Bans on subsidies (in some countries) and reduced costs have hit total investment in onshore wind. Meanwhile, market share continues to grow across the EU28. Wind energy now accounts for almost 20% of installed capacity for power generation which makes researcher Schalk Cloete'sĀ sobering analysis of risks for onshore wind well worth reading. Following up on hisĀ previous article, he examines current assumptions and argues that the discount rate … [Read more...]
How EASE is mapping out the path towards large-scale deployment of energy storage technologies in Europe
The Clean Energy for All Europeans Package marked a turning point for energy storage in Europe, says Marine Delhommeau, policy officer for the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE). Energy storage is now seen as one of the key flexibility instruments required in the future energy system. Despite this, the industry faces challenges in deploying at scale. A new roadmap aims to solve the problem. … [Read more...]
EU should target carbon dioxide removal as part of net zero emissions strategy
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies are still in their infancy. However, they are an essential part of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5-2Ā°C to meet the Paris Agreementās objectives. So what is the best way to ensure CDR is ramped up at the right speed to hit those targets, and avoid the āmoral hazardā of the promise of future CDR giving others an excuse to fail with their straightforward carbon reduction? Oliver Geden, Glen … [Read more...]
A Just Transition – or a transition, but only just?
At COP24 the Polish Presidency has issued a declaration for a "Just Transition". Jennifer Tollman of climate think-tank E3G says a Just Transition must make allies of those working in and dependent on the high-carbon economy by supporting them in the transition. They must not be left behind. But they warn that this support should not be an excuse for a āgo slowā on the transition, as missing our global climate targets is a clear disaster. … [Read more...]
Investment risk: nuclear high, new load-following fossil fuel plants low
In the currentĀ policy environment many energy technologies can appear attractive with the right set of assumptions: discounted clean energy technologies (wind, solar and nuclear) where the discount rate is heavily influenced by risk (see graph) and, perhaps surprisingly,Ā new load-following fossil fuel plants (especially natural gas) where continued wind/solar technology forcing actually provides substantial upside potential.Ā CCS researcher Schalk … [Read more...]
Can Teresa Ribera transform Spain into a green champion?
In a draft bill released on 13 November, the Spanish government is proposing to ban fossil fuel subsidies and fracking, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 (37% compared to current levels) and 90% by 2050, boost the share of renewables to 35% (70% of power generation) in 2030 and discourage diesel and petrol cars. Natalie Sauer of Climate Home News portrays the woman behind the plan, ecological transition minister Teresa Ribera, and … [Read more...]
The IEA comes up short on climate (again)
TheĀ releaseĀ of theĀ World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2018Ā marks another missed opportunity for the International Energy Agency (IEA) to provide a roadmap to Paris, writes Greg Muttitt of NGO Oil Change International. According to Muttitt, even the WEOās āsustainable development scenarioā falls well short of the Paris goals. Policymakers and investors cannot rely on the WEO to guide their decisions in energy. … [Read more...]
Study says no way to decarbonise the gas sector by 2050
Gas industry advocates argue that expansion of gas infrastructure is justified because it will be possible to switch to low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and biomethane in future. But research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) predicts that biomethane production will remain modest, even with massive subsidies. … [Read more...]
Energy efficiency is more than saving energy: āWe need to build a real marketplaceā
Energy efficiency experts have come to the conclusion that āselling the business case of energy efficiency on the basis of cost savings is not enough.ā If the potential of energy efficiency is to be realised, a real marketplace in projects needs to be built and the ānon-energy benefitsā of efficiency must be monetised writes Brussels-based journalist Clare Taylor. The European Commission has developed a number of instruments, including a unique … [Read more...]
Coal can’t compete – and its true costs are even higher than they appear
In Texas, income from electricity sales does not even cover the direct costs of coal power plants. But their hidden costs are much higher, explains Daniel Cohen of Rice University in Houston.Ā CourtesyĀ The Conversation. … [Read more...]
Taxing carbon may sound like a good idea but does it work?
Exxon Mobil is financing lobbying for a US plan to tax oil, gas and coal companies for the carbon they emit. But do carbon taxes work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? The evidence is underwhelming and support for the proposal is not down to altruism, says Paul Griffin of the University of California, Davis. In his view, what would impact climate change is for energy companies to disclose their carbon risks and footprints. … [Read more...]
Coalās cost increase leaves no cause for celebration
Coalās carbon impact is clear from the fact that it produces 20% of electricity and 65% of EU power sector emissions. But even with EU coal prices at a five-year high, we are unlikely to see short-term European coal emissions reductions. Emissions Trading System prices would have to double to push coal out of the EU electricity mix, says Paul Deane of University College Cork's Environmental Research Institute. … [Read more...]
The impact of electric vehicles on electricity demand
Many in the industry are relying on electric vehicles (EVs) to reverse the downward trend in global electricity consumption. But a new report from Redburn, a UK research and investment company, suggests the growing energy efficiency of EVs means that the industry and investors may have to look elsewhere for significant boosts in demand for electrical power, says energy expert Fereidoon Sioshansi ofĀ EEinformer. … [Read more...]
Aligning the IEA Sustainable Development Scenario to Paris goals
As part of its World Energy Outlook 2018 report, on 13 November the International Energy Agency will publish its latest Sustainable Development Scenario that it claims shows governments and companies how to reach Parisā climate change goals. To date, itās fallen short ā perhaps because it thinks the goals are too difficult to achieve, says Greg Muttitt of Oil Change International, which is calling on the agency to start showing how those goals … [Read more...]
US shale has a glaring problem
With oil prices high and production booming, 2018 was supposed to be a year of profits for US shale oil and gas companies. A report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and the Sightline Institute shows that hasnāt happened. As 3Q 2018 results start coming in, investors around the world should be considering if there is a fundamental problem with the fracking business model, says Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
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