On 28 May the European Commission published a new energy security strategy for the EU that sets out a long list of short-, medium- and long-term actions to reduce dependence on Russian gas. These range from regional âstress testsâ for supply disruptions to new priority gas infrastructure projects to serious examination of centralised gas purchases. For many however, it is energy efficiency that will make or break this strategy. Sonja van Renssen … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2014
Exxon, BP, Shell, Total see new opportunities in Russia
The world's major oil companies are making it very clear that they are eager to continue to do business with and in Russia, despite US and EU sanctions and criticisms. Indeed, they seem to regard the current tensions with Russia as an opportunity to expand their activities in the world's largest oil and gas territory, notes Nicolas Cunningham of Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
The case for allowing negative electricity prices
Negative electricity prices have become an increasingly frequent occurrence on the power exchanges that allow them. However, there are still many power exchanges, both within and outside of the EU, that do not allow negative prices. Simona Benedettini and Carlo Stagnaro of the Italian think tank Istituto Bruno Leoni argue that, with a booming renewable sector and a weak demand outlook, negative prices are an important tool for the market to … [Read more...]
Letâs glocalize! Global meets local in municipal green bonds
Local authorities are taking an increasingly active role in bringing about a clean energy future. Their biggest worry: how to finance their efforts. One way is outsourcing to energy service companies, another is crowdfunding. But perhaps the most effective method to raise substantial money is by giving out municipal bonds. Clare Taylor takes a look at the blossoming municipal bond market for sustainable energy projects in Europe and the US and … [Read more...]
How to design a successful auction for renewable energy projects
In its new State Aid guidelines, the European Commission presents auctioning as the standard procedure for allocating support for renewable energy. Member States may deviate from this rule, but only for very good reasons. Although auctioning can in theory be a useful instrument, experience all over the world shows mixed results. It is crucial that auctions are adapted to the specific market context. If not, they will deliver sub-optimal results … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Environment: All you need to know for May & June 2014
In this Brussels Briefing on Environment by viEUws.eu leading environment journalist Sonja van Renssen provides an overview of the latest developments in the field of European environment policy. Topics discussed include: - CO2 emissions from trucks: first-ever European Commission strategy - Circular economy & waste: Green Week (June 2-5) and upcoming policy package including on food - June Environment Council: air quality and 2030 … [Read more...]
The Birth of a Eurasian Century
The signing of the long-awaited $400 billion gas contract between Russia and China is a sign of changing times, writes Pepe Escobar. According to the Asia-based reporter, there are many developments going on, virtually unreported by the western media, that are chipping away at the dominance of the United States in the world. A Russian-Chinese alliance is forming, which will reach out into Europe through energy and trade relations â and  perhaps … [Read more...]
Policy failures have turned Belgium into high-price electricity island in Europe
Wholesale power prices in Belgium are now considerably higher than in its big neighbour Germany. In addition, Belgium is the only country in North West Europe to be faced with an electricity supply shortage. This situation is caused by a long series of policy failures on the part of the Belgian government, which has failed to create stable investment conditions, a competitive market and adequate interconnections, argues Benedict de Meulemeester, … [Read more...]
IEA review of Dutch energy policy: the real work still lies ahead
The Dutch energy sector is proud of the broad National Energy Agreement which was signed on to last year by representatives of the energy industry, consumer and trade associations and NGOâs, and which is now being implemented. But concluding an agreement is one thing, implementing it is another, notes the International Energy Agency (IEA) in an instructive review of Dutch energy policy. The Netherlands still relies heavily on fossil fuels and is … [Read more...]
The stolen fruit of the Energiewende: German suppliers are not passing on lower wholesale prices to consumers
Complaints about the high costs of the Energiewende are misguided. The primary reason German users pay high electricity prices is not the governmentâs support scheme for renewable energy. It is rather the fact that energy suppliers are not passing on to consumers the large drop in wholesale prices that results from the rapidly expanding wind and solar generation capacity. This is evident from an analysis of German prices. A similar situation … [Read more...]
After the goldrush: Japanâs second solar boom
A first gold rush driven by generous subsidies led to an uncontrolled boom in solar power projects in Japan, of which, however, only a very small percentage actually got built. Now, however, the government has taken charge and serious developers are entering the market. The liberalisation of the Japanese retail market in 2016 is expected to give another boost to solar power, as consumers will likely drive demand for renewable energy. The Japanese … [Read more...]
Biomass: the hidden face of the Energiewende
When people think about the âenergy transitionâ in Germany and elsewhere, they tend to think of the success of solar and wind power. However, of all forms of renewable energy it is biomass that has seen the largest absolute growth and supplies by far the most renewable energy, writes Robert Wilson. In Germany biomass has grown three times as much as wind and solar combined. 17% of the countryâs arable land (6% of total land) is now devoted to … [Read more...]
IEA: electricity will rival oil as dominant energy carrier
Electricity will increasingly power the world's economies in the 21st century, rivalling oil as the dominant energy carrier, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Actively managing this transformation is the only way to ensure we meet global energy security and climate goals economically, the report says. The report, Energy Technology Perspectives, offers a comprehensive, long-term analysis of trends in the energy … [Read more...]
East European countries place bombshell under EU climate policy
EU member states should be free to make their own decisions over whether to increase their greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments for 2020 â rather than letting the EU lead, according to a statement from seven Eastern European countries. With their declaration the group puts a bombshell under the EU's collective efforts at the international climate negotiations. … [Read more...]
What oil companies do is bad for the climate. But it may also be bad for investors
Climate campaigners have a new weapon in their arsenal: they say that if shareholders want value for money they had better start questioning the high-risk, high-cost projects oil companies are undertaking on a massive scale. And not just because of climate risks, but for purely economic reasons as well. The Carbon Tracker Initiative, which first put the idea of âstranded assetsâ on the map (i.e. the notion that a large part of the fossil fuel … [Read more...]