Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025

What a way to start the week. Shortly after noon on Monday April 28th, Spain’s electricity grid suddenly and unexpectedly lost 15 GW of power—equivalent to 60% of its national demand. The massive drop caused most of the country’s electricity system to shut down, followed by much of neighbouring Portugal’s. There has been much comment … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025 →

Understanding the recent Iberian blackout

In an article on The Conversation website, J. Guillermo Sánchez León, Instituto Universitario de Física Fundamental y Matemáticas (IUFFyM), Universidad de Salamanca tries to explain what actually happened and the lessons that need to be learned from this blackout. Unsurprisingly, there has been much written on this blackout. You may want to read the … Continue reading Understanding the recent Iberian blackout →

Our energy and climate transition: are people’s minds really made up? Or are they still open to change?

In an article on The Conversation website, the authors ask many pertinent questions on our attitudes and behaviour related to addressing climate change. The survey they undertook was in Australia. The authors are: Kelly Kirkland, Research Fellow in Psychology, The University of Queensland; Abby Robinson, PhD candidate in Social Psychology, The University of Melbourne; Amy … Continue reading Our energy and climate transition: are people’s minds really made up? Or are they still open to change? →

While batteries have been around for decades, researchers are still trying to fully understand how these batteries behave

In an article on The Conversation website, Emmanuel Olugbade, Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology writes about the complexity of battery management, which is becoming increasingly important as we become more and more dependent on batteries. Why predicting battery performance is like forecasting traffic − and how researchers are … Continue reading While batteries have been around for decades, researchers are still trying to fully understand how these batteries behave →

How to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet

With the earth passing 1.5 degrees Celsius of heating in 2024, and recent natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, artists and researchers were asked for the Songlines Magazine website how to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet. What Can Musicians and Music Lovers Do During a Climate Crisis? Charis McGowan … Continue reading How to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet →

The importance of leaders and other high-profile people visibly leading by example, demonstrating commitment and helping to establish new social norms

In an article on The Conversation website, Sam Hampton, Researcher, Environmental Geography, University of Oxford and Tina Fawcett, Associate Professor, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford discuss what it takes to encourage climate action. They argue that public willingness to make sacrifices for climate action is closely tied to perceptions of fairness and necessity. Furthermore … Continue reading The importance of leaders and other high-profile people visibly leading by example, demonstrating commitment and helping to establish new social norms →

With global climate leadership at risk, China has the chance to step up

In an article on The Conversation website, Yixian Sun, Associate Professor in International Development, University of Bath, argues that with the US in retreat from climate action and Europe preoccupied by security challenges, new leadership is urgently needed. What are your views? The world needs climate change leadership – it’s time for China to … Continue reading With global climate leadership at risk, China has the chance to step up →

UK Opposition leader is on record as backing the need for net zero, so why is she now back-tracking on previous commitments?

In a column for the April issue of Energy in Buildings and Industry, Andrew Warren, who chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, and is a friend of EiD, analyses why Kemi Badenoch, leader has suddenly changed her views on the importance of Britain achieving its net zero emissions target, dismissing the OECD’s conclusions of how … Continue reading UK Opposition leader is on record as backing the need for net zero, so why is she now back-tracking on previous commitments? →

New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency

It makes more sense for your wallet and the climate to continue using and repairing older household appliances. This is according to a study commissioned by the German Federal Environment Agency. Stefan Krempl discusses the findings of the report in an article on the heise online website. Energy efficiency: buying new household appliances is … Continue reading New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency →

New EEA assessment on impacts of PFAS polymers in Europe

The widespread use of PFAS polymers in everything from consumer products to green technologies can lead to contamination of water, air, soil, food and people. A European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published this week, says that these chemicals can also contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. What are the impacts of PFAS polymers … Continue reading New EEA assessment on impacts of PFAS polymers in Europe →