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Energy Post

The best thinkers on energy

Too “low-hanging fruit” is not sweet enough (and eventually neither clean nor cheap)!

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At a lunch debate organised by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) on “The costs of a low level of ambition in greening the heating and cooling sector” and hosted by EUFORES President MEP Jeppe Kofod on 30 January, representatives from industry, civil society, the European Commission (EC) and MEPs from several countries and political groups (Jeppe Kofod, Bendt Bendtsen, Theresa Griffin, Jo Leinen, Gesine Meissner and Paul Rübig) … [Read more...]

Making deep decarbonisation a reality

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While the final agreement of the Clean Energy Package represents a critical step forward for the energy industry, I have some bad news. There is still a lot more work to do. Whilst it might be tempting to think of the design of energy regulations and markets as a path from ‘bad’ to ‘good’, this is not the case. It is a never-ending journey driven by changes in context, people and technology. Ten years ago, I helped produce the landmark … [Read more...]

EU electricity supply from RES off course for 2030 – so is it more nuclear or gas?

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Last year’s strong reported performances for the share of clean energy in the UK and German energy mixes paint a rosy picture. It is the result of billions in investment and strong signals from Brussels and the COP series. Looking more broadly across the EU though, the share actually decreased by 17% from 2016 to 2017. Furthermore, due to lack of investment stretching back as far as 2011, the rate of growth has dropped significantly putting RES … [Read more...]

Billions in private investment waiting for clearer action and guarantees from governments on pathway to 2050

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Last month we reported how weak commitments by some EU states were putting a successful transition at risk. Marcela Scarpellini of right. based on science focuses on how this confusion impacts the funding of the transition, and the essential role of private investment. $16.5 trillion needs to be put into energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies by 2030 to hold the temperature increase below 2°C by 2050, says the IEA. Governments alone cannot … [Read more...]

Opposition to Nord Stream 2 ignores market fundamentals [Energy Post Weekly]

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Criticism of the Nord Stream 2 project routinely misses the bigger picture of EU’s lower carbon targets, Groningen’s impending switch-off and Russia’s own dependence on natural gas exports to Europe. … [Read more...]

How EASE is mapping out the path towards large-scale deployment of energy storage technologies in Europe

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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

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Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies are still in their infancy. However, they are an essential part of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5-2°C to meet the Paris Agreement’s objectives. So what is the best way to ensure CDR is ramped up at the right speed to hit those targets, and avoid the “moral hazard” of the promise of future CDR giving others an excuse to fail with their straightforward carbon reduction? Oliver Geden, Glen … [Read more...]

Investment risk: nuclear high, new load-following fossil fuel plants low

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In the current 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, new load-following fossil fuel plants (especially natural gas) where continued wind/solar technology forcing actually provides substantial upside potential. CCS researcher Schalk … [Read more...]

Can Teresa Ribera transform Spain into a green champion?

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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...]

Study says no way to decarbonise the gas sector by 2050

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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...]

Coal’s cost increase leaves no cause for celebration

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Coal’s 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...]

Europe prepares a net zero emissions plan for 2050: use the EUenergy App to understand it

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The European Commission is drafting a new 2050 climate and energy strategy that will set out a vision for net-zero emissions in Europe by 2050, to be unveiled before the next round of UN climate talks, in Katowice, Poland this December. Energy Post reports on the latest internal reflections on the new strategy, using the EUenergy App, jointly developed by Energy Post and Shell, to put the ideas in context. … [Read more...]

How can gas contribute to the achievement of EU climate targets

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What role is there for gas in the European energy system over the next decades? Some believe the EU must give priority to coal-to-gas switching. Others see no role for natural gas at all in the long run and argue that EU policy must promote only “renewable” gas. An Energy Post panel debate in Brussels, sponsored by Nord Stream 2, saw conflicting views sound off against each other. Meanwhile, a new “Gas for Climate” initiative proposes a 10% … [Read more...]

Brexit: What it means for UK-EU energy trade

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The UK says it wants to keep or even expand its close ties with the European Union energy market after Brexit, but it might not get what it wants if the country leaves the EU with no deal in 2019. Gas and electricity will continue to be traded between the two, but the risks of shortages and higher costs for the UK and Ireland will grow and increase over time, explains Sara Stefanini of Climate Home News. … [Read more...]

Khashoggi and Skripal: wake-up calls for European energy policy

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The apparent brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey by the Saudi Arabian regime and the equally brazen attempted murder of Sergei Skripal in England should serve as wake-up calls for European energy policymakers, writes Karel Beckman, editor-in-chief of Energy Post. These misdeeds demonstrate the aggressive nature of the Saudi and Russia regimes and underline the necessity for Europe to reduce its reliance on oil and gas much more rapidly … [Read more...]