Energy in Demand News, February 2, 2025

Who would have guessed? Norway’s coalition government has collapsed because of the EU’s energy efficiency directive, energy performance of buildings directive and renewable energy directive! The Eurosceptic junior coalition partner quit after the Prime Minister pushed to implement the energy directives.  Norway (which is not a member of the European Union) adopts most of the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 2, 2025

Upcoming event: World Sustainable Energy Days, European Energy Efficiency Conference, 6-7 March 2025

In 2025, the European Energy Efficiency Conference will show how to gain momentum and present policies, programmes and innovation to reach our goals together. The event is part of the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED), a leading annual conference on the energy transition and climate neutrality with over 650 participants from more than 60 countries. … Continue reading Upcoming event: World Sustainable Energy Days, European Energy Efficiency Conference, 6-7 March 2025

The shift to renewable energy in Africa must be a just transition

In an article on The Conversation website, Oyeniyi Abe, Research partner: Centre for Comparative Law, University of Cape Town and Victor Azubike, Assistant Professor in Law, University of Huddersfield discuss that the justice dimension must be included in energy policies in African countries. Readers should note that the New York Times (behind a paywall) reports … Continue reading The shift to renewable energy in Africa must be a just transition

Data centres and the energy storage solution

In an article on the Clean Technica website, Tina Casey discusses the on-going issue of growing energy consumption for data centres and the possible energy storage solution. The concern is that by some estimates, data centre energy demands are projected to consume as much as 9% of US annual electricity generation by the year 2030. … Continue reading Data centres and the energy storage solution

Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities

A new modelling study estimates 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths unless urgent action is taken to address changing climate. The study is discussed in a news item on the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine website.   Climate study: Rise in heat deaths will substantially outweigh fewer cold deaths A modelling study, led by … Continue reading Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities

Worries of backtracking of EU’s green agenda

There is another post this weekend on the EC’s Competitive Compass. Marianne Gros wrote on the Politico website earlier in the week and this is good background for EiD readers. Brussels hopes simplifying green compliance rules will boost Europe’s flagging economy. Green groups fear something more sinister.   Von der Leyen builds bonfire of EU’s … Continue reading Worries of backtracking of EU’s green agenda

It’s not clear that Heathrow Airport expansion can fit within the UK’s legal and arguably moral requirement to cut emissions and remain within its carbon budget

Richard Sulley, Senior Research Fellow, Sustainability Policy, University of Sheffield writes on The Conversation website about the impact of expanding the UK’s largest airport on government commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Since this was published, the UK government has given the green light to the construction of the third runway at Heathrow with considerable mixed … Continue reading It’s not clear that Heathrow Airport expansion can fit within the UK’s legal and arguably moral requirement to cut emissions and remain within its carbon budget

Energy consumption is only one part of AI’s broader environmental impact

In an article on The Conversation website, Hamish van der Ven, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources, University of British Columbia, argues that social and political mediums through which AI affects the planet are far more insidious and, arguably, more consequential for the future of humanity.   AI is bad for the … Continue reading Energy consumption is only one part of AI’s broader environmental impact

New report questions IEA’s focus on the global energy transition

Valerie Volcovici writes on the Reuters website about a new report from National Center for Energy Analytics that critcises the IEA’s approach to the energy transition. The NCEA is a US-based national energy think tank. What are your views?   IEA comes under pressure from former oil market chief to cut energy transition focus The … Continue reading New report questions IEA’s focus on the global energy transition

The EC’s Competitive Compass plots a course for policymakers to follow over the next five years

This week the Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass, the first major initiative of this mandate providing a strategic and clear framework to steer the Commission's work. The Compass sets a path for Europe to become the place where future technologies, services, and clean products are invented, manufactured, and put on the market, while being the … Continue reading The EC’s Competitive Compass plots a course for policymakers to follow over the next five years