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Energy Post

The best thinkers on energy

Winter gas supply crunch in Europe unlikely, experts say

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Major investment in European gas storage, transmission and emergency planning make a repeat of the 2009 gas shock unlikely this winter, market observers say, even if Russia trims exports to retaliate against western sanctions. That should be comforting news to EU Energy Commissioner GĂĽnther Oettinger, who is meeting with energy ministers from Ukraine and Russia (Yuriy Prodan and Alexander Novak) on Friday in Berlin. But analysts do caution that … [Read more...]

In defence of TTIP: Good for the economy – and for the climate

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The Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) currently being negotiated between the European Union and the United States may deliver significant benefits not just in terms of greater economic competitiveness, but also as regards energy security and even environmental sustainability, writes Carlo Stagnaro, senior fellow at the Italian think tank Istituto Bruno Leoni and advisor to Italy’s Minister for Economic Development. According … [Read more...]

King Coal dethroned: future looks black

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New research by the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI), the London-based NGO that invented the concept of “stranded assets” (aka the “carbon bubble”), claims that “the tide is turning against coal exporters”. After taking on the oil and gas industry, CTI has for the first time calculated the risks faced by the coal sector from slowing demand in combination with climate change policies. It concludes that most new coal mines will not be economic. … [Read more...]

The new face of nuclear energy

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The United Arab Emirates will be the first of the Gulf Co-operation Council nations to develop nuclear power – and only the second in the Middle East after Iran. In this exclusive interview, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Mohamed Al Hammadi, explains why the UAE has chosen to develop nuclear energy, why he is confident the new reactors will come on stream on time and within budget, and why the nation sees itself as a … [Read more...]

A modest proposal on South Stream – for the EU’s new VP Energy Union

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Ambassador Peter Poptchev offers an ingenious compromise on the stalled South Stream project: let Russia build half of it, to be filled with only new gas. The European Commission's new Vice-President for Energy Union could make this work - if she has a convincing strategy for South East Europe. (Plus: an overview of all stakeholder positions on South Stream.) … [Read more...]

Finns want Russian-built nuclear plant 60% Finnish owned, reject fourth Olkiluoto reactor

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Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori said today he supports the construction of the new Fennovoima nuclear power plant by Russian Rosatom, provided at least 60% will be Finnish owned. At the same time, the Minister does not support a new deadline for a 4th nuclear reactor at Olkiluoto. The 3rd reactor, now being built by French Areva, has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. … [Read more...]

Zero energy at zero cost: industrialising the building sector

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The Netherlands has found a way to refurbish existing buildings to net zero energy, within a week, with a 30-year builders’ guarantee and no subsidies. With new kitchen and bathroom! Now revolutionary renovation programme Energiesprong (literally: Energy Jump) is looking to take its learnings to France and the UK. … [Read more...]

Team Juncker: EU unveils new Energy Commissioner(s)

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Slovenia’s ex-Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek and Spanish ex-minister Miguel Arias Cañete have been nominated to lead EU energy policy in a new European Commission due to take office on 1 November. Incoming Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced Bratušek as Vice President for Energy Union and Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy – yes the two portfolios are being merged – on 10 September in Brussels. Cañete is expected … [Read more...]

China changes course: wind surges, coal stalls

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The Chinese wind energy sector is growing at tremendously. China is expected to exceed its 2015 target of 100GW wind capacity by 30%, reports Tim Buckley, Director Energy Finance Studies Australasia at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) for Reneweconomy. At the same time, China is rapidly diversifying away from coal, towards more nuclear, renewables and hydropower. The implications for global energy markets are … [Read more...]

Oil is back – how Obama went from climate president to drill-baby-drill commander

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Just a few years ago, president Obama promised he would reduce America’s dependence on oil. Now, energy expert Michael Klare points out, his administration is doing everything possible to boost oil production: opening up the waters off the Eastern seaboard to exploration, ramping up sales of leases for oil and gas drilling, expanding drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, even speeding up the processing of drilling permits. The results are visible: … [Read more...]

UK capacity market “will boost baseload not balancing power”

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The upcoming UK capacity market is supposed to support the integration of renewables into the grid. But will it do that or will it primarily serve to bring new baseload capacity online? UK Power Reserve, an independent developer and operator of small, flexible generators, wonders whether the UK’s plans will squeeze existing providers of flexible capacity or stimulate investment. CEO Tim Emrich tells Energy Post how he has been making money by … [Read more...]

The future of energy storage in Europe

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With the increase of variable renewables on the grid, the need for electricity storage will only grow. But what kind of storage? According to Philip Hiersemenzel of German battery manufacturer Younicos, business opportunties will for now lie in short duration services. Based on his company’s modelling, he says large-scale grid storage does not make sense – yet. Without storage, 40% renewables is max. Mike Stone of Energy Storage Report … [Read more...]

The EU’s drive for free energy trade in the TTIP endangers action on climate change

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With the EU seeking to  diversify its energy sources and US companies eager to export their "unconventional” oil and gas riches, energy has become a major focus of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), about which the two blocs are negotiating. The EU is eager for the US to remove any barriers to the export of its natural gas and crude oil, as is clear from a leaked EU proposal. However, this drive for unrestrained fossil … [Read more...]

Poles want to be energy independent – with nuclear (and renewables)

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Two-thirds of Polish people support the plans to construct a new nuclear power plant in Poland, above all because this would increase Polish energy independence. The Polish public wants their country to be less reliant on Russia and other suppliers and believes renewable energy and nuclear energy are the best options for this. They appear to have less enthusiasm for shale gas and coal. These results appear from a poll conducted by PISM, the … [Read more...]