What does Eon’s change in corporate strategy and Gazprom’s decision not to build South Stream have in common? Quite a lot. Both decisions are responses to the increasing speed in which Europe is moving towards a low-carbon society. Both are also bold and risky decisions for the two companies involved. The rest of us probably need not be (too) concerned, writes Energy Post editor Karel Beckman. … [Read more...]
US national interest requires clean energy, not fossil fuels
Many vested interests with short-term perspectives are fighting to maintain US dependence on fossil fuels. The long-term national interest, however, requires that the US makes a speedy transition to a clean energy society, writes energy expert Allan Hoffman. According to Hoffman, the shale revolution is only a temporary phenomenon. A continued reliance on oil and gas will imperil the nation’s future. … [Read more...]
Can we use gas as a ‘bridging fuel’ to a low carbon world?
Gas can be a bridge fuel, displacing coal and reducing carbon emissions, concludes a new report from the UK Energy Research Centre. But only for the next twenty years, and only if the world sorts out carbon capture and storage (CCS) and sees a dramatic cut in coal use. Christian Hunt of the Carbon Brief has the story. … [Read more...]
Juncker’s €300bn investment gamble – and what it might mean for energy
The EU and European Investment Bank (EIB) have teamed up to launch a new investment programme for Europe – with energy, as well as transport, research, innovation and education, its key objects. A modest €21bn in public money is set to be multiplied up to a whopping €315bn in total investments over the next three years, pushing Europe toward that long-hoped for economic recovery. There is no dedicated share of the money for individual sectors or … [Read more...]
Fossil-fueled Republicanism: what to expect from the new US Congress
While more and more people around the world are coming to recognize the need for restraints on fossil fuel consumption, the new Republican-dominated Congress will lead the United States in the opposite direction, writes Michael Klare, author of many books and articles on energy policy. Klare outlines the energy policies the Republicans in Congress are likely to pursue and explains what is behind their fervent commitment to oil and gas. In an … [Read more...]
The Five Energy Labours of Juncker
The new team heading the European Commission in Brussels is lucky. Its predecessors closed two sensitive deals before the reshuffle: a European energy and climate strategy for 2030 and a gas winter package between Ukraine and Russia. On top of that, outgoing Energy Commissioner GĂĽnther Oettinger finished off a thick report on the way forward for a European energy market. The new Commission will follow up on these three dossiers, plus two more … [Read more...]
Let’s not forget those fossil fuel subsidies
The IEA’s World Energy Outlook (WEO), published on 12 November, has – not for the first time – put the spotlight on the huge subsidies given worldwide for the use and production of fossil fuels. And these do not include other costs (e.g. the hundreds of billions in US military spending to garrison the Middle East) and externalities caused by our oil, gas and coal use. Sophie Vorrath of RenewEconomy presents the main figures from the WEO. … [Read more...]
World’s first power-to-liquids production plant opened in Dresden
A Power-to-Liquids (PtL) demonstration rig which is the first of its kind in the world was officially inaugurated on 14 November by Dresden-based sunfire GmbH. The ceremony was attended by German Federal Minister of Education and Research Johanna Wanka, Board Member Pieter Koolen of venture capitalist Bilfinger, Â as well as a number of other high-ranking representatives from the worlds of politics, industry and research. French energy companies … [Read more...]
Wishing away lignite – EU climate policy ignores elephant in the room
While mining and combustion of lignite impose high burdens on the environment, Europe’s least expensive fuel remains impervious to climate policies or market trends. Poland remains committed to lignite power generation. In Germany, the world’s largest lignite industry provides backup electricity for nuclear phase-out and renewable power intermittency. Mediterranean sunshine has not kept Greece and Turkey from relying on lignite rather than … [Read more...]
viEUws VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy – All you need to know for November 2014
In this latest Brussels Briefing on Energy viEUws.eu, leading energy journalist Hughes Belin provides anoverview of the latest EU energy policy developments: … [Read more...]
Outcome of nuclear talks could make Iran an Energy Superpower – even in renewable energy
An international settlement by November 24 could put Iran on a path to becoming an energy superpower, says Friedbert PflĂĽger, Director European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College. And not just in fossil fuels – but even in renewable energy, which Iran now supports with feed-in tariffs and currency guarantees for foreign investors. US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with his counterpart this weekend. … [Read more...]
viEUws VIDEO: MEPs say yes to ETS reform but dissent on timing
In an exclusive interview with viEUws.eu, Giovanni La Via - Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) - speaks with correspondent Sonja van Renssen about the environment priorities for the new parliamentary term. … [Read more...]
Everything you always wanted to know about Russian gas supplies to Europe
There are various ways for Europe to reduce its “dependence” on Russian gas, but they all have their drawbacks, concludes a new report from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES). The report makes it clear that the Russian-EU gas relationship has many intricacies that policymakers should be aware of when they develop new gas policies. … [Read more...]
The end of an era: is the US petrodollar under threat?
Western sanctions imposed on Russia are driving Moscow further into the arms of Beijing, writes Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com. This may have the unintended consequence of ushering in the demise of the “petrodollar” – with profound consequences for global energy markets. … [Read more...]
Cheaper and environmentally-safe: the future of Polish shale?
The Polish shale gas sector has met with serious setbacks in recent years, both as a result of disappointing drilling results and disappointing legislation. However, the Polish government will introduce a new hydrocarbon bill that should make drilling more attractive. What is more, a Polish research consortium has developed a new, much cheaper and much more environmentally friendly method of extraction. … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- …
- 53
- Next Page »