The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has released a report that indicates renewable energy could contribute 10 % of U.S. electricity by 2020. Electricity from Renewables: Status, Prospects, and Impediments also indicates that taking full advantage of renewable energy will require “enhanced technologies, increased deployment, financial investments, and implementation of policies”. Necessary improvements include the development of intelligent, two-way electric grids; large-scale and distributed electricity storage; and significantly enhanced, yet cost-effective, long-distance electricity transmission. In the near term, polic y incentives, such as the renewable production tax credits, continued research and development into renewable electricity generation would be required. The report also states “overall, technological developments and consistent policy will need to be coordinated with manufacturing capacity and access to capital in order to accelerate deployment of renewable electricity.” (Source: National Academy, June 15, 2009)
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