Inventor Suneel N Parekh is an energy pioneer. What keeps him going is a mixture of conviction and optimism. But even he knows he won’t get his project over the line without help. After decades he is finally bringing the proof of his methods to the attention of investors who can make or break his life’s work. Pioneers need backers. Just as The Beatles needed a deal before we could enjoy Sgt. Peppers, our energy pioneers need their break too - the … [Read more...]
articles, events and other posts from the Energy Post community
EU gas market: what China’s tariffs on US LNG could mean for Europe
Natural gas provides for around 25% of all energy consumed in the EU and is an established, if controversial, feature of the EU’s Roadmap to 2050. Furthermore, the majority of EU gas is imported and increasingly so. Combining those two factors, price and security of supply are the main issues for EU member states. So the rise of the LNG market, diversifying supply and introducing competition, alongside traditional, piped gas should be a welcome … [Read more...]
PRESS RELEASE: Jose Luis Martinez Dalmau is elected as new President of ESTELA.
Mr. Jose Luis Martinez Dalmau was appointed unanimously as President by the ESTELA General Assembly for a 2-year term – 2019-2021 right after the announcement by Dr Crespo to retire. The newly mandated Executive Committee (ExCom) of ESTELA is composed of three Vice-Presidents – J. A. Nebrera (ACS Cobra), J. Sandhu (ENGIE), C. Prieto (Abengoa), and six Members – E. Absil (CMI Solar), R. García (Protermosolar, the Spanish STE association), R. … [Read more...]
PPA 2.0: future-proofing corporate energy funding
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) are a significant tool for funding the energy transition. Research by DNV GL suggests that, as renewable energy becomes more widespread, its price dynamics becomes more complex, and that matters to PPAs. Some governments are looking to phase out subsidies and feed-in tariffs, effectively softening their price guarantees. Also, as renewables generation grows, market prices can fall. Martijn Duvoort, Director Energy … [Read more...]
What’s next for the geopolitics of energy transformation?
January’s IRENA report “A New World” has kick-started the debate on how the accelerating deployment of renewables will affect and alter the global distribution of political and economic power. Jan Frederik Braun and Daniel Scholten review its findings and build on the list of issues that must be faced. For example, although the IRENA report focuses on electrification the authors say power-to-gas is likely to play a major role, and we must face up … [Read more...]
Onsite solar and storage powers off-grid telecom towers
There are more than 3m telecom towers globally, and powering them is a $100bn market. It's a particularly important growth sector in developing countries. They are already using mobiles to leapfrog the laying of costly landlines, but because they lack grids that stretch to remote communities they need to power towers that are off the grid. Dr Thomas Hillig says as solar and storage costs continue to drop they are replacing diesel gensets as the … [Read more...]
European Commission’s decision to approve Poland’s capacity mechanism challenged
Electricity generators can pitch for awards from governments operating capacity markets. Capacity markets establish a price (at auctions) for back-up power which may, or may not, be needed. Either way, the operator of the power plant gets paid for guaranteeing security of supply to the grid. Last year, the European Commission approved the Polish capacity market and, according to CAN Europe, in its first auction the Polish government awarded 22,4 … [Read more...]
Flexible renewable power: Spain to triple solar thermal capacity by 2030
Sunny Southern Europe will become increasingly connected to its Central and Northern European neighbours with the ongoing development of cross border interconnectors. This is one of the crucial factors behind Spain’s decision to include an additional 5 GW capacity from STE/CSP plants in its Integrated National Energy and Climate plan (NECP). Complete with inherent storage capabilities, STE can provide flexible, dispatchable power supply at … [Read more...]
Decarbonisation of Transport: Options and Challenges – free Brussels debate and report launch
Decarbonisation of transport remains one of the most challenging aspects of the transition to a sustainable energy system. Focussing on road transport, the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC)'s upcoming report contains detailed recommendations for actions on the part of all major stakeholders. The report will be officially launched at what promises to be a fascinating event featuring a high-level panel discussion with speakers … [Read more...]
Transforming Heating and Cooling creates jobs, new businesses
The UK has had great success in reducing emissions: down 43% overall since 1990. But, like most places, Heating and Cooling is struggling. Mark Woodward, of The Smart City Alliance and Nordic Heat, sets out a plan for progress, and includes lessons from Europe. The focus is on four core energy efficiency activities: reduce, recover, store and distribute. He explains how this also opens up new business models: in one town in Sweden chemicals firm … [Read more...]
Cyberattacks: the military considers micro grids as the answer
European power grids have long been considered as potential targets for major cyberattacks given the enormous damage they could inflict. Successful cyberattacks against power grids could not only cause societal and economic disruptions, but also put a dent in the military readiness of European countries. In the event of a blackout, the lights could go out in town halls and military facilities alike. Lukas Trakimavičius explains how micro grids … [Read more...]
The man who wanted to change the world – portrait of a climate visionary
Award-winning director Mariëtte Faber’s documentary “The man who wanted to change the world” has, in her words, come to the end of the line. After countless screenings and a decent clutch of awards, she has decided to make it available for all to see. Whilst climate visionary Peter Westerveld’s work, a key aspect of the film, was not directly related to energy, it was about reversing the momentum of dangerous climate patterns. The techniques … [Read more...]
Majority of EU countries unable to keep citizens warm this winter
Press releases this week from Friends of the Earth Europe and the European Greens highlight energy poverty levels on our doorstep in Europe. This followed the publication of new research on OpenEXP. It reminds you of the vital benefits of maximising energy efficiency - getting the same for less energy or getting more from the same. Amory Lovins (Rocky Mountain Institute) called upon us to "Imagine being able to save half the electricity for free … [Read more...]
Driving energy efficiency investment beyond 2020
With rising GDP, the European Union is once again at risk of missing the 2020 targets for energy efficiency, and yet more ambitious targets for 2030 lie ahead. Regulation, especially for energy efficiency in buildings, is already driving demand, according to the European Investment Bank, with commercial banks acting as aggregators. Peter Sweatman, rapporteur of the Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group is optimistic on the future … [Read more...]
Greece: lignite asset sale failure could shift focus to electricity market reform and renewables
This month Greece’s Public Power Corporation (PPC) admitted its effort to sell a third of its lignite assets had failed. Dr. Nikos Mantzaris, of the think tank The Green Tank, gives his explanation for why the numbers never added up for the buyers. He now fears the PPC will simply sweeten the deal. Instead, Greece should abandon failing lignite assets, reform the electricity market and refocus on renewables. … [Read more...]
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