American wind energy generation has outpaced the growth in new wind power capacity thanks to innovative technological advancements, reports the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Over the past five years, U.S. wind energy capacity grew from 25,000 megawatts (MW) to over 61,000 MW, a 140 percent growth rate, yet electricity generated from these wind turbines grew at a rate of 200 percent, exceeding capacity growth and making wind energy … [Read more...]
World Energy Outlook hides the real potential of renewables
The IEA’s annual World Energy Outlook (WEO) is seen as the most authoritative set of energy scenarios in the world. Yet when we test the forecasts for the growth of renewable energies in the WEO’s main scenario against reality, we find that the WEO consistently comes out too low. Each year from 2006 on the WEO has had to increase its forecast for wind and solar power. Yet each year the WEO predicts the growth of renewables to level off by 2020, … [Read more...]
WWF: Action required now to ensure supply of critical materials for renewable energy infrastructure
The growing demand for renewable energy could put pressure on the supply of critical materials required in the production of renewable energy infrastructure, says WWF in new report released on 18 February. The report, Critical Materials for the transition to a 100% sustainable energy future, says supply chain bottlenecks can be overcome by applying the right technologies. It is possible for renewable energy to fuel the world reliably while … [Read more...]
An investor speaks: the oil party is almost over
The fact that environmental activist Bill McKibben is waging a relentless “fossil fuel divestment campaign” may not worry established oil and coal companies too much. But he is joined by an increasing number of mainstream investors and analysts. The latest investor to warn that fossil fuel assets may be overvalued is the famous hedge fund manager Jeremy Grantham, owner of the major US asset-management firm GMO. In a thoughtful piece for the GMO … [Read more...]
HSBC: EU’s new climate policy unambitious, bad news for renewables
Europe’s climate policy proposals reflect the lowest level of ambition required to keep global warming at 2°C, while its goals on renewable energy are “disappointing” and bad news for the industry, according to a new report by banking giant HSBC. The report also sees “increasing downside risks” for offshore wind. Sophie Vorrath of Reneweconomy.com.au has the story. … [Read more...]
EU’s global cleantech leadership at risk
The EU still leads the world in clean energy technologies, but for how long? In 2012, 70% of new wind power capacity and 40% of new photovoltaic panels were installed outside Europe. Brussels has shied away from new national renewables targets in its 2030 climate and energy proposals. It is preparing fresh rules on state aid that will disadvantage less mature technologies such as offshore wind and solar PV. And the EU internal energy market … [Read more...]
Wind power will keep growing despite poor infrastructure
With wind power technology gaining increased popularity and institutional support from across the world, the wind turbine towers market is expected to increase from $12.1 billion in 2013 to $19.3 billion by 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9%, says a new report from research and consulting firm GlobalData. According to the company’s report*, China had the largest amount of wind turbine towers installed in 2013, reaching a … [Read more...]
Interview: David Walker, CEO DNV GL-Energy : “Renewable industry should drive down costs”
Renewable energy has the future, but the industry has to do all it can to drive down costs. Technologies like offshore wind and energy storage, but also smaller scale renewables, are still “quite expensive”, says David Walker, CEO of DNV GL-Energy, one of the four business units of DNV GL, the new certification and consultancy giant that emerged last year out of the merger between DNV of Norway, GL of Germany and KEMA of the Netherlands. Walker, … [Read more...]
M&A activity in renewables keeps growing
M&A activity in the global power and renewables sectors is expected to pick up this year, after the value of deals fell by 10 percent in 2013, according to a new research report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Total worldwide power and renewables 2013 deal value was down 10% year on year, reported PWC. But the Asia Pacific region and the renewables sector bucked the trend. Renewables deal value rose 25% the value of Asia Pacific deals was up … [Read more...]
Irena and Abu Dhabi invest in renewable energy projects
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) have announced approximately $41 million in concessional loans for renewable energy projects in developing countries. The financed projects have a combined total capacity of 35 MW and will bring reliable and sustainable power to rural communities that are currently lacking access to modern energy services. The loans go to a geographically diverse set … [Read more...]
Global clean energy investment falls for second consecutive year
Clean Energy Pipeline, the online daily financial news and data service dedicated to the clean energy sector, on 16 January released its preliminary analysis of venture capital, private equity, project finance, mergers and acquisitions and public markets activity during 4Q13 and 2013. New investment in the global clean energy sector totalled $58.2 billion in 4Q13, a 15% increase on the $50.7 billion invested in 3Q13 but a 21% decrease on the … [Read more...]
China and US largest markets for wind turbines
China will remain the leading global consumer of wind turbine rotor blades over the coming years, with its market value expected to increase from almost $2 billion in 2012 to $3.7 billion by 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.2%, according to a new report from research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest report, "Wind Turbine Rotor Blades – Global Market Size, Average Price, Competitive Landscape and Key … [Read more...]
Saudi Arabia launches Renewable Resource Atlas
With the launch in December of its online Renewable Resource Atlas, Saudi Arabia has taken an important step into bringing its ambitious renewable energy plans closer to realisation. The Atlas will provide developers of solar power (and later also wind power, geothermal heat and waste-to-energy) comprehensive, reliable data on which to base project bids. Heba Hashem of CSP Today reports. … [Read more...]
The greatest business opportunity of our time
Amory Lovins, the founder of the famous Rocky Mountain Institute in Colorado, has written a book in which he presents an energy future without coal, oil or nuclear power. Yet he insists his is not a green or left-wing vision. On the contrary, it will save money and create wealth. “The energy transformation is the greatest business opportunity of our time.” … [Read more...]
The UK energy confusion: good policies, shame about the politics
To outside observers, UK energy policy must seem to be hopelessly confused and the energy sector in a mess. Actually, the problem is not so much the policies, writes Stephen Tindale, associate fellow at the Centre for European Reform. They make a lot of sense and may lead the country to a secure and low-carbon energy future. The problem is the politics – populist proposals create confusion and may undo the good work that is being done. Earlier … [Read more...]