Technological advances in grid operation have made the power grid increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, writes Michael McElfresh, Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering at Santa Clara University.  The growth of the smart grid has created many more access points for penetrating grid computer systems – the “internet of things” will only make this worse. … [Read more...]
On the road: EU goes for efficient and electric, ponders biofuels
The European Commission’s strategy for decarbonising the road transport sector is finally taking shape: Brussels wants efficiency first, electrification second. But it doesn't know what to do about biofuels. “There is no appetite for [new] targets”, says Commission Director Marie Donnelly. Sonja van Renssen takes us on the bumpy road to a climate-friendly European transport sector. … [Read more...]
Unique: Dutch court orders government to do more against climate change
In a unique decision, the district court of The Hague has ordered the Dutch government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% in 2020 compared to 1990. Current ambitions of the Dutch government amount to a reduction of around 17%. The case was brought by Dutch NGO Urgenda and nine hundred co-plaintiffs. … [Read more...]
The grid will not be disrupted: why Tesla’s Powerwall won’t catalyze a solar revolution
When Tesla Motors debuted the Powerwall home storage battery at a glitzy launch at the end of April, the press and blogosphere hailed CEO Elon Musk as the inventor of the Holy Grail of renewable energy storage – and the nail in the coffin for the centralized grid. But does all the messianic talk of battery-powered “disruption” and solar triumphalism stack up? Hardly. For all their ballyhooed price reductions, Tesla batteries are still too … [Read more...]
Tories are backing the wrong energy horses
By opting for nuclear power and shale gas, and reducing support for wind energy, the new Tory government is betting on the wrong energy horses, write Peter Strachan and Alex Russell of Robert Gordon University. "New nuclear looks a very costly and unreliable drain on the government’s budget, while fracking looks expensive, incompatible with emissions targets and probably uneconomic at current oil prices." … [Read more...]
Dimitri Pescia, Agora Energiewende: “No more baseload in 2030, no case for new nuclear in Europe”
There will be no more baseload power in Germany in 2030 and possibly not anywhere in Europe. There is no business case for new nuclear power in Europe. Renewables, not thermal power, should get capacity payments - and be responsible for balancing. These are some of the explosive messages from a new report from the influential German think tank Agora Energiewende, which represents government, industry and NGO's. In an exclusive interview with … [Read more...]
Worldwatch Institute: energy costs rise as national debts grow
Although current oil prices are temporarily low, long-term energy costs are on the rise, reports the Worldwatch Institute in its State of the World 2015 report. The Worldwatch Institute warns that “higher energy costs will have ripple effects through economies built around continued large energy-input requirements”. … [Read more...]
Four reasons for business to follow the Paris process
Most companies pay little attention to the complex processes going on within the UN climate negotiations. There are, however, good reasons why companies should follow the Paris process, write Maarten Neelis and Rolf de Vos of energy consultancy Ecofys, and especially the “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs). These provide companies with vital information on how climate policies will develop in different countries and what … [Read more...]
Heaven belongs to us all – the new papal encyclical
With his encyclical "Laudato Si" the Pope has written more than a moral appeal without obligation. He has presented a pioneering political analysis with great explosive power, which will probably determine the public debate on climate change, poverty and inequality for years to come, argues Brigitte Knopf from the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. Through her secular eyes the implications of the encyclical become … [Read more...]
viEUws VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy – All you need to know for June 2015
In this Brussels Briefing on Energy for viEUws.eu, journalist Hughes Belin provides an overview of the latest EU energy policy developments, including the latest progress report from the Commission on renewable energy in EUrope and news on European energy security strategy. … [Read more...]
Brussels, don’t leave customer participation in the electricity market to the incumbents!
Consumer participation in the electricity market is essential to make the energy transition possible. However, writes Philip Baker of the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), a think-tank specializing in regulatory and market policy, incumbent suppliers cannot be relied upon to make this happen. Â Therefore, the European Commission needs to ensure that new players can enter the market. … [Read more...]
Europe’s energy revolution marches on: one-third of power supply now renewable
Fully one-third of electricity produced in Europe last year came from renewable energy, reports ENTSO-E (the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity). Four years ago this was just 24%. The increased share of renewables has come at the expense of fossil fuels. “There is a revolution taking place”, says Susanne Nies, Corporate Affairs Manager at ENTSO-E. … [Read more...]
As race for Arctic oil and gas reserves heats up, so do the war gamesÂ
On June 15, the U.S. military exercise Northern Edge 2015 got underway in the Arctic. According to award-winning author Dahr Jamail, this will have a massive impact on the pristine Arctic environment. And it’s only the beginning: “As the race heats up for reserves of oil and gas in the melting Arctic, so do the Navy’s war games”. … [Read more...]
Danish offshore wind: it’s getting better all the time
Denmark continues to set the pace in driving down the cost of offshore wind. In its latest tender for 350 MW of near-shore wind farms the maximum price has again been reduced. Danish offshore wind now costs roughly half of what the new nuclear plant at Hinkley in the UK will cost. … [Read more...]
Good luck G7 leaders – we won’t be off fossil fuels by 2100
The most powerful leaders in the West used the G7 summit in Germany to make a big statement on the environment. Their stated goal is to cut carbon emissions by 40% to 70% by 2050 and then end all fossil-fuel use by 2100. They announced a US$100bn (ÂŁ65bn) fund by 2020 comprising public and private money to help smooth the transition. My response to David Cameron, Angela Merkel and the rest is pretty simple: good luck with that. … [Read more...]
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