The Europe-wide PV GRID consortium has released a consultation document containing key recommendations for the adoption of technical solutions to ease the integration of photovoltaics (PV) into the distribution grid. Over the next three months, fifteen national workshops will take place throughout Europe presenting and discussing the project's findings. Since May 2012, the PV GRID project consortium has been working on identifying and … [Read more...]
Changing landscapes not global warming to blame for increased flood risk
Major flood events occur around the world every year, but with international loss databases documenting increased incidents of flooding, more material loss and greater fatality rates, are these events on the increase, and are they getting worse? A new study published in Hydrological Sciences Journal examines the key reasons for increasing frequency and severity of floods; considering whether this is due to improved reporting by the media, an … [Read more...]
The energy efficiency credibility gap: does EU funding really pay off?
Powerful lobbying has ensured that energy efficiency is high on the political agenda. With up to €23 billion available in a new round of EU funding, there is ample capital at the disposal of Member States to undertake energy efficiency retrofit programs. The question is: will countries be able to spend this money wisely? In a previous round of funding, energy efficiency programs were deemed ineffective. This time Brussels has imposed new … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Special rules needed for energy intensive industries”, argues E.ON CEO
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment and climate journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Dr. Johannes Teyssen, CEO of E.ON and President of Eurelectric to discuss the potential for competitivenesswithin the 2030 Energy and Climate Framework. Dr. Johannes Teyssen argues that competitiveness and the 2030 climate and energy strategy are not contradicting each other: “If climate policy is implemented efficiently, it can go alongside … [Read more...]
How warm is it really?
NASA and the NOAA in the US have just released their official 2013 global temperature records. You can find them by clicking on this link. The critics of the global warming theory will note that the "pause" in global warming continues. Defenders of the theory will note that 2013 was among the ten warmest years on record. Again, the critics will note that the extent of Antarctic ice was considerably higher than average. The defenders will … [Read more...]
Brussels confines climate policy to emission reduction and emission trading
The European Commission’s 2030 climate and energy package unveiled on 22January confines itself to two main proposals: a 40% binding greenhouse gas emission reduction target and legislative reform of the EU Emission Trading Scheme. Significantly, it does not include post-2020 national renewable energy targets or new energy efficiency targets. It also drops the fuel quality directive which underpins the use of biofuels in the transport sector. The … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 2030 Climate and Energy Framework “will foster innovation”, claims Climate Commissioner Hedegaard
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment and climate journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard for an exclusive interview on the interaction between competitiveness and the 2030 Energy and Climate Framework. Hedegaard explains why climate policy should not be blamed for de-industrialisation and hampering competitiveness. “Energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors, were among the sectors that created more jobs … [Read more...]
Brussels: ocean energy could fulfill all our energy needs
The European Commission published an ambitious  Action Plan for “Blue Energy” on 20 January that should pave the way to a vibrant European ocean energy industry. Ocean Energy Europe, a consortium that includes Eon, Alstom and EDF, takes tidal and wave energy very seriously. It has a goal of 100,000 MW installed in European waters by 2050. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “If Europe had one voice, energy prices could be reduced”, claims IEA’s Fatih Birol
Hughes Belin, leading energy journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Fatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency, to discuss the World Energy Outlook 2013. In this interview, Birol looks at global energy prices and analyses the big price difference between the US and Europe. “Energy markets are going through very dynamic times. Today gas prices in Europe are 3 times higher than those in the US and electricity in Europe istwice … [Read more...]
The French disconnection – How to reduce the nuclear share in France’s energy mix
In a paper  written for the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, David Buchan takes stock of the debate that has been going on in France on the future of nuclear power. He concludes that it makes sense for France to prolong the lives of its existing reactors, but that replacing them at some point in the future will be a huge challenge. He argues that the country will not be able to do this in the same way and the same timeframe that it built … [Read more...]
European Commission reveals: EU governments push up energy prices dramatically
Retail energy prices are rising dramatically across Europe even as wholesale prices and consumption are coming down. Taxes and levies – set by national governments – are the main culprit, says the European Commission. Energy Post offers a sneak preview of an analysis of energy prices and costs expected from the European Commission on 22nd January. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Top 5 EU Energy Priorities – All you need to know for 2014
Hughes Belin, leading energy journalist at viEUws.eu, takes a pick at the top 5 energy issues that will be discussed by the EU institutions under the Greek Presidency during the first half of 2014.  The main issue on the agenda will be the 2030 energy and climate framework, the package will be published on the 22nd of January. A debate on energy state aid will take place under the lead of competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia during … [Read more...]
Peak oil is dead. Long live peak oil!
Peak oil theory has been replaced with a new theory that might be called “techno-dynamism”. It holds that there is no limit to the amount of oil as long as the industry can apply its technological wizardry to oil production. However, there are three problems with this theory: technology costs keep going up, political and environmental risk keeps mounting, and climate policies will suppress demand which will in turn discourage invesment. The … [Read more...]
Climate policy bumps into competitiveness in Europe
Behind the heated debate in Brussels about climate and renewable energy targets, what is really happening is that concern over high energy prices has taken precedence over climate concerns in Europe. Competitiveness has caught up with climate policy. Indeed, the two issues have become so intertwined that when the European Commission will present its new climate and energy policy on 22 January, it will at the same time launch a new industrial … [Read more...]
The five global implications of shale oil and gas
Much has been said about the shale (oil and gas) revolution, but according to Christof RĂĽhl, Group Chief Economist and Vice-President of BP, its real implications have yet to sink in. He points out, for example, that no detailed assessment has been made yet of its macro-economic impacts. In this wide-ranging analysis, RĂĽhl – one of the world’s most influential energy economists – discusses some of the major implications of shale. He notes that as … [Read more...]
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