Category: energy policy

‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK

Steve Hawkes writes in The Telegraph about the change in definition of fuel poverty that will remove up to one million people from being considered fuel poor. Is this a good move or not? Campaigners certainly do not think so.   Government takes 1m out of fuel poverty - by changing the rules Campaigners criticised … Continue reading ‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK →

Shale gas and US climate change policy

There has been much written on the shale gas revolution in the US. The reaction globally borders between horror and envy. This article by Eric Reguly of Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper is important for providing a good analysis of what this shale gas brings to Obama’s climate change policy ambitions. No doubt it still … Continue reading Shale gas and US climate change policy →

Need to reconsider our use of coal

We know that coal is not a sustainable energy source but it is still widely used, even in Europe.  John Vidal writes in the Guardian about the serious impact coal pollution is having on health today in Europe.  Interestingly, the Toronto Star reports that Ontario coal plants emit arsenic and chromium (which cause cancer); sulphur … Continue reading Need to reconsider our use of coal →

Matthew Ulterino: View from the Renewable Energy World/Power-Gen Europe Conference (Vienna, 4-6 June 2013)

  Matthew Ulterino attended the Renewable Energy World/Power-Gen Europe Conference that was held recently.  These are his impressions from the plenary session followed by a summary and abstract of the paper he delivered. Plenary Session – Liberalisation and Decarbonisation: Roadmap or Roadblock? One of the main conference highlights was a plenary panel that was assembled … Continue reading Matthew Ulterino: View from the Renewable Energy World/Power-Gen Europe Conference (Vienna, 4-6 June 2013) →

Renewables in a smart world

Christine Hertzog, managing director of Smart Grid Library, recently wrote in The Energy Collective about the full range of issues that has to be explored in considering the future electricity fuel mix in the US.  As natural gas and renewables become headline policy themes, it is useful do some comparisons.   Renewable Energy and the … Continue reading Renewables in a smart world →

Clean energy in Europe faces the market

Stanley Reed wrote in the New York Times about some of the pressing market issues facing the clean energy transition in Europe.  As the article ends, “Sounding the alarm about greenhouse gases and global warming is fine, but money is required to do something about the problem. And it is not likely to be forthcoming … Continue reading Clean energy in Europe faces the market →

New considerations of shale gas

Nick Butler wrote an excellent blog in the Financial Times that brings some start messages.  He firmly believes that the shale “revolution” is real and not going away.  He warns the climate change lobby will have to adapt.  Is he right?  He certainly puts a good case forward for starting from a point of reality.  … Continue reading New considerations of shale gas →

Reflecting on bitumen oil in Canada

Jeffrey Simpson, one of Canada’s foremost columnists, writes in the Globe and Mail about the politics and sad state of affairs the government has got itself in over promoting its tar sands.  While this is a Canadian perspective, it is important for those outside Canada to see the “sea of troubles” as Simpson aptly writes. … Continue reading Reflecting on bitumen oil in Canada →

EBRD considers keeping coal option open

Terry Macalister writes in The Guardian about the efforts of senior management at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to keep coal from being caught in the ideological energy and climate change battles.  Affordability is one of the main arguments.   European energy chief puts forward case for funding coal EBRD chief Riccardo Puliti … Continue reading EBRD considers keeping coal option open →