New EEA report on renewable electricity in Europe’s energy transition

Scaling up renewable electricity sources across the EU could reduce electricity generation costs, improve energy independence, and support the transition towards clean industry, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published this week. At the same time, accelerating the electrification of heating, transport and industry is needed to support Europe’s clean and competitive future. … Continue reading New EEA report on renewable electricity in Europe’s energy transition

Britain’s energy transition: while the government’s priority is energy savings for larger businesses, SMEs typically pay the highest rates for their energy

Sam Hampton, Researcher, Environmental Geography, University of Oxford and Jan Rosenow, Leader of the Energy Programme, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, University of Oxford, write on The Conversation website about plans to cut energy bills for large industry but SMEs are getting no relief. One worries that this could seriously affect the overall economy. … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: while the government’s priority is energy savings for larger businesses, SMEs typically pay the highest rates for their energy

Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

The European Union is making a big effort to decarbonise and to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. One of the options is to expand the use of nuclear energy. However, the Financial Times writes about how complicated it is to reduce dependence on Russia for nuclear fuel: “The EU has 101 nuclear reactors of … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

“Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource”

Rose Morrison writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website about the potential for rain to produce electricity and become another important source of renewable energy.   Harnessing the Power of Rain: A New Frontier in Renewable Energy Generation Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource. Falling water’s kinetic energy is at … Continue reading “Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource”

Energy in Demand News, June 8-9, 2025

Global energy investment is set to increase in 2025 to a record $3.3 trillion despite headwinds from elevated geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, a new IEA report says. Clean energy technologies will attract twice as much capital as fossil fuels. Investment in clean technologies – renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification – is on … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 8-9, 2025

Ocean currents can be converted to electrical power using turbines

The world’s oceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface. They’re filled with currents, some much stronger than the fastest flowing large rivers. These currents can be harnessed as clean, marine renewable energy. Marine energy is much more predictable and reliable than many other forms of renewable energy because unlike sun and wind, which regularly … Continue reading Ocean currents can be converted to electrical power using turbines

The diseconomies of scale: study

Big power plants are more likely to face cost overruns than smaller plants, according to a new study by the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability.The researchers found that the average power plant project costs 40% more to build than expected and misses its target completion date by nearly two years. In an article on the … Continue reading The diseconomies of scale: study

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

Hydro-Québec is launching a new $10 billion plan this week to help Quebecers save electricity

Hélène Baril writes on the La Presse website about the new energy efficiency drive led by Hydro-Québec, the provincial utility. The plan includes free smart thermostats for residential customers but there are also measures for commercial and industrial customers.   Free smart thermostats for everyone The plan, presented as the most ambitious in Hydro-Québec's history, … Continue reading Hydro-Québec is launching a new $10 billion plan this week to help Quebecers save electricity

New insights from US utility programme leaders on disruption and opportunity

Justin Mackovyak writes on the ICF website about a new survey it has undertaken that provides insights on the current state of utility programmes and offers actionable recommendations to help ensure programmes are both flexible and predictable in the face of disruption. Are these results of global significance?   New survey: Utility leaders prioritize energy … Continue reading New insights from US utility programme leaders on disruption and opportunity