hydro electricity and 2% electricity from wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass.
qas: answers: text: 1,360 GW
question: By the end of 2011, total renewable power capacity worldwide exceeded what number?

answers: text: 19 percent
question: Renewables contributed what percentage to our energy consumption?

answers: text: 22 percent
question: Renewables contributed what percentage to our electricity generation?

context: During the five-years from the end of 2004 through 2009, worldwide renewable energy capacity grew at rates of 10–60 percent annually for many technologies. In 2011, UN under-secretary general Achim Steiner said: "The continuing growth in this core segment of the green economy is not happening by chance. The combination of government target-setting, policy support and stimulus funds is underpinning the renewable industry's rise and bringing the much needed transformation of our global energy system within reach." He added: "Renewable energies are expanding both in terms of investment, projects and geographical spread. In doing so, they are making an increasing contribution to combating climate change, countering energy poverty and energy insecurity".
qas: answers: text: Achim Steiner
question: Who was the UN under-secretary in 2011?

answers: text: 2004 through 2009
question: Between what years did worldwide renewable energy capacity grow at rates of 10 to 60 percent annually?

answers: text: UN under-secretary general
question: Who is Achim Steiner?

context: According to a 2011 projection by the International Energy Agency, solar power plants may produce most of the world's electricity within 50 years, significantly reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that harm the environment. The IEA has said: "Photovoltaic and solar-thermal plants may meet most of the world's demand for electricity by 2060 – and half of all energy needs – with wind, hydropower and biomass plants supplying much of the remaining generation". "Photovoltaic and concentrated solar power together can become the major source of electricity".
qas: answers: text: International Energy Agency
question: Which group projected that solar plant may produce most of the world's electricity within 50 years?

answers: text: 2060
question: Photovoltaic and solar-thermal plants may meet most of the world's demand for electricity by what year?

answers: text: half
question: Photovoltaic and solar-thermal plants may meet how much of the world's energy needs by 2060?

context: In 2013, China led the world in renewable energy production, with a total capacity of 378 GW, mainly from hydroelectric and wind power. As of 2014, China leads the world in the production and use of wind power, solar photovoltaic power and smart grid technologies, generating almost as much water, wind and solar energy as all of France and Germany's power plants combined. China's renewable energy sector is growing faster than its fossil fuels and nuclear power capacity. Since 2005, production of solar cells in China has expanded 100-fold. As Chinese renewable manufacturing has grown, the costs of renewable energy technologies have dropped. Innovation has helped, but the main driver of reduced costs has been market expansion.
qas: answers: text: China
question: Who led the world in renewable energy production in 2013?

answers: text: 2005
question: Since what year has production of solar cells in China expanded 100-fold?

answers: text: market expansion
question: What is the main driver of reduced costs?

context: Renewable energy technologies are getting cheaper, through technological change and through the benefits of mass production and market competition. A 2011 IEA report said: "A portfolio of renewable energy technologies is becoming cost-competitive in an increasingly broad range of circumstances, in some cases providing investment opportunities without the need for specific economic support," and added that "cost reductions in critical technologies, such as wind and solar, are set to continue." As of 2011[update], there have been substantial reductions in the cost of solar and wind technologies:
qas: answers: text: Renewable energy technologies
question: What is getting cheaper as a result of technilogical change?

answers: text: 2011
question: As of what year have there been substantial reductions in the cost of solar and wind technologies?

answers: text: IEA
question: What group stated that "cost reductions in critical technologies, such as wind and solar, are set to continue?"

context: Renewable energy is also the most economic solution for new grid-connected capacity in areas with good resources. As the cost of renewable power falls, the scope of economically viable applications increases. Renewable technologies are now often the most economic solution for new generating capacity. Where "oil-fired generation is the predominant power generation source (e.g. on islands, off-grid and in some countries) a lower-cost renewable solution almost always exists today". As of 2012, renewable power generation technologies accounted for around half of all new power generation capacity additions globally. In 2011, additions included 41 gigawatt (GW) of new wind power capacity, 30 GW of PV, 25 GW of hydro-electricity, 6 GW of biomass, 0.5 GW of CSP, and 0.1 GW of geothermal power.
qas: answers: text: Renewable energy
question: What is the most economic solution for new grid-connected capacity in areas with good resources?

answers: text: the cost of renewable power falls
question: What happens as the scope of economically viable applications increases?

answers: text: Renewable technologies
question: What are now often the most economic solution for new generating capacity?

context: Biomass for heat and power is a fully mature technology which offers a ready disposal mechanism for municipal, agricultural, and industrial organic wastes. However, the industry has remained relatively stagnant over the decade to 2007, even though demand for biomass (mostly wood) continues to grow in many developing countries. One of the problems of biomass is that material directly combusted in cook stoves produces pollutants, leading to severe health and environmental consequences, although improved cook stove programmes are alleviating some of these effects. First-generation biomass technologies can be economically competitive, but may still require deployment support to overcome public acceptance and small-scale issues.
qas: answers: text: material directly combusted in cook stoves produces pollutants
question: What is one problem with biomass?

answers: text: First-generation biomass technologies
question: What can be economically competetive but may still require deployment support?

answers: text: Biomass for heat and power
question: What is a fully maturing technology which offer a ready disposal mechanismm?

context: Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy, accounting for 16 percent of global electricity generation – 3,427 terawatt-hours of electricity production in 2010, and is expected to increase about 3.1% each year for the next 25 years. Hydroelectric plants have the advantage of being long-lived and many existing plants have operated for more than 100 years.
qas: answers: text: Hydroelectricity
question: What is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower?

answers: text: Hydroelectricity
question: What is the most widely used form of renewable energy?

answers: text: Hydroelectricity
question: Hydroelectricity accounts for what percentage of global electricity generation?

answers: text: 3.1%
question: Electricity production is expected to increase by what percentage each year for the next 25 years?

context: Hydropower is produced in 150 countries, with the Asia-Pacific region generating 32 percent of global hydropower in 2010. China is the largest hydroelectricity producer, with 721 terawatt-hours of production in 2010, representing around 17 percent of domestic electricity use. There are now three hydroelectricity plants larger than 10 GW: the Three Gorges Dam in China, Itaipu Dam across the Brazil/Paraguay border, and Guri Dam in Venezuela. The cost of hydroelectricity is low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. The average cost of electricity from a hydro plant larger than 10 megawatts is 3 to 5 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.
qas: answers: text: 150
question: Hydropower is produced in how many countries?

answers: text: China
question: Which country is the largest hydroelectricity producer?

answers: text: 3 to 5 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour
question: What is the average cost of electricity from a hydro plant larger than 10 megawatts?

answers: text: three
question: How many hydroelectricity plants are larger than 10 GW?

context: Geothermal power capacity grew from around 1 GW in 1975 to almost 10 GW in 2008. The United States is the world leader in terms of installed capacity, representing 3.1 GW. Other countries with significant installed capacity include the Philippines (1.9 GW), Indonesia (1.2 GW), Mexico (1.0 GW), Italy (0.8 GW), Iceland (0.6 GW), Japan (0.5 GW), and New Zealand (0.5 GW). In some countries, geothermal power accounts for a significant share of the total electricity supply, such as in the Philippines, where geothermal represented 17 percent of the total power mix at the end of 2008.
qas: answers: text: 1 GW
question: What was the geothermal capacity in 1975?

answers: text: 10 GW
question: What was the geothermal capacity in 2008?

answers: text: 17 percent
question: In the Phillipines, geothermal represented what percentage of the total power mix at the end of 2008?

context: Many solar photovoltaic power stations have been built, mainly in Europe. As of July 2012, the largest photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the world are the Agua Caliente Solar Project (USA, 247 MW), Charanka Solar Park (India, 214 MW), Golmud Solar Park (China, 200 MW), Perovo Solar Park (Russia 100 MW), Sarnia Photovoltaic Power Plant (Canada, 97 MW), Brandenburg-Briest Solarpark (Germany 91 MW), Solarpark Finow Tower (Germany 84.7 MW), Montalto di Castro Photovoltaic Power Station (Italy, 84.2 MW), Eggebek Solar Park (Germany 83.6 MW), Senftenberg Solarpark (Germany 82 MW), Finsterwalde Solar Park (Germany, 80.7 MW), Okhotnykovo Solar Park (Russia, 80 MW), Lopburi Solar Farm (Thailand 73.16 MW), Rovigo Photovoltaic Power Plant (Italy, 72 MW), and the Lieberose Photovoltaic Park (Germany, 71.8 MW).
qas: answers: text: Europe
question: Where have the majority of photovoltaic power stations been built?

answers: text: India
question: Where is Charanka Solar Park?

answers: text: USA
question: Where is the Agua Caliente Solar Project located?

context: There are also many large plants under construction. The Desert Sunlight Solar Farm under construction in Riverside County, California and Topaz Solar Farm being built in San Luis Obispo County, California are both 550 MW solar parks that will use thin-film solar photovoltaic modules made by First Solar. The Blythe Solar Power Project is a 500 MW photovoltaic station under construction in Riverside County, California. The California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) is a 250 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant, which is being built by SunPower in the Carrizo Plain, northeast of California Valley. The 230 MW Antelope Valley Solar Ranch is a First Solar photovoltaic project which is under construction in the Antelope Valley area of the Western Mojave Desert, and due to be completed in 2013. The Mesquite Solar project is a photovoltaic solar power plant being built in Arlington, Maricopa County, Arizona, owned by Sempra Generation. Phase 1 will have a nameplate capacity of 150 megawatts.
qas: answers: text: Riverside County, California
question: Where is Desert Sunlight Solar Farm currently under construction?

answers: text: San Luis Obispo County, California
question: Where is Desert Sunlight Solar Farm?

answers: text: SunPower
question: Who is building The Califoria Valley Solar Ranch?

context: Some of the second-generation renewables, such as wind power, have high potential and have already realised relatively low production costs. Global wind power installations increased by 35,800 MW in 2010, bringing total installed capacity up to 194,400 MW, a 22.5% increase on the 158,700 MW installed at the end of 2009. The increase for 2010 represents investments totalling €47.3 billion (US$65 billion) and for the first time more than half of all new wind power was added outside of the traditional markets of Europe and North America, mainly driven, by the continuing boom in China which accounted for nearly half of all of the installations at 16,500 MW. China now has 42,300 MW of wind power installed. Wind power accounts for approximately 19% of electricity generated in Denmark, 9% in Spain and Portugal, and 6% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland. In Australian state of South Australia wind power, championed by Premier Mike Rann (2002–2011), now comprises 26% of the state's electricity generation, edging out coal fired power. At the end of 2011 South Australia, with 7.2% of Australia's population, had 54%of the nation's installed wind power capacity. Wind power's share of worldwide electricity usage at the end of 2014 was 3.1%. These are some of the largest wind farms in the world:
qas: answers: text: 35,800 MW
question: Global wind power installations increased by how much in 2010?

answers: text: 42,300 MW
question: China has how much wind power installed?

answers: text: 19%
question: In Denmark, wind power accounts for what percentage of electricity generated?

answers: text: 9%
question: In Spain, wind power accounts for what percentage of electricity generated?

answers: text: 6%
question: In Germany, wind power accounts for what percentage of electricity generated?

context: As of 2014, the wind industry in the USA is able to produce more power at lower cost by using taller wind turbines with longer blades, capturing the faster winds at higher elevations. This has opened up new opportunities and in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, the price of power from wind turbines built 300 feet to 400 feet above the ground can now compete with conventional fossil fuels like coal. Prices have fallen to about 4 cents per kilowatt-hour in some cases and utilities have been increasing the amount of wind energy in their portfolio, saying it is their cheapest option.
qas: answers: text: by using taller wind turbines with longer blades
question: How is the wind industry in the USA able to produce more power at lower cost?

answers: text: 300 feet to 400 feet above the ground
question: How tall are new wind turbines that are being built in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio?

answers: text: conventional fossil fuels like coal
question: Wind turbines in the USA can now compete with what type of fuel?

answers: text: 4 cents per kilowatt-hour
question: Prices have fallen as low as what price?

context: Solar thermal power stations include the 354 megawatt (MW) Solar Energy Generating Systems power plant in the USA, Solnova Solar Power Station (Spain, 150 MW), Andasol solar power station (Spain, 100 MW), Nevada Solar One (USA, 64 MW), PS20 solar power tower (Spain, 20 MW), and the PS10 solar power tower (Spain, 11 MW). The 370 MW Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, located in California's Mojave Desert, is the world's largest solar-thermal power plant project currently under construction. Many other plants are under construction or planned, mainly in Spain and the USA. In developing countries, three World Bank projects for integrated solar thermal/combined-cycle gas-turbine power plants in Egypt, Mexico, and Morocco have been approved.
qas: answers: text: California's Mojave Desert
question: Where is the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility located?

answers: text: Ivanpah Solar Power Facility
question: What is the world's largest solar-thermal power plant project currently under construction?

answers: text: Spain
question: Where is the PS20 solar power tower located?

context: Nearly all the gasoline sold in the United States today is mixed with 10 percent ethanol, a mix known as E10, and motor vehicle manufacturers already produce vehicles designed to run on much higher ethanol blends. Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and GM are among the automobile companies that sell flexible-fuel cars, trucks, and minivans that can use gasoline and ethanol blends ranging from pure gasoline up to 85% ethanol (E85). The challenge is to expand the market for biofuels beyond the farm states where they have been most popular to date. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which calls for 7.5 billion US gallons (28,000,000 m3) of biofuels to be used annually by 2012, will also help to expand the market.
qas: answers: text: 10 percent
question: Nearly all gasoline sold in the U.S. is mixed with what percentage of ethanol?

answers: text: The Energy Policy Act of 2005
question: What act calls for 7.5 billion US gallons of biofuels to be used annually by 2012?

answers: text: GM
question: Name one company that sells flexible-fuel cars?

context: According to the International Energy Agency, cellulosic ethanol biorefineries could allow biofuels to play a much bigger role in the future than organizations such as the IEA previously thought. Cellulosic ethanol can be made from plant matter composed primarily of inedible cellulose fibers that form the stems and branches of most plants. Crop residues (such as corn stalks, wheat straw and rice straw), wood waste, and municipal solid waste are potential sources of cellulosic biomass. Dedicated energy crops, such as switchgrass, are also promising cellulose sources that can be sustainably produced in many regions.
qas: answers: text: Cellulosic ethanol
question: What can be made from plant matter composed primarily of inedible celllose fibers thta form the stems and branches of most plants?

answers: text: Crop residues
question: What are potential sources of cellulosic biomass?

answers: text: Dedicated energy crops
question: What is a promising cellulose source that can be sustainably produced in many regions?

context: As of 2008[update], geothermal power development was under way in more than 40 countries, partially attributable to the development of new technologies, such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems. The development of binary cycle power plants and improvements in drilling and extraction technology may enable enhanced geothermal systems over a much greater geographical range than "traditional" Geothermal systems. Demonstration EGS projects are operational in the USA, Australia, Germany, France, and The United Kingdom.
qas: answers: text: 40
question: As of 2008, geothermal power development was underway in more than how many countries?

answers: text: Enhanced Geothermal Systems
question: What is one new technology attributed to the growth of geothermal power?

answers: text: Demonstration EGS projects
question: What is operational in the USA, Australia, Germany, France and The United Kingdom?

context: The PV industry has seen drops in module prices since 2008. In late 2011, factory-gate prices for crystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules dropped below the $1.00/W mark. The $1.00/W installed cost, is often regarded in the PV industry as marking the achievement of grid parity for PV. These reductions have taken many stakeholders, including industry analysts, by surprise, and perceptions of current solar power economics often lags behind reality. Some stakeholders still have the perspective that solar PV remains too costly on an unsubsidized basis to compete with conventional generation options. Yet technological advancements, manufacturing process improvements, and industry re-structuring, mean that further price reductions are likely in coming years.
qas: answers: text: 2008
question: The PV industry has seen drops in module prices since what year?

answers: text: technological advancements
question: What is a sign that further price reductions are likely in coming years?

answers: text: $1.00/W installed cost
question: What cost is often regarded as marking the achievment of grid parity for PV?

context: Many energy markets, institutions, and policies have been developed to support the production and use of fossil fuels. Newer and cleaner technologies may offer social and environmental benefits, but utility operators often reject renewable resources because they are trained to think only in terms of big, conventional power plants. Consumers often ignore renewable power systems because they are not given accurate price signals about electricity consumption. Intentional market distortions (such as subsidies), and unintentional market distortions (such as split incentives) may work against renewables. Benjamin K. Sovacool has argued that "some of the most surreptitious, yet powerful, impediments facing renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States are more about culture and institutions than engineering and science".
qas: answers: text: because they are trained to think only in terms of big, conventional power plants
question: Why do utility operators often reject renewable resources?

answers: text: because they are not given accurate price signals about electricity consumption
question: Why do consumers often ignore renewable power systems?

answers: text: Benjamin K. Sovacool
question: Who argued that some of the problems facing renewable energy are more about culture and institutions than engineering and science?

context: Lester Brown states that the market "does not incorporate the indirect costs of providing goods or services into prices, it does not value nature's services adequately, and it does not respect the sustainable-yield thresholds of natural systems". It also favors the near term over the long term, thereby showing limited concern for future generations. Tax and subsidy shifting can help overcome these problems, though is also problematic to combine different international normative regimes regulating this issue.
qas: answers: text: the indirect costs of providing goods or services into prices
question: Lester Brown states that the market does not incorporate what?

answers: text: Lester Brown
question: Who believes that the market does not value nature's service adequately?

answers: text: Tax and subsidy shifting
question: What can help over come the problems with the market?

context: Tax shifting has been widely discussed and endorsed by economists. It involves lowering income taxes while raising levies on environmentally destructive activities, in order to create a more responsive market. For example, a tax on coal that included the increased health care costs associated with breathing polluted air, the costs of acid rain damage, and the costs of climate disruption would encourage investment in renewable technologies. Several Western European countries are already shifting taxes in a process known there as environmental tax reform.
qas: answers: text: Tax shifting
question: What involves lowering income taxes while raising levies?

answers: text: environmental tax reform
question: Several Western European companies are shifting taxes in a process known as what?

answers: text: to create a more responsive market
question: What is the purpose of tax shifting?

context: Just as there is a need for tax shifting, there is also a need for subsidy shifting. Subsidies are not an inherently bad thing as many technologies and industries emerged through government subsidy schemes. The Stern Review explains that of 20 key innovations from the past 30 years, only one of the 14 was funded entirely by the private sector and nine were totally publicly funded. In terms of specific examples, the Internet was the result of publicly funded links among computers in government laboratories and research institutes. And the combination of the federal tax deduction and a robust state tax deduction in California helped to create the modern wind power industry.
qas: answers: text: subsidy shifting
question: Besides tax shifting, what is another need?

answers: text: the Internet
question: What was the result of publicly funded links among computers in government labs and reserach institutes?

answers: text: federal tax deduction and a robust state tax deduction in California
question: What helped create the modern wind power industry?

context: Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat. Second-generation technologies are market-ready and are being deployed at the present time; they include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations, and modern forms of bioenergy. Third-generation technologies require continued R&D efforts in order to make large contributions on a global scale and include advanced biomass gasification, hot-dry-rock geothermal power, and ocean energy. As of 2012, renewable energy accounts for about half of new nameplate electrical capacity installed and costs are continuing to fall.
qas: answers: text: renewable energy
question: As of 2012, what accounts for about half of new nameplate electrical capacity?

answers: text: Renewable energy commercialization
question: What involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years?

answers: text: wind power
question: Name one second-generation technology that is market ready.

context: Lester Brown has argued that "a world facing the prospect of economically disruptive climate change can no longer justify subsidies to expand the burning of coal and oil. Shifting these subsidies to the development of climate-benign energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal power is the key to stabilizing the earth's climate." The International Solar Energy Society advocates "leveling the playing field" by redressing the continuing inequities in public subsidies of energy technologies and R&D, in which the fossil fuel and nuclear power receive the largest share of financial support.
qas: answers: text: International Solar Energy Society
question: What group advocates leveling the playing field?

answers: text: by redressing the continuing inequities in public subsidies of energy technologies and R&D
question: How does the International Solar Energy Society propse to level the playing field?

answers: text: development of climate-benign energy sources
question: What is the key to stabilizing the earth's climate?

context: Some countries are eliminating or reducing climate disrupting subsidies and Belgium, France, and Japan have phased out all subsidies for coal. Germany is reducing its coal subsidy. The subsidy dropped from $5.4 billion in 1989 to $2.8 billion in 2002, and in the process Germany lowered its coal use by 46 percent. China cut its coal subsidy from $750 million in 1993 to $240 million in 1995 and more recently has imposed a high-sulfur coal tax. However, the United States has been increasing its support for the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.
qas: answers: text: Germany
question: What country is reducing its coal subsidy?

answers: text: United States
question: What country has been increasing its support for the fossil fuel and nuclear industries?

answers: text: coal
question: Some countries have phased out all subsidies for what substance?

context: Setting national renewable energy targets can be an important part of a renewable energy policy and these targets are usually defined as a percentage of the primary energy and/or electricity generation mix. For example, the European Union has prescribed an indicative renewable energy target of 12 per cent of the total EU energy mix and 22 per cent of electricity consumption by 2010. National targets for individual EU Member States have also been set to meet the overall target. Other developed countries with defined national or regional targets include Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, and some US States.
qas: answers: text: renewable energy policy
question: Setting national renewable energy targets can be an important part of what?

answers: text: 12 per cent of the total EU energy mix
question: The European Union has prescribed an indicative renewable energy target of what percent?

answers: text: Australia
question: Name one outher country with defined national or regional target?

context: Public policy determines the extent to which renewable energy (RE) is to be incorporated into a developed or developing country's generation mix. Energy sector regulators implement that policy—thus affecting the pace and pattern of RE investments and connections to the grid. Energy regulators often have authority to carry out a number of functions that have implications for the financial feasibility of renewable energy projects. Such functions include issuing licenses, setting performance standards, monitoring the performance of regulated firms, determining the price level and structure of tariffs, establishing uniform systems of accounts, arbitrating stakeholder disputes (like interconnection cost allocations), performing management audits, developing agency human resources (expertise), reporting sector and commission activities to government authorities, and coordinating decisions with other government agencies. Thus, regulators make a wide range of decisions that affect the financial outcomes associated with RE investments. In addition, the sector regulator is in a position to give advice to the government regarding the full implications of focusing on climate change or energy security. The energy sector regulator is the natural advocate for efficiency and cost-containment throughout the process of designing and implementing RE policies. Since policies are not self-implementing, energy sector regulators become a key facilitator (or blocker) of renewable energy investments.
qas: answers: text: Public policy
question: What determines the extent to which renewable energy is to be incorporated into a country's generation mix?

answers: text: Energy regulators
question: Who has the authority to carry out a number of functions that havae implications for the feasiblity of renewable energy projects?

answers: text: Since policies are not self-implementing
question: Why have energy sector regulators become a key facilitator of renewable energy investments?

context: The driving force behind voluntary green electricity within the EU are the liberalized electricity markets and the RES Directive. According to the directive the EU Member States must ensure that the origin of electricity produced from renewables can be guaranteed and therefore a "guarantee of origin" must be issued (article 15). Environmental organisations are using the voluntary market to create new renewables and improving sustainability of the existing power production. In the US the main tool to track and stimulate voluntary actions is Green-e program managed by Center for Resource Solutions. In Europe the main voluntary tool used by the NGOs to promote sustainable electricity production is EKOenergy label.
qas: answers: text: liberalized electricity markets
question: What is the driving force behind voluntary green electricity within the EU?

answers: text: RES Directive
question: What states that EU Member States must ensure that the origin of electricity produced from renewables can be guaranteed?

answers: text: Green-e program
question: In the US, what is the main tool to track and stimulate voluntary actions?

context: A number of events in 2006 pushed renewable energy up the political agenda, including the US mid-term elections in November, which confirmed clean energy as a mainstream issue. Also in 2006, the Stern Review made a strong economic case for investing in low carbon technologies now, and argued that economic growth need not be incompatible with cutting energy consumption. According to a trend analysis from the United Nations Environment Programme, climate change concerns coupled with recent high oil prices and increasing government support are driving increasing rates of investment in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
qas: answers: text: Stern Review
question: What made a strong economic case for investing in low carbon technologies?

answers: text: 2006
question: In what year did a number of events push renewable energy up the political agenda?

answers: text: climate change concerns coupled with recent high oil prices
question: What is driving increasing rates of investment in the renewable energy industry?

context: New government spending, regulation, and policies helped the industry weather the 2009 economic crisis better than many other sectors. Most notably, U.S. President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included more than $70 billion in direct spending and tax credits for clean energy and associated transportation programs. This policy-stimulus combination represents the largest federal commitment in U.S. history for renewables, advanced transportation, and energy conservation initiatives. Based on these new rules, many more utilities strengthened their clean-energy programs. Clean Edge suggests that the commercialization of clean energy will help countries around the world deal with the current economic malaise. Once-promising solar energy company, Solyndra, became involved in a political controversy involving U.S. President Barack Obama's administration's authorization of a $535 million loan guarantee to the Corporation in 2009 as part of a program to promote alternative energy growth. The company ceased all business activity, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and laid-off nearly all of its employees in early September 2011.
qas: answers: text: New government spending, regulation, and policies
question: What helped the industry weather the 2009 economic crisis better than other sectors?

answers: text: commercialization of clean energy
question: What suggests that the commercialization of clean energy will hellp countries deal with economic malaise?

answers: text: Solyndra
question: Which company became invovled in a political controversy?

answers: text: Solyndra
question: What company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy?

context: As of 2012, renewable energy plays a major role in the energy mix of many countries globally. Renewables are becoming increasingly economic in both developing and developed countries. Prices for renewable energy technologies, primarily wind power and solar power, continued to drop, making renewables competitive with conventional energy sources. Without a level playing field, however, high market penetration of renewables is still dependent on a robust promotional policies. Fossil fuel subsidies, which are far higher than those for renewable energy, remain in place and quickly need to be phased out.
qas: answers: text: renewable energy
question: What plays a major role in the energy mix of many countries?

answers: text: Renewables
question: What is becoming increasingly economic in both developing and devloped countries?

answers: text: renewable energy technologies
question: As of 2012, prices for what commodity continued to drop?

context: United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that "renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity". In October 2011, he "announced the creation of a high-level group to drum up support for energy access, energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy. The group is to be co-chaired by Kandeh Yumkella, the chair of UN Energy and director general of the UN Industrial Development Organisation, and Charles Holliday, chairman of Bank of America".
qas: answers: text: Ban Ki-moon
question: Who is United Nations' Secretary-General?

answers: text: renewable energy
question: Ban Ki-moon states that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity?

answers: text: Kandeh Yumkella
question: Who is chair of UN Energy?

answers: text: Charles Holliday
question: Who is chairman of Bank of America?

context: Worldwide use of solar power and wind power continued to grow significantly in 2012. Solar electricity consumption increased by 58 percent, to 93 terawatt-hours (TWh). Use of wind power in 2012 increased by 18.1 percent, to 521.3 TWh. Global solar and wind energy installed capacities continued to expand even though new investments in these technologies declined during 2012. Worldwide investment in solar power in 2012 was $140.4 billion, an 11 percent decline from 2011, and wind power investment was down 10.1 percent, to $80.3 billion. But due to lower production costs for both technologies, total installed capacities grew sharply. This investment decline, but growth in installed capacity, may again occur in 2013. Analysts expect the market to triple by 2030. In 2015, investment in renewables exceeded fossils.
qas: answers: text: 58 percent
question: In 2012, solar electricity consumption increased by what percentage?

answers: text: 18.1 percent
question: Use of wind power in 2012 increased by what percentage?

answers: text: $140.4 billion
question: How much was the worldwide investment in solar power in 2012?

answers: text: 2030
question: Analysts expect the market to triple by what year?

answers: text: 2015
question: In what year did investment in renewables exceed fossils?

context: The incentive to use 100% renewable energy, for electricity, transport, or even total primary energy supply globally, has been motivated by global warming and other ecological as well as economic concerns. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that there are few fundamental technological limits to integrating a portfolio of renewable energy technologies to meet most of total global energy demand. In reviewing 164 recent scenarios of future renewable energy growth, the report noted that the majority expected renewable sources to supply more than 17% of total energy by 2030, and 27% by 2050; the highest forecast projected 43% supplied by renewables by 2030 and 77% by 2050. Renewable energy use has grown much faster than even advocates anticipated. At the national level, at least 30 nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20% of energy supply. Also, Professors S. Pacala and Robert H. Socolow have developed a series of "stabilization wedges" that can allow us to maintain our quality of life while avoiding catastrophic climate change, and "renewable energy sources," in aggregate, constitute the largest number of their "wedges."
qas: answers: text: global warming
question: What motivated the incentive to use 100 percent renewable energy?

answers: text: at least 30 nations
question: How many nations already have renewable energy contributing to more than 20 percent of energy supply?

answers: text: Professors S. Pacala and Robert H. Socolow
question: Who developed a series of stabilization wedges?

context: Mark Z. Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University and director of its Atmosphere and Energy Program says producing all new energy with wind power, solar power, and hydropower by 2030 is feasible and existing energy supply arrangements could be replaced by 2050. Barriers to implementing the renewable energy plan are seen to be "primarily social and political, not technological or economic". Jacobson says that energy costs with a wind, solar, water system should be similar to today's energy costs.
qas: answers: text: Mark Z. Jacobson
question: Who is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University?

answers: text: social and political
question: What is a barrier to implementing the renewable energy plan?

answers: text: Mark Z. Jacobson
question: Who stated that energy costs with a wind, solar, water system should be similar to today's energy costs?

answers: text: 2030
question: Jacobson says producing all new energy with wind power, solar power and hydropower is feasible by what year?

context: Similarly, in the United States, the independent National Research Council has noted that "sufficient domestic renewable resources exist to allow renewable electricity to play a significant role in future electricity generation and thus help confront issues related to climate change, energy security, and the escalation of energy costs … Renewable energy is an attractive option because renewable resources available in the United States, taken collectively, can supply significantly greater amounts of electricity than the total current or projected domestic demand." .
qas: answers: text: can supply significantly greater amounts of electricity than the total current or projected domestic demand
question: Why is renewable energy an attractive option?

answers: text: United States
question: In what country is the National Research Council located?

answers: text: to allow renewable electricity to play a significant role in future electricity generation
question: Sufficient domestic reneewable resources exist for what reason?