Denmark Provides an Energy Model for the United States

Power HungryChapter 10

Statements in Question

• Denmark is a role model for all countries in need of renewable energy

• Denmark no longer has to import oil

• Denmark has very little coal imports

• 1/5th of Denmark is wind powered

Reality

• The Danes now have some of the world’s most expensive electricity, residential costs: $0.35 kilowatt-hour, U.S is $0.10 kilowatt-hour1

• The Danes import not some, but ALL of their coal

• 13% of total energy is wind energy, needs back-up source1

• Coal consumption has increased and shows no sign of going down, oil is no longer imported, it’s exported

Kilo

watt

-Hou

r

Source: Energy Information Administration, “Denmark Energy Data”, Energy Statistics, 2007

Wind Power vs. Hydrocarbons, Denmark’s Consumption in 2007

Review

• Wind power needs a back-up power source such as oil or coal

• No oil is imported due to large amounts of offshore drilling, maybe U.S. should take note

• Denmark has some of the world’s most expensive electricity

• No overall benefit in wind power, no decrease in use of hydrocarbons, only benefits are to those of the wind turbine owners and land owners

Sources

1. Bryce, Robert. "Chapter 10." Power Hungry: The Myths of "green" Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future. New York, NY: PublicAffairs, 2010. 103-16.

2. Energy Information Administration, “Denmark Energy Data”, Energy Statistics, 2007

Questions?

Questions Over Chapter1. 25% of Denmark’s energy comes from wind power.

True or False

2. Wind energy doesn’t need a back-up source. True or False

3. Denmark does not import any oil. True or False