The EU is discussing how far and how fast it can take regional cooperation among Transmission System Operators (TSOs). The European Commission and Parliament want to give entities for regional cooperation more independence and power, while Member States and TSOs want ultimate power to remain at national level. An upcoming conference on 16 October led by ENTSO-E (representing European TSOs) and Coreso (a regional entity) – and supported by Energy … [Read more...]
What is the future of coal?
It fired up the industrial age but is now condemned as a toxic pollutant. Most countries are cutting back on coal usage, but not all. Donald Trump wants to buck the trend and create jobs for miners, and Asia’s appetite for the black stuff continues to grow. Siân Bradley, from the independent policy institute Chatham House, asks if there is a future for old King Coal. … [Read more...]
Demystifying radiation – the nemesis of nuclear energy?
Recent reports from the United Nations that challenge commonly held views on ionising radiation may prove crucial for a nuclear renaissance, Abel González – a senior adviser with the Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority – told delegates at the World Nuclear Association Symposium held in London last month. “Shouldn’t the nuclear industry being doing all it can to debunk the myths about radiation?” he asks. … [Read more...]
8 things you need to know about the IPCC 1.5ËšC report
In its landmark report released today on global warming, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to stop global temperatures from rising by over 1.5ËšC – but it is possible. The report makes it clear to governments and businesses that limiting warming to 1.5ËšC is imperative, says Kelly Levin of World Resources Institute: “Now it’s time for them to step up to the challenge.” … [Read more...]
Methane is a potent pollutant – let’s keep it out of the atmosphere
The US’s intended relaxation of rules for the oil and gas industry on methane emissions could to lead to more being released. Since the country’s fracking boom began, evidence of a significant increase of methane in the atmosphere has already been seen as far away as Switzerland. As well as impacting climate change, this policy change may increase pollution, and damage the health of both humans and crops, say Alastair Lewis and Lucy Carpenter. … [Read more...]
Electricity’s future: mostly behind the meter
The electricity sector has traditionally taken good care of getting energy from power plants to customer premises. But with the arrival of distributed generation and storage, there is a universe of possibilities on the other side of the meter, writes independent energy expert Fereidoon Sioshansi. “While the industry counts the billions it has invested in assets upstream of the meter, there is probably as much if not more on the customer side.” … [Read more...]
Tesla big battery defies sceptics, sends industry bananas over performance
It’s less than a year since the Tesla big battery was installed at Hornsdale in Australia and the world’s largest lithium-ion battery has exceeded all expectations, says Giles Parkinson of Reneweconomy.com. Quicker, cheaper and with greater reliability, versatility, accuracy and efficiency than predicted, the storage system also looks set to provide a fast return on investment – results that have led to a rash of new battery projects in the … [Read more...]
China’s Belt and Road as a conduit for clean power projects
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is arguably the biggest regional connectivity and cooperation programme in operation today. But with China being a major polluter, there are also concerns the Initiative could just be adding to global environmental stress. Not so, argue John A Mathews and Carol X Huang of Macquarie University, Sydney: it’s actually a magnet for renewable energy investments. Courtesy of The Asia-Pacific Journal. … [Read more...]
3 ways in which gas is thinking of the future
While natural gas’s role in tomorrow’s electricity systems is being debated in Europe, the gas industry is busy dealing with growth in emerging energy markets. That doesn’t mean it’s all business as usual, though. Gas sector infrastructure providers such as the Spanish firm Sener are gearing up for fuel that is more liquid, mobile and, perhaps one day, renewable. … [Read more...]
Post-Brexit carbon tax would set Scotland against UK
The UK is weighing up future carbon pricing options in a post-EU world, but Scotland will not abide a London plan for a national tax because that would impinge on devolved powers. Resolving the issue will not be easy, particularly in the event of a no-deal Brexit, writes Sara Stefanini, Climate Home News. Courtesy of Climate Home News. … [Read more...]
$100 oil is a distinct possibility
It wasn't long ago that blistering U.S. shale growth was thought to have given rise to lower oil prices for the foreseeable future. But there are signs this could soon change, Nick Cunningham writes. Various factors are set to result in the potential disappearance of 2 million barrels of oil a day in the fourth quarter of this year, driving prices up into the three-figure range. Courtesy of Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
Solar panels replaced tarmac on a road. Here are the results
Using roads for solar energy generation is one of those ideas that makes engineers frown but seems to capture the public imagination, with an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for the concept pulling in almost $2.3m in 2014. But now the idea is being put into practice it appears the engineers may have been right all along, according to Dylan Ryan of Edinburgh Napier University. Courtesy of The Conversation. … [Read more...]
How do ambitious climate pledges impact economic growth?
At the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, delegates from all over the world made ambitious commitments to tackle climate change. But how will their actions impact economic growth? Chris Busch of think-tank Energy Innovation compares manufacturing and employment data from climate leader California to laggard Texas and the US as a whole. His findings suggest that climate actions are affordable and even provide a boost to economies. … [Read more...]
Why decarbonising gas might be harder than you think
Decarbonising the European energy system by 2050 will require a fundamental shift for the way the gas industry operates, away from business-as-usual in network planning and market design. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, leaves no room for fossil gas consumption where CO2 is not captured and stored. But turning the gas industry into a zero-carbon industry is no simple task. … [Read more...]
Flexible printed solar cells – a new manufacturing frontier?
The University of Newcastle in Australia has unveiled a 200m2 rooftop solar array made from innovative flexible and printed solar cells that could further revolutionise the global use and manufacturing industry of renewables. According to Professor John Mathews of Macquarie University in Australia, this could be a giant step forward for solar cells. Courtesy Global Green Shift blog … [Read more...]
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