The global energy transition needs bold action

Jennifer Layke, Global Director of the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition writes on the World Resources Institute about what it takes to accelerate the global energy transition. What are your views? 6 Opportunities to Accelerate the Global Energy Transition The way we make and use energy is changing. With prices falling … Continue reading The global energy transition needs bold action →

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 →

AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape

Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes, Initiatives Lead, Artificial Intelligence and Energy, World Economic Forum and Thapelo Tladi, Lead, Energy Initiatives, World Economic Forum write on the WEF website about AI’s opportunities and challenges. What are your views? AI's energy dilemma: Challenges, opportunities, and a path forward The energy demand of data centres, including hyper-scale facilities and micro … Continue reading AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape →

Energy in Demand News, October 21, 2024

The energy transition could proceed more quickly than large US oil producers were hoping, with growing pressure to decommission assets sooner than they expected, a Financial Times newsletter (behind a paywall) reported this week. “In any scenario, they’ll eventually need to pay big clean-up costs around the retirement of each individual fossil fuel site. In … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 21, 2024 →

An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner

Zoltan Nagy, Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, writes on The Conversation website about using a new AI system that helps shift energy use in buildings to times when the electricity grid is cleaner. What are your views? AI helps lighten the load on the electric … Continue reading An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner →

Blueprints for a low energy economy

Is the new UK government prepared to rise to the challenge of investing in energy efficiency measures and reducing the country’s energy use? asks Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation in an article in the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. In recognition of the new Government's determination to deliver … Continue reading Blueprints for a low energy economy →

AI drives 48% increase in Google GHG emissions

The tech giant’s goal of reducing its climate footprint is at risk as it grows increasingly reliant on energy-hungry data centres. Overall, Google says about two thirds of its energy is derived from carbon-free sources but it’s obviously not enough. Dan Milmo discusses Google’s challenges in an article on the Guardian website. Google’s emissions … Continue reading AI drives 48% increase in Google GHG emissions →

Spain’s energy transition: “We need to engage more people and more industries in demand-side management”

Guy Hedgecoe writes on the BBC news website about Spain’s growing renewable energy industry with concerns within the electricity industry caused by an imbalance between supply and demand with, at times, a surplus of electricity. Too much of a good thing? Spain's green energy can exceed demand The patchwork plains of Castilla-La Mancha, in … Continue reading Spain’s energy transition: “We need to engage more people and more industries in demand-side management” →

Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all

Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment. Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, discusses the carbon footprint of ChatGPT in an article on the Guardian website. The ugly … Continue reading Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all →

Importance of reducing energy demand and improving energy efficiency

In an article on The Conversation website, Louis Fletcher, Research Fellow in the Geopolitics of Energy, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick argues for a demand-side approach to energy security. Reducing energy demand and improving efficiency will help prevent the next gas crisis Gas prices have relaxed, Europe has come out of the winter … Continue reading Importance of reducing energy demand and improving energy efficiency →