A European building retrofit programme could reduce Russian gas imports by 80%. A 40% energy saving target could Ā remove the need for Russian gas altogether. Yet the EU currently seems unwilling to impose the measures necessary to step up energy saving. As a result, European industry is rapidly losing its international lead in efficiency, which is crucial to its international competitiveness. What is more, European companies active in energy … [Read more...]
Capacity payments: expensive solution for a non-existing problem
As of 2015, the UK will be the first European country to launch a capacity mechanism that aims at rewarding power plants for the MWās theyĀ canĀ produce rather than the MWās they actually generate. Similar plans are being Ā prepared in other countries, including Belgium, France and Germany. According to Benedict de Meulemeester, CEO of international energy procurement consultancy E&C, it is understandable that energy companies lobby for capacity … [Read more...]
The days of solar power may be closer than you think
Many people are unaware quite how close we are to reaching a critical milestone in the industry. Within a fairly short space of time, solar generated electricity will be fully cost competitive with coal-powered electricity -- at least if the governments of the world's two largest energy consuming nations have their way. … [Read more...]
Obamaās Clean Power Plan: why itās smarter than you think (and beats EU policy)
The Clean Power Plan recently announced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been hailed for its good intentions, but also widely criticized for its āmodestā ambitions. What most commentators have failed to note, however, is that, compared to EU climate policies, Obamaās plan is really a smart piece of legislation. It avoids the policy failures made by Brussels and lays a solid foundation for a successful low-carbon strategy. … [Read more...]
How the EU should deal with the Ukraine gas crisis
The Russian decision, on 16 June, to halt gas supplies to Ukraine spells trouble for the coming winter. Even if the current crisis is resolved, uncertainties over Ukraine will remain. Therefore, the EU needs to prepare for another gas crisis, both in the short term, by establishing crisis mechanisms, and in the medium term, to prevent future crises. Agata Åoskot-Strachota of the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Poland sets out the urgent steps … [Read more...]
Shale gas: what it could really mean for Europe
The Ukrainian crisis has revitalized discussions in Europe about the roleĀ shale gas could play in the European energy mix and to enhance security of supply. Opinions Ā on this are very polarized. Whereas optimists declare that Europe could start commercial production in 2020, the pessimists insist that shale gas will never be profitable in Europe. According to Alexander Gusev, the real picture is not black-and-white. Cutting through the confusion … [Read more...]
Interview Shell strategist Jeremy Bentham: āFuture organisations will have to cross boundariesā
What will Shellās role be in an increasingly carbon-constrained, and increasingly electrified world? Clearly the company sees its natural gas business as becoming central to its operations, gradually overtaking its oil business. But beyond that, the future is uncertain. Jeremy Bentham, Vice-President of Global Business Environment and head of the Shell Scenarios team, sees Shell evolving into a company that provides flexibility and resilience and … [Read more...]
Will China follow the US example and cap carbon emissions?
With his Clean Power Proposal, President Obama has entered on a drive to put a ceiling on carbon emissions in the US ā for the first time. The question Ā is now whether China will follow this example. Nicholas Cunningham of Oilprice.com believes China may be about to turn a corner ā with huge consequences for global energy markets.Ā … [Read more...]
Perspectives on Obamaās clean power plan: small step for US, big step for mankind?
The proposal made by the US Environmental Protection Agency to reduce CO2 emissions from power stations in the US by 30% has been hailed by many as a historic breakthrough in US climate policy. Others, however, argue that the proposal is quite moderate. Some even say the plan will do nothing for the climate at all. Supporters say the main benefits of the plan is the precedent it sets and the message it sends. Energy Post editor Karel Beckman … [Read more...]
The Trillion-Dollar Question: Is Big Oil over-investing in high-cost projects?
Mark Fulton and Reid Capalino of the Carbon Tracker Initiative ā the NGO that originated the concept of āstranded assetsāand āthe carbon bubbleā ā explain the risks oil companies are taking by investing in oil and gas projects in an increasingly carbon-constrained world. … [Read more...]
Heat pumps: waiting for the final push
As gas faces a reputational challenge from Ukraine, electric heat pumps are emerging as a promising alternative source of heating. Heat pumps can also make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Oddly enough, although heating and cooling accounts for 45% of the EUās final energy consumption there is no EU-wide heating and cooling strategy. Some countries such as UK and Italy are introducing support for individual … [Read more...]
What a difference a decade makes: an updated reality check on the global energy system
Robert Wilson takes a very hard-headed look at the state of the global energy system, in particular at the US and China. He comes up with some stunning conclusions. Americaās per-capita energy consumption, he argues, is excessive and could easily be halved without any negative impact on the standard of living. But no matter what the US does, China is already by far the largest energy consumer in the world. And unfortunately, despite taking some … [Read more...]
Interview Fatih Birol, IEA: āGradual change will not save usā
The latest major report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Technology Perspectives 2014, states that āradical action is needed to actively transform energy supply and end useā. In an interview with Energy Post, the IEAās renowned Chief Economist Fatih Birol notes that governments in particular have to take action. āYou cannot change trends by giving some lectures or speeches. Policymakers should put in place real economic … [Read more...]
Ten take-home messages from the new European Energy Security Strategy
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 āstress testsā 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...]
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.Ā 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...]
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