With his Clean Power Proposal, President Obama has entered on a drive to put a ceiling on carbon emissions in the US – for the first time. The question  is now whether China will follow this example. Nicholas Cunningham of Oilprice.com believes China may be about to turn a corner – with huge consequences for global energy markets. … [Read more...]
Perspectives on Obama’s 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 – the NGO that originated the concept of “stranded assets”and “the carbon bubble” – 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 EU’s 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. America’s 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: “Gradual change will not save us”
The latest major report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Technology Perspectives 2014, states that “radical action is needed to actively transform energy supply and end use”. In an interview with Energy Post, the IEA’s renowned Chief Economist Fatih Birol notes that governments in particular have to take action. “You 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 “stress tests” 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. 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...]
Let’s 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...]
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 – and  perhaps … [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 NGO’s, 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 government’s 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: Japan’s 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...]
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 – 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...]
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