Reviewing the issues in the upcoming Swiss referendum on energy

We get so involved in EU energy and climate policies that we often miss out on important developments in neighbouring countries. Le News provides a good assessment of the issues in the upcoming public vote in Switzerland to approve the draft energy act. Some numbers behind the divisive Swiss vote on energy On 21 … Continue reading Reviewing the issues in the upcoming Swiss referendum on energy →

New review of Poland’s energy policies

The International Energy Agency has recently published its 2016 review of Poland’s energy policies and programmes. Energy policy is complicated because of the country’s dependence on domestic coal. While Poland has made some progress on improving energy efficiency and installing renewable energy, it is obvious that much more is needed, even if the IEA’s executive … Continue reading New review of Poland’s energy policies →

Keeping energy affordable and financing the growth of the energy sector are two critical challenges for India

Rangan Banerjee, is Head, Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, provides a good article in the EnergyWorld section of India’s Economic Times to first look at what America is now doing under the new administration and then comparing it to the challenges in meeting India’s long-term energy security. India shouldn't replace … Continue reading Keeping energy affordable and financing the growth of the energy sector are two critical challenges for India →

Turkey: IEA publishes in-depth review of energy policies and programmes

Since the in-depth review in 2009, the International Energy Agency believes Turkey has made significant progress in reforming its energy sector. The report states that completing the reforms will allow Turkey to tap into its renewable and energy efficiency potentials. The review is available as a free download here. Meanwhile, it is good to see … Continue reading Turkey: IEA publishes in-depth review of energy policies and programmes →

Energy transition in Europe includes removing energy-gobbling halogen spotlights

There have been many important improvements in our lighting systems in recent years. Now, as explained by Arthur Neslen in The Guardian, new European ruling bans any new orders on GU10 spotlights and PAR30 floodlights, which can waste up to 10 times more energy than LEDs Halogen spotlights to be phased out across Europe … Continue reading Energy transition in Europe includes removing energy-gobbling halogen spotlights →

Energy transition in Britain is a bumpy road

We are repeatedly reading about problems in the UK with nuclear plans, with the closing of energy efficiency in buildings programmes, in cutbacks in subsidies for renewables. Ian Johnston writes a good article in The Independent, arguing that repeated changes by the government are driving away investors at the dawn of a new era in … Continue reading Energy transition in Britain is a bumpy road →

The energy transition in Britain

It is amazing to read every day about the ups and downs of Britain’s energy policy. There are plans to build 6 nuclear plants by different consortia, using different technologies. Obviously, everyone is reading about the plans for Hinkley Point C and the recent delays to review China’s role. Then we read about how the … Continue reading The energy transition in Britain →

Understanding energy policy in Massachusetts

We often get caught up in our own policy tangles, trying to figure out how to effect the changes that will achieve our long-term goals. It is instructive to see how policies develop elsewhere. John Rogers, a senior energy analyst, writes a very informative blog on the Union of Concerned Scientists website. You should enjoy … Continue reading Understanding energy policy in Massachusetts →

A stark statement on new UK government’s intentions on climate change and energy policy

Everyone is following the developments since Britain voted to leave the EU. New Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that she is merging the Department of Energy and Climate Change with the department responsible for business. Ian Johnston writes in the Independent that it sends a message that she's not remotely bothered about global warming. … Continue reading A stark statement on new UK government’s intentions on climate change and energy policy →

Questions about the energy transition in China

Is there a contradiction in China’s commitment to greater sustainability? Wade Shepard raises the question on the Forbes website about the supposed contradiction between promoting renewable energy – for many environmental benefits – and yet the drive to construct more and more coal-fired power plants. What are your views? If China Is So Committed … Continue reading Questions about the energy transition in China →