Nasa is corralling companies to demonstrate improved ways to power aircraft via batteries rather than jet fuel

It is encouraging that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) in the US is organizing demonstration tests of electric propulsion. It turns out Nasa has been working on electric planes for the past decade and it is good to see the demonstrations now starting. Oliver Milman discusses latest developments in an article on the … Continue reading Nasa is corralling companies to demonstrate improved ways to power aircraft via batteries rather than jet fuel →

Climate change: “We see a growing gap between the rhetoric and what is happing in the energy markets”

The International Energy Agency says massive investment shift is needed in the next decade to get to net zero in 2050. Steven Mufson discusses the recent IEA study in an article on the Washington Post website. A ‘narrow’ pathway to a net zero future for greenhouse gases, IEA says To limit climate change, by … Continue reading Climate change: “We see a growing gap between the rhetoric and what is happing in the energy markets” →

Germany’s energy transition: government reacts to pressure from climate activists and chastened by its highest court

The proposed 2030 climate change targets for Germany are a "gigantic" task that will push the export-reliant economy to hasten its phase-out of coal-fired power plants and cars that run on fossil fuels. Ajit Niranjan discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Germany's more ambitious climate goals pressure industry to … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition: government reacts to pressure from climate activists and chastened by its highest court →

Building smart solar developments on canals in California could bring many benefits

While there have been solar panels installed over canals before in other countries, two academics explain how they could provide many benefits to California’s climate change objectives. Roger Bales, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, at the University of California, Santa Cruz discuss the benefits … Continue reading Building smart solar developments on canals in California could bring many benefits →

Ignore hype over hydrogen heating, UK government told

Hydrogen power should be reserved for powering aircraft and large factories, say experts, dashing hopes gas industry could pivot to piping hydrogen into homes. Madeleine Cuff discusses latest developments in an article on the inews website. End of the road for gas boilers? Researchers give thumbs down to hydrogen heating New research has poured … Continue reading Ignore hype over hydrogen heating, UK government told →

It’s time for another generation of cooling equipment that is much gentler on the climate system

Scott Denning, Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University writes on The Conversation website about efforts in the US to eliminate hydrofluorocarbons used as coolants in refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps. How cleaning up coolants can cool the climate – why HFCs are getting phased out from refrigerators and air conditioners The U.S. … Continue reading It’s time for another generation of cooling equipment that is much gentler on the climate system →

Bold new initiative from European Commission to address carbon emissions

Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation writes about a bold initiative to meet head on the inherent trade incompatibility caused by unpriced emissions from companies outside Europe. The column was in the May 2021 issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. The EU’s new tool to create a level playing field … Continue reading Bold new initiative from European Commission to address carbon emissions →

“We should get net zero right – not get rid”

There have been lots of discussions recently about the concept of net zero emissions. Some have been criticised for misinterpreting it. Some feel it is not a good concept at all. Richard Black, Honorary Research Fellow, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London; Steve Smith, Executive Director, Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford; and Thomas Hale, Associate … Continue reading “We should get net zero right – not get rid” →

Upcoming events in June

Here are three important not-to-be-missed events in June. eceee summer study – June 7-11 eceee’s bi-annual summer study is coming June 7-11, this year as a virtual event. The theme is “A New Reality” which definitely seems appropriate in this pandemic environment. There is an increasingly urgent climate crisis, and we simply can’t go … Continue reading Upcoming events in June →