Solar mystery from early 20th century

In article on The Conversation website, Sugandha Srivastav, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, Environmental Economics at the University of Oxford unravels a mystery “what if.” You should enjoy this little-known story.   If the first solar entrepreneur hadn’t been kidnapped, would fossil fuels have dominated the 20th century the way they did? One argument put forward … Continue reading Solar mystery from early 20th century

High temperatures to affect France’s nuclear energy output

Euronews provides a news item on its website about the concerns in France that the high temperatures is affecting water quality in rivers and this will have an impact on its nuclear energy output. With France wanting to build new nuclear power plants in the future, leaving aside the question whether they should be built … Continue reading High temperatures to affect France’s nuclear energy output

France will reach the level of electricity consumption expected in 2050 as early as 2030-2035

Assuming France achieves its decarbonisation and reindustrialisation targets, electricity consumption could rise to 580-640 TWh by 2035, equivalent to what the grid operator had forecasted for 2050 in its “Future Energy 2050” report published at the end of 2021. In an article on the EURACTIV website, Paul Messad discusses the recent report from France’s electricity … Continue reading France will reach the level of electricity consumption expected in 2050 as early as 2030-2035

A strategy to unleash the green energy potential of vacant space in towns and cities should begin – and not end – with car parks

Dylan Ryan, Lecturer in Mechanical & Energy Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University writes on The Conversation website about the benefits of a wider programme to see solar panels installed not only on parking lots but also on derelict or vacant lots. What do you think?   France’s plan for solar panels on all car parks … Continue reading A strategy to unleash the green energy potential of vacant space in towns and cities should begin – and not end – with car parks

Many benefits but expanding solar power in Africa also brings some risks

In an article on The Conversation website, Ben Radley, Lecturer in International Development at the University of Bath provides a thoughtful consideration about risks of financialisation and rising inequality in some models of renewables rollout in Africa.   Expanded access to solar power in Africa can stimulate economic development – but there are risks UN … Continue reading Many benefits but expanding solar power in Africa also brings some risks

Addressing how to achieve ‘net-zero’

A new report by Nick Eyre and Jan Rosenow reiterates that energy and carbon are different problems requiring different solutions. Lloyd Alter writes on the Treehugger website what their report means as we address ‘net-zero.’   Reinventing Energy Efficiency in a Net-Zero World For nigh on 50 years since the Arab oil embargo, energy security … Continue reading Addressing how to achieve ‘net-zero’

One of the important levers to curb carbon emissions is improved energy efficiency

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schneider Electric makes a strong case for improving energy efficiency in our drive to address climate change in an article for the World Economic Forum on the European Sting website. Do you agree?   Why energy efficiency is the unsung hero of the fight against climate change … Continue reading One of the important levers to curb carbon emissions is improved energy efficiency

Flagship DNV report says energy efficiency remains the biggest opportunity to tackling climate change as the world drifts further away from achieving Paris climate agreement

DNV’s annual Energy Transition Outlook presents the results from their independent model of the world’s energy system. It covers the period through to 2050 and forecasts the energy transition globally and in 10 world regions. An article on the evwind website provides a good commentary on the report.   Electrification Not Enough to Meet Net … Continue reading Flagship DNV report says energy efficiency remains the biggest opportunity to tackling climate change as the world drifts further away from achieving Paris climate agreement

There is currently limited evidence for a quick transition to renewables in Africa

Galina Alova and Philipp Trotter of the University of Oxford write on The Conversation website about how they see the energy transition unfolding in Africa. Worryingly, it is going to be difficult to transition to renewable energies. Renewables represent only 10 % of Africa’s electricity production and even though they will significantly expand this decade, … Continue reading There is currently limited evidence for a quick transition to renewables in Africa

Energy efficiency provides a near-immediately deployable solution in the drive for electrification

The electrification transformation continues to gain steam as all customer segments adopt electric technologies to lower their utility bills, engage with newly developed and efficient technologies, access plug-and-play ease of use, and reduce negative environmental impacts, writes Jessie Mehrhoff, a research analyst contributing to Guidehouse Insights’ DER Solutions service on the Smart Energy International website. … Continue reading Energy efficiency provides a near-immediately deployable solution in the drive for electrification