With adversity comes opportunity. The global gas crunch has hurt countries around the world but has also made them appreciate their common concerns. That has provoked policy-makers to take a serious look at current and future energy security policies. In the EU the competitive gas markets, enabled by short-term spot markets, has reminded us of the value of long-term contracts when prices are volatile and rising. Meanwhile, Chinaâs … [Read more...]
Next German governmentâs climate and energy plans: what will Olaf Scholz do?
Olaf Scholz led Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) to an unexpected win in the 2021 elections held in September. He now needs to finalise a coalition with the Green Party and the pro-business FDP before forming a government and becoming chancellor. Like his predecessor Angela Merkel, Scholz has said he wants to become a "climate chancellor". Kerstine Appunn and Benjamin Wehrmann at Clean Energy Wire try to understand what his climate and energy … [Read more...]
Implementation map on barriers and success factors for E1st in buildings
The research in this report by the ENEFIRST project builds on the report âPriority areas for implementing Efficiency Firstâ which identified policy approaches for implementing the E1st principle in the policy areas of buildings and related energy systems (power sector and district heating) with the potential to be fully implemented across the EU. This report analyses in three steps the barriers and success factors specific to nine of these … [Read more...]
Green Ammonia Market: a New Era for Energy and Power Industry
Green ammonia uses renewable energy instead of natural gas or coal for producing hydrogen; hence, is an effective way to reduce greenhouse emissions. The electrochemical Haber-Bosch process produces ammonia without any greenhouse emissions. Green ammonia refers to ammonia, which has been produced through a process that is 100% renewable and carbon-free. Reducing the carbon dioxide emissions during the production process is essential to achieve … [Read more...]
Coronavirus bailouts should be explicit, not hidden by CO2 tax cuts. And nothing for Oil
Many industries will be pleading their case for a Coronavirus bailout. Severin Borenstein at the Energy Institute at Haas explains why the oil industry should not be one of them. Oil prices, already on the slide, are indeed sinking lower thanks to the pandemic. But decarbonisation should be sending them that way anyway. And the oil price has always be artificially high thanks to the OPEC cartel and weak or complicit âcompetitionâ from non-OPEC … [Read more...]
PRESS RELEASE: Jose Luis Martinez Dalmau is elected as new President of ESTELA.
Mr. Jose Luis Martinez Dalmau was appointed unanimously as President by the ESTELA General Assembly for a 2-year term â 2019-2021 right after the announcement by Dr Crespo to retire. The newly mandated Executive Committee (ExCom) of ESTELA is composed of three Vice-Presidents â J. A. Nebrera (ACS Cobra), J. Sandhu (ENGIE), C. Prieto (Abengoa), and six Members â E. Absil (CMI Solar), R. GarcĂa (Protermosolar, the Spanish STE association), R. … [Read more...]
Grid Asset Management 2019
Grid Asset Management 2019 Data-Driven Asset Management to Support Smart Investment Planning and Optimised Lifecycle Management 3-Day Conference, Exhibition & Networking Forum 14-16 May 2019, London Drawing together 120+ smart grid asset management professionals, this 3-day case-study driven programme provides an intensive review of 14+ next generation asset management digitalisation programmes. As regulatory pressures and smart … [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...]
Scientist’s view: recent energy & environmental news 2/11/19
Energy Friends, once again, a cycle with a lot of news. Here is a digest of the latest edition of the Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) monthly newsletter. For the full version click here. … [Read more...]
EU energy sector set for crucial state aid decisions in 2019
2018 was a watershed year for state aid regulations in the EU energy sector. A number of landmark rulings by the European Commission towards different member states have challenged the legality of various state aid measures and prompted governments to reconsider mechanisms for supporting domestic energy sectors. In particular, early-stage capacity mechanism procedures for many member states have been scrutinised, albeit favourably, and … [Read more...]
Digitalisation is changing the energy landscape
The energy sector is already using data in sophisticated ways to meet a wide range of challenges, from fault prediction in grid networks to the delivery of personalised energy to households. As more data becomes âbig dataâ and smart devices proliferate along the value chain, Matt Brown and Ravi Mahendra of Pöyry Management Consulting make their predictions for more digitalisation in the coming year. … [Read more...]
Understanding how consumers engage with energy data is essential for delivering a âClean Energy Package for all Europeansâ
In its new policy framework âthe Clean Energy for All Europeans Packageâ, the European Commission highlights the key and central role of consumers in the global transition to a low-carbon society. It proposes to help consumers save money and energy through better information and give them a wider choice of action when choosing their participation in energy markets. … [Read more...]
Ukrainian Gas E&P Forum in London
Ukrainian Gas E&P Forum, is taking place on 29th January at the Geological Society in Piccadilly, London and is organised by Strategy Council. The event enjoys the official support and involvement of the National Investment Council under the President of Ukraine, the Association of Gas Producers of Ukraine, UkraineInvest and the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK. Last month the Ukrainian government announced that it is conducting international … [Read more...]
Energy Efficiency gains must reduce our consumption, not just our bills
Energy Efficiencyâs role in the mix of tools we use to reduce carbon emissions is crucial. But Energy Efficiency gains can have a rebound effect: as your bills reduce, you have more money to spend on more energy. We need incentives and policies to reduce actual consumption, otherwise weâre making it harder to cut emissions, argues Parakram Pyakurel of Southampton Solent University, UK. … [Read more...]
Making deep decarbonisation a reality
While the final agreement of the Clean Energy Package represents a critical step forward for the energy industry, I have some bad news. There is still a lot more work to do. Whilst it might be tempting to think of the design of energy regulations and markets as a path from âbadâ to âgoodâ, this is not the case. It is a never-ending journey driven by changes in context, people and technology. Ten years ago, I helped produce the landmark … [Read more...]