“The smart grid” is a notoriously complex subject that is still quite abstract to many in the energy industry. Few know more about it than Silicon Valley-based boardroom consultant, author (of the bilingual English-Chinese “Smart Grid Dictionary”), and professional explainer Christine Hertzog. In this article she offers her insights on the major smart grids trends to be expected in the coming years. Her focus is on the U.S., but for European … [Read more...]
Saudi Arabia launches Renewable Resource Atlas
With the launch in December of its online Renewable Resource Atlas, Saudi Arabia has taken an important step into bringing its ambitious renewable energy plans closer to realisation. The Atlas will provide developers of solar power (and later also wind power, geothermal heat and waste-to-energy) comprehensive, reliable data on which to base project bids. Heba Hashem of CSP Today reports. … [Read more...]
The greatest business opportunity of our time
Amory Lovins, the founder of the famous Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, has written a book in which he presents an energy future without coal, oil or nuclear power. Yet he insists his is not a green or left-wing vision. On the contrary, it will save money and create wealth. “The energy transformation is the greatest business opportunity of our time.” … [Read more...]
Rosatom signs contract to build nuclear plant for Fennovoima in Finland
Interview with Chairman Pekka Ottavainen: “It was a very simple choice”. The Finnish company Fennovoima has signed a contract with Rosatom to build a 1200 MW greenfield nuclear power plant, Hanhikivi I, in Pyhäjoki in northern Finland. It is the first time in the post-Soviet era that the Russian company will be building a new nuclear power station in the EU. The plant will cost roughly €6 billion and will deliver electricity at “no more than … [Read more...]
“European gas market will go from very tight to strongly competitive”
The European gas market will see “strong competition in the future”. This means that despite declining domestic production, Europe’s dependence on Russian gas will not increase over the long term. In the short term, however, over the next five years or so, Europe’s gas market could become very tight and Russia’s position will be stronger than ever. These are the expectations of energy expert Tatiana Mitrova of the Energy Research Institute of the … [Read more...]
Eastern Mediterranean Gas – Plea for a peace pipeline!
To exploit the exciting new gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean in the most profitable way, both economically and politically, the best option is to build a pipeline from Israel’s Leviathan field via Cyprus to Turkey, argues Friedbert PflĂĽger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS) at King’s College London. Such a pipeline is less costly than an LNG terminal in Cyprus – and it could serve as an instrument … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels launches state aid probe into Cameron’s nuclear project
Hughes Belin, leading energy journalist at viEUws.eu, looks into the merits of the Commission’s decision to open a state aid probe into the new nuclear power project at Hinkley Point C in the United Kingdom. The European Commission is currently carrying out and in-depth investigation of the business model of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has doubts with regard to the compatibility of the UK … [Read more...]
2014: the year of energy storage
Energy storage: it’s no longer a problem, it’s become a huge business opportunity. As one market watcher recently put it: “The energy storage industry is in the early stages of what will become a giant global market”. As with any new market, however, it is difficult for participants to find reliable information. Fortunately, there is now the interactive International Energy Storage Database (IESDB) of the US Department of Energy (DoE), which … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Europe needs to adjust its climate policy”, claims Polish Climate Secretary of State
Hughes Belin, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Marcin Korolec, Polish Secretary of State for Climate to discuss the outcome of the COP19 negotiations - the 19th Conference of Partners of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - in Warsaw and theEuropean Union’s perspective on tackling climate change. Poland’s Secretary of State for Climate is also the president of the UN climate talks until the next … [Read more...]
What if one third of Australians choose to go off-grid?
The Australian national science agency CSIRO has undertaken a study into how the electricity grid in Australia could develop over the coming decades. Giles Parkinson, editor-in-chief of the Australian website RenewEconomy, discusses the four scenarios that SCIRO explores: “leaving-the-grid”, in which one-third of Australian consumers go off-grid; “prosumer” , which is similar but has active utility companies that lead the transition; “renewables … [Read more...]
New gas discoveries in southern periphery may transform European energy landscape
Cyprus may have what it takes to become an important gas supplier and energy hub for Europe. Natural gas discoveries in the country's offshore areas could form the foundation of a large liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Cyprus, additionally supplied by gas from Israel. The creation of such a “second Southern Corridor” would give an important economic boost to southeast Europe, significantly improve European security of energy supply and … [Read more...]
Interview EU Climate Chief Connie Hedegaard: “Climate policy cannot be based on emission reduction alone”
The European Union should adopt EU-wide targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency for 2030, says Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard in an interview with Energy Post. She rejects pleas from the energy sector to base EU climate policy solely on CO2 emission reduction targets. She does note, however, that there has been a tendency to “overcompensate” renewable energy, i.e. too generous subsidies. “It was never the plan to subsidise … [Read more...]
VIDEO: EU Climate Commissioner supports renewables & efficiency targets
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard for an exclusive interview on the 2030 climate and energy debate. In this interview, Commissioner Hedegaard insists on the importance of keeping renewables and efficiency targets. Moreover, the Commissioner stresses that the future lies with a more integrated energy policy at European Union level. For her, “pricing is essential” and … [Read more...]
UK electricity market: financiers are holding the government over a barrel
The UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) published new “strike prices” for renewable energy on 4 December, claiming these will lead to additional investment of ÂŁ40 billion in renewable electricity generation up to 2020. But according to Michael Knowles, Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the support scheme is too generous for suppliers and DECC should do much more to drive costs of renewables down. … [Read more...]
WTO should go for Global Green Growth trade deal
The trade facilitation agreement reached by the WTO last Saturday is only a modest step towards a global trade deal. What the world needs now, writes John Mathews, is a Global Green Growth trade deal that would not only enhance the stature of the WTO, but would deliver huge investment in green growth – and far more secure cuts in carbon emissions than any Kyoto-style agreement could ever achieve. … [Read more...]
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