Stop obsessing about raising CO2 taxes, says Severin Borenstein at the Energy Institute at Haas. It’s good, but not enough. Why? Textbook economics says if you tax something bad, innovators are incentivised and rewarded for coming up with something better. That’s true for cigarettes (vaping), plastic wrapping (recyclables, biodegradables), traffic (public transport). But there’s a limit with CO2 taxes, says the author. In developing countries … [Read more...]
Fieldfisher Interconnectors Forum – Brussels, 21 March 2019
The Fieldfisher Interconnector Forum will take a highly topical look at Interconnectors across Europe and the UK. This free half day event will cover significant legal developments and hot topics, including: The Outlook for Interconnectors - Future Opportunities Brexit and Future Energy Trading Scenarios Energy Market and Regulation Updates Environmental and Planning Perspectives Attendees will hear from Will Bridges, … [Read more...]
Investing in gas: the effect of carbon taxes, gas prices, and the growth of renewables
Schalk Cloete presents his latest article looking at what affects the profitability of an investment in a specific power sector. After reviewing onshore wind, nuclear and solar, he now looks at gas. His analysis of coal is to come. The major variables are increasing CO2 prices, and natural gas pricing. He adds that the growth of wind and solar should benefit load-following gas power plants: they are plugging the intermittency gap when electricity … [Read more...]
Carbon taxes aren’t working any more. Only ramping up policies and infrastructure can accelerate the transition
Anthony Patt and Johan Lilliestam of ETH Zurich make the case against carbon taxes. Climate policy is most effective when it helps people use alternative energy sources, rather than when it makes fossil energy more expensive. Fostering an energy system free of fossil fuels requires financial, infrastructure, and institutional support for specific technologies. That requires a different and much braver approach. Reducing or eliminating carbon … [Read more...]
What is the demand for EVs – really?
In on-trend California you’ll find 10% of the entire world’s EVs but to achieve their ambitious target of putting 5-million zero-emissions vehicles on the road by 2030 they require subsidies. However, a new report for the US National Bureau of Economic Research, finds the subsidies just save rich people money and don't drive the volume required from average consumers. In addition, by 2025, the scheme will have cost at least 5x more than forecast. … [Read more...]
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