There’s a tendency to believe that the effects of climate change will be felt more or less democratically around the globe. In reality, writes energy and foreign policy specialist Michael Klare, the harshest effects will fall on the poorest and most marginalized people. They will suffer mass annihilation – unless we take action. Courtesy of Tomdispatch. … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2017
Nuclear energy does not cost the earth
Those who claim nuclear is dead, at least for Europe, because of its high costs and lack of public support are wrong, writes Tim Yeo, Chairman of the pro-nuclear group New Nuclear Watch Europe (NNWE). Despite recent financial troubles besetting certain parties in the nuclear sector, there are competitive vendors and competitive projects out there. Key for European countries considering building new nuclear plants is to choose the right … [Read more...]
Large-scale fracking comes to the Arctic in a new Alaska oil boom
Largely unnoticed, international oil companies have been making discoveries of very large oil reserves in the Arctic region over the past year, writes author and lecturer Scott L. Montgomery.  According to Montgomery, the Trump Administration is likely to give permission to drill these new wells, a number of which will be fracked. He believes “the discoveries will write a new chapter in the U.S. oil industry’s dramatic ascent.” Courtesy The … [Read more...]
Five myths about dismantling North Sea oil rigs
Dismantling oil rigs in the North Sea is a waste of money and has no environmental benefits, writes Tom Baxter of the University of Aberdeen. According to Baxter, it makes more sense to leave the infrastructure in place and use the savings to fund green energy projects. Courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
For Eurelectric, it’s incumbents first, competitive markets second
Eurelectric, the association defending the interests of the European electricity industry, presents itself as a defender of the European consumer and the internal energy market. And yet many of its recommendations serve neither, argues Manon Dufour, head of the Brussels office of independent organisation E3G. … [Read more...]
China’s new Silk Road: is it black or green?
The expansive internationalization of China’s energy role has led many to believe that while China is "greening" its own economy, it is at the same time exporting it's fossil-fuel-based energy system abroad. John Mathews, Professor of Management at Macquarie University, Australia and Hao Tan, Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Australia, provide a detailed assessment of China's energy exports and come to a largely different … [Read more...]
The lowdown on hydrogen – part 2: production
Electrolysis, powered by renewables, is often seen as the ideal way to produce hydrogen. But electrolysis is expensive and not always efficient, writes Roger Arnold. There are other ways that are more efficient and also climate friendly. This is part 2 of a two-part series on hydrogen written by independent energy expert Roger Arnold. Part 1 deals with the uses of hydrogen in transport. … [Read more...]
Cleantech startups: can German utilities bridge the Valley of Death?
Investment in cleantech startups has so far yielded disappointing results, writes Marius Buchmann, Post-Doc at Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. According to Buchmann, one important reason is that incumbent energy companies have not been willing to invest in and acquire startups. But this is now changing, especially in Germany, partly as a result of the new business model adopted by Eon and RWE. Article courtesy of Buchmann’s blog Enerquire. … [Read more...]
Oil market (II): Is another bust looming over the oil industry?
Royal Dutch Shell broke ranks from other industry players last fall when its chief executive officer opined that global demand could reach a maximum in the next five to fifteen years. Given the nature of the demand plateau and the historical failure of authorities to predict its advent, it is time for the oil industry to begin planning and watching for the turn, writes Dwayne Purvis for Oilprice.com. Courtesy Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
Oil market (I): Supply crunch or oil glut – investment banks can’t agree
Most analysts see a “supply gap” looming in the global oil market. But not all, writes Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com. Courtesy Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
The battle for the future of nuclear energy
Nuclear is facing a desperate situation: the world could lose up to two times more nuclear than it gains by 2030, writes Michael Shellenberger, founder and president of the pro-nuclear citizens movement Environmental Progress (EP). According to Shellenberger, the nuclear crisis is caused purely by cultural, ideological and political factors. There are no technological and economic barriers to expanding nuclear power: existing designs are safe and … [Read more...]
The coal-free 2°C scenario: within reach and cheaper than told by IEA
Scrapping of planned coal power and accelerated investment in wind and solar are essential if we are to reach the Paris climate goals. The good news: It can be done significantly cheaper than the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, writes Terje Osmundsen, Senior Vice President of the Norwegian-based international solar power company Scatec Solar. Courtesy of EnergiogKlima. … [Read more...]
It is time to tax carbon
Low-carbon technologies will transform the energy system, but not fast enough to limit global warming, writes Gerard Reid, founding partner of Alexa Capital, financial analyst and co-founder of the Energy and Carbon blog. According to Reid, what is needed is to shift the still massive investment in oil and gas onto alternative energy sources. That can only be done through a carbon tax. … [Read more...]
The lowdown on hydrogen — part 1: transportation
The hydrogen economy had been written off as a failure by most industry watchers, writes independent energy expert and former software engineer Roger Arnold. Lately, however, hydrogen seems to be making a comeback. Not because of any special technology breakthroughs but because persistence and general advances have begun to pay off. … [Read more...]
Market design of 1980s not fit for today’s markets
The renewable flood is creating havoc in wholesale electricity markets. And this will only get worse, as storage and zero net energy buildings expand, writes Fereidoon Sioshansi, editor of the newsletter EEnergy Informer. According to Sioshansi, the solutions applied today to keep the lights on do not address the fundamental flaws in market design. New solutions are needed. Courtesy EEnergy Informer. … [Read more...]