There are two major issues on which the future of the energy sector hangs, notes EP editor Karel Beckman: 1) Â how far will the renewables revolution go in combination with climate policy; 2) how will growing geopolitical tensions, especially relations with Russia, affect markets? Karel asks whether we need capacity schemes, indicates how utilities could get back on a growth path and how (not) to deal with Russia. … [Read more...]
US energy independence: fact or fiction?
What do you get when you speak with four American investment analysts about the prospects of US gas and oil production, the sustainability of fracking, the risks of the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the potential of nuclear energy and renewables? You get four different, but outspoken opinions, from people with different  perspectives on the world than what you usually find in Europe. A four-way interview by J.T. Long for The Energy … [Read more...]
Why the US has not made more progress in moving to a renewable energy future – a personal view
In 1978 a monumental multi-departmental study was submitted to President Carter concluding that “solar energy could make a significant contribution to U.S. energy supply by the end of this century”. The study, backed by 30 federal departments, stated that “even with today’s subsidized energy prices, many solar technologies are already economic.” Yet no action was taken and solar power and other renewable energies stagnated for over 30 years. … [Read more...]
Kurdish oil will find its way out
In May, Iraqi-Kurdistan for the first time ever sold oil to international markets, defying a ban on oil exports from the central government in Baghdad. According to Friedbert PflĂĽger, the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) will have no problems finding investors and customers to build up its potentially huge oil and gas business. With the current crisis in Iraq, Baghdad should come to terms with the KRG if it wants to share in the proceeds. … [Read more...]
The new Oil Wars in Iraq
Underlying much of the violence that has broken out in Iraq is a struggle to obtain control over Iraq’s oil resources or at least a “fair share” of oil revenues, writes Michael Schwartz, author of many books and articles including “War Without End: The Iraq War in Context”. According to Schwartz’s analysis,the insurgents are attempting to accomplish by force what was denied to them by the central government: a portion of the proceeds from the … [Read more...]
The days of solar power may be closer than you think
Many people are unaware quite how close we are to reaching a critical milestone in the industry. Within a fairly short space of time, solar generated electricity will be fully cost competitive with coal-powered electricity -- at least if the governments of the world's two largest energy consuming nations have their way. … [Read more...]
Obama’s Clean Power Plan: why it’s smarter than you think (and beats EU policy)
The Clean Power Plan recently announced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been hailed for its good intentions, but also widely criticized for its “modest” ambitions. What most commentators have failed to note, however, is that, compared to EU climate policies, Obama’s plan is really a smart piece of legislation. It avoids the policy failures made by Brussels and lays a solid foundation for a successful low-carbon strategy. … [Read more...]
Perspectives on Obama’s clean power plan: small step for US, big step for mankind?
The proposal made by the US Environmental Protection Agency to reduce CO2 emissions from power stations in the US by 30% has been hailed by many as a historic breakthrough in US climate policy. Others, however, argue that the proposal is quite moderate. Some even say the plan will do nothing for the climate at all. Supporters say the main benefits of the plan is the precedent it sets and the message it sends. Energy Post editor Karel Beckman … [Read more...]
US Environmental Protection Agency EPA proposes first guidelines to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants
At the direction of President Obama and after an unprecedented outreach effort, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has on June 2 released the Clean Power Plan proposal, which for the first time cuts carbon pollution from existing power plants, the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.Today’s proposal will protect public health, move the United States toward a cleaner environment and fight climate change while … [Read more...]
What a difference a decade makes: an updated reality check on the global energy system
Robert Wilson takes a very hard-headed look at the state of the global energy system, in particular at the US and China. He comes up with some stunning conclusions. America’s per-capita energy consumption, he argues, is excessive and could easily be halved without any negative impact on the standard of living. But no matter what the US does, China is already by far the largest energy consumer in the world. And unfortunately, despite taking some … [Read more...]
The Birth of a Eurasian Century
The signing of the long-awaited $400 billion gas contract between Russia and China is a sign of changing times, writes Pepe Escobar. According to the Asia-based reporter, there are many developments going on, virtually unreported by the western media, that are chipping away at the dominance of the United States in the world. A Russian-Chinese alliance is forming, which will reach out into Europe through energy and trade relations – and  perhaps … [Read more...]
Carbon Delirium: the hazardous impact of fossil-fuel addiction on American foreign policy
The elites in the U.S. and other “petro-states” have become so addicted to the power and riches brought by fossil fuels, they are blind to their ill effects, argues Michael Klare. As an example he notes the “delusional” idea that increased gas and oil production in North America could somehow influence Vladimir Putin’s behavior towards Ukraine. This addiction, says Klare, must be cured, as it poses a “direct danger to humanity”. … [Read more...]
The Nuclear Power Imperative
As the world’s richest and most innovative economy and second largest source of carbon emissions, the United States should be leading a grand global innovation challenge encompassing the entire range of low-carbon options, including nuclear, argues Richard Lester, Japan Steel Industry Professor and Head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to Lester, climate policy “is about … [Read more...]
The Age of Renewables has begun – as solar power continues to shoot down the cost curve
A new report by investment analysts from Citigroup says that in the US “the Age of Renewables” has begun. This is confirmed by the most recent public announcements from First Solar and SunPower, two of the largest solar power producers in the US, which both continue to see solar costs coming down rapdily. Analysts from McKinsey have become convinced that the developments in the solar power sector will have a seriously disruptive effect on the … [Read more...]
The gas market goes global – and Europe doesn’t see what is coming
Global gas trade is expected to explode – and most of the new supplies will go to Asia. Europe will lose control of markets and pricing and will need to compete at higher Asian prices. That’s the main message energy reporter Rudolf ten Hoedt took away from the Gastech LNG conference in Korea in March where he spoke with leading LNG traders, including market leaders Shell, Qatargas and Tokyo Gas. “Europe doesn’t realise what is coming”, they told … [Read more...]