Activity on grid big data

Katie Fehrenbacher writes in the Washington Post about actions that are supporting the building of smart grids. This article is about a partnership in Sweden that could provide some valuable experience about managing data. European power giant E.ON partners with Ericsson on grid big data European power giant E.ON is building out a smarter … Continue reading Activity on grid big data →

Is importing waste the solution?

John Tagliabue writes in the New York Times about the efforts underway to ensure there is sufficient waste for Oslo’s cogeneration plants. A City That Turns Garbage Into Energy Copes With a Shortage This is a city that imports garbage. Some comes from England, some from Ireland. Some is from neighboring Sweden. It even has … Continue reading Is importing waste the solution? →

CHP in Spain suffering by lack of adequate policy framework

The Gas to Power Journal has recently reported that the Spanish Cogeneration Association (Acogen) is quite concerned that cogeneration will suffer unless there are new energy efficiency measures in place to ensure that the full potential for cogeneration capacity is achieved. It also states that the current Emissions Trading System is “harmful for CHP.” … Continue reading CHP in Spain suffering by lack of adequate policy framework →

Hydrogen moves closer towards centre stage

Emily Dugan writes in The Independent about new scientific breakthroughs that make the use of hydrogen as a clean and cheap power source much more feasible. Interestingly, DG Energy of the European Commission is now getting more active in considering hydrogen as a strong option. These are positive steps forward. Science moves step closer to … Continue reading Hydrogen moves closer towards centre stage →

How energy developments are shaking things up

John Tagliabue writes in the New York Times about the effects of the extraction of natural gas in the northern regions of The Netherlands. This is from normal extraction and not from fracking, which is increasingly popular in many countries. Many are feeling the effects on communities is a high price to pay for the … Continue reading How energy developments are shaking things up →

Showing how an all-renewable approach is feasible.

Mark Diesendorf recently wrote in The Conversation on how renewables can provide all needed electricity. Much of the argument concerns the need for baseload demand. This is an interesting article, well worth reading. Why 100 per cent renewables is possible... and affordable The future of civilisation and much biodiversity hangs to a large degree … Continue reading Showing how an all-renewable approach is feasible. →

Tribute well deserved

In our hectic daily lives, we get caught up in the priorities of the day, meeting deadlines, arguing with bosses or colleagues, just trying to cope. One day this week offered a wonderful opportunity to leave all that aside to listen and to think, and in a rare treat, to reflect along with many of the … Continue reading Tribute well deserved →

How big a problem is there in measuring floor area?

Tanya Powley writes in the Financial Times about the discrepancies in measuring the floor area in residential buildings in the UK. The discrepancy can be 10 to 15%. While it seriously affects valuation of properties, it can also impact on the UK’s total floor area, an indicator used in developing its buildings energy performance strategies. … Continue reading How big a problem is there in measuring floor area? →

Is renewable energy planning in Europe over regulated?

Geoffrey McLatchey from the Competitive Enterprise Institute provides a provocative article in The Commentator on the planning ideology for renewable energy in Europe. European renewable energy: Seeds of central planning The “ends justify the means” ideology surrounding the climate debate is certainly a dangerous game to play when government enters the equation. As European environmental … Continue reading Is renewable energy planning in Europe over regulated? →

Focus on energy subsidies

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently released advice on Energy Subsidy Reform. Robin Harding wrote an excellent article on the issue for the Financial Times. IMF signals push to scrap energy subsidies The world could solve a large part of its fiscal problems by scrapping $1.9tn* in energy subsidies, the International Monetary Fund said … Continue reading Focus on energy subsidies →