A research team led by Rui Carvahlo from Queen Mary University in London has published a model that shows how to handle congestion in Europe’s gas supply network in case of crises and supply disruptions. The model is meant to offer a “resilient response strategy to energy shortages”. The researchers conclude that “in essence, Europe's gas supply can be made robust even to major supply disruptions, if a fair distribution strategy is … [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...]
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...]
Viewpoint: European gas industry needs paradigm shift
The European gas industry should “stop complaining” and ask itself what it can offer to society to help bring about the transition that people demand, writes Wim Groenendijk, Head of International and Regulatory Affairs at the Dutch transmission system operator Gasunie. “As the ones who are looking after the energy supply, we should take our responsibility.” … [Read more...]
Interview with Johannes Teyssen, CEO of Eon: “Renewables can become biggest without subsidies”
Dr Johannes Teyssen, CEO of Eon and President of Eurelectric, doesn’t beat about the bush: in an exclusive interview with Energy Post, he says that Europe needs a single climate target for 2030 of “between 40% and 50%” emission reduction. At the same time all energy subsidies and “green levies” should go. Renewables “have all the chance in the world to take the biggest chunk of the market” even without subsidies. The European Commission should … [Read more...]
Give Iran a chance to be tested
The interim-deal with Iran should be given a fair chance, argues Friedbert PflĂĽger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS). The world economy would benefit if Iranian oil and gas exports could be restored. The climate would benefit if the massive flaring of gas in Iran and the prevailing energy inefficiency could be reduced and renewable energy investments stimulated. … [Read more...]
Exclusive interview IEA-Director Maria van der Hoeven: “We cannot rule out new revolutions”
In its new World Energy Outlook (WEO), the IEA is cautious about the prospects of unconventional oil and gas outside the US. As regards shale gas, it notes that “uncertainty remains over the quality, the costs and public acceptance.” Yet in an interview with Energy Post, IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven notes that “the gas is there. All geologists are agreed on that.” Moreover, “there may be other surprises in store, for example with … [Read more...]
Why an EU-US trade deal matters for the energy sector
This week the second round of negotiations for an EU-US free trade agreement is taking place. Energy has not been making headlines in the context of these talks, but a TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) will have far-reaching implications for the energy sector, e.g. with regard to oil sands, LNG and shale gas. NGO’s worry that the TTIP will give big business the chance to undermine Europe’s environmental legislation. Sonja van … [Read more...]
Fossil fuel euphoria: oil and gas forever!
A European country like Germany may have embarked on an energy transformation away from fossil fuels - with major German energy companies like RWE following suit - worldwide there is no such trend, notes US energy expert and author Michael T. Klare. On the contrary, countries and companies, particularly in the US, are euphoric about all the new "unconventional" oil and gas coming on the market. "What we're seeing is a sea change in elite thinking … [Read more...]
How to turn Bulgaria into Eastern Europe’s energy hub and gateway
Bulgaria has become notorious for the failure of many big energy projects in recent years. Yet there is more going on in the Bulgarian energy sector than meets the eye, writes independent energy consultant Valentin Stoyanov. According to Stoyanov, Bulgaria could even become one of Europe’s main energy hubs. The country has strong and diverse energy assets to start with, ranging from coal and nuclear power to hydropower and renewable energies. It … [Read more...]
The real prospects for South Stream: it’s all about exemption
With the end of the Nabucco pipeline project, the road seems clear for Gazprom to soon triumphantly roll out its rival South Stream project. This is certainly what recent media reports have suggested. In reality, however, South Stream is still very far from what could be described as a “launching phase”, writes Bulgarian energy consultant Valentin Stoyanov. According to Stoyanov the success of South Stream now depends on the EU. If Brussels does … [Read more...]
European-Russian gas partnership threatens to unravel
As the areas of potential conflict are multiplying, the EU and Russia seem to be blundering into an increasingly fractious energy relationship that threatens to hurt both sides. Russia’s policies are even risking the whole future of gas in the European energy market, argues Frank Umbach, Associate Director at the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS), King's College, London. Umbach, who also works for the Centre for European … [Read more...]
Mr Putin, please shut down those pipelines again!
The EU internal market for gas will remain incomplete as long as long as many Member States continue to persist in following national policies, writes Tim Boersma, dissertation candidate at the University of Groningen and soon-to-be fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Energy Security Initiative in Washington, DC. According to Boersma, much better policy coordination is needed if Europe is not to miss out on the substantial benefits of an … [Read more...]