Nothing is better for fossil fuel interests than current government policies supporting wind, solar and electric cars, writes independent researcher Schalk Cloete. These green technologies won't reduce fossil fuel consumption sufficiently for a long time to come, so the fossil fuel sector will be able to survive that much longer. In the third and last part of a series on green technology-forcing, Cloete calls on all sustainability advocates to … [Read more...]
Three new energy companies finding value in three new business models
Not a day goes by without news of a new start-up or one that has been flying under the radar, writes energy expert and author Fereidoon Sioshansi. In this article, he takes a closer look at three of them, which seem to have promising business models: Open Utility, OhmConnect and Off Grid Electric. Courtesy EEnergy Informer. … [Read more...]
If solar panels are so clean, why do they produce so much toxic waste?
The disposal of used solar panels is a huge and growing problem that is not being sufficiently addressed, writes Michael Shellenberger, founder of the pro-nuclear citizens movement Environmental Progress (EP). He argues that a fee should be imposed on solar panels which should go into a fund to pay for recyling and clean-up. … [Read more...]
Planned Kosovo lignite power plant fails to commit to cleaner technologies
London-listed, global energy investor ContourGlobal portrays its plans for a new coal power plant in Kosovo as a step towards cleaner air, but its legal agreement with the government shows that it fails to commit to best-in-class environmental performance, writes energy finance consultant Gerard Wynn. Courtesy Energy and Carbon blog. … [Read more...]
Big Oil pivots to electricity, Total leads the way
Most big oil companies are considering how they can change their focus from oil to gas and renewables. Leading the way is French oil major Total, writes Fereidoon Sioshansi, publisher of newsletter EEnergy Informer. … [Read more...]
EVs to make up third of market in 2040, e-buses to dominate end 2020s
Electric vehicles will become cheaper than the internal combustion engine in a half decade, and will make up a third of the car fleet by 2040, while electric buses will completely âdominateâ their sector by the late-2020s, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), which just published its Electric Vehicle Outlook 2018 report. Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com reports. Courtesy Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
Is offshore wind about to hit cost-competitiveness in the U.S.?
Offshore wind may seem like a pricey option, but itâs actually an extremely valuable investment, writes Mike OâBoyle of San Francisco-based think tank Energy Innovation. According to a new analysis, the market value of electricity generated by offshore wind will soon exceed its cost in New York and several New England states. … [Read more...]
The plethora of better alternatives to wind and solar power and electric cars
Technology neutrality can activate more than ten times greater sustainable development potential than current technology-forcing policies, writes independent researcher Schalk Cloete. In the second part of a series which follows an article about the dangers of technology-forcing of wind and solar power and battery electric vehicles, Cloete reviews eight alternative sustainable development solutions that he believes have greater climate mitigation … [Read more...]
11 ways the Paris climate deal is working in the real world
As climate talks stall, itâs clear the UN process is no longer the major driving force of the climate transition, write Soila Apparicio, Megan Darby and Karl Mathiesen of Climate Home News. While diplomates are negotiating the complex rules of the Paris deal, businesses, researchers, governments and citizens are coming up with new ways to move the climate to a safer place. Courtesy: Climate Home News … [Read more...]
Polandâs stunning e-mobility plans
The Polish government has adopted a new law on electromobility aimed at turning Poland into an e-mobility leader in Europe. The country wants to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2025 (Download position paper here). Already home to electric bus manufacturing plants and a big EV battery plant, Poland is set to become the motor for electrifying transport in Europe. âWe are really pioneersâ, says Marta GajÄcka, Head of Energy Advisors to the … [Read more...]
Why the EU should ban SF6
SF6, the most potent greenhouse gas in existence, was banned for all applications in the EU in 2014 â except in the electricity industry. The reason for the exemption, writes Nicholas Ottersbach, researcher at German cleantech startup Nuventura, was that there was no viable alternative. But according to Ottersbach that is no longer the case. He calls on EU policymakers to ban SF6, in the electricity industry when the relevant EU legislation is … [Read more...]
We examined 885 European citiesâ plans to tackle climate change â hereâs what we found
Cities are taking climate change threats seriously but more could be done according to a new study looking at the climate plans of 885 European cities. The role of governments in providing legal and regulatory frameworks and guidance is essential to ensure that cities are well prepared for climate change, write Oliver Heidrich of Newcastle University and Diana Reckien of the University of Twente. Courtesy: The Conversation … [Read more...]
For Eastern Europe, controllable renewable power is a good alternative for new nuclear power
Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary are all planning to build new nuclear power plants. But according to a new study by Energy Brainpool, commissioned by Greenpeace Energy, they could also opt for controllable renewable power plants. These are cost-competitive with nuclear, at least as reliable, and also allow for energy independence, write Philipp Heidinger, Fabian Huneke and Simon Göà from Energy Brainpool. … [Read more...]
Investors have a choice: vote for Shellâs âwhatever worldâ or the world of the Church of England
The climate resolution which will be voted on at the upcoming Shell annual shareholdings meeting on 22 May, is not about Shell alone, writes Mark van Baal, founder of Follow This, the investor group who introduced it. Van Baal calls on investors to follow the advice of the Church of England to vote for the resolution, and not that of the directors, who are demanding they will be given  âthe flexibility to continue to thrive in whatever world … [Read more...]
‘Tsunami’ of hydropower dam building threatens Europe’s last wild rivers â campaigners
The transition to low-carbon energy sources in the Balkans could cause irreversible environmental damage, environmentalists fear. Proposed hydropower dam constructions endanger Europeâs last wild rivers and some diversity hotspots, writes Umberto Bacchi of Thomson Reuters Foundation. Courtesy: Thomson Reuters Foundation. … [Read more...]
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