Cities need to focus on facilitating the energy transition, not focus on 100 per cent renewables

Hundreds of cities are now committing themselves to be 100 per cent on renewables at specified times in the future. Kirby Calvert argues on the Policy Options website that the target is a simple and positive message, but it can unnecessarily confuse the public, fostering a false sense that this market transformation can be driven … Continue reading Cities need to focus on facilitating the energy transition, not focus on 100 per cent renewables →

Scientists hoping that findings from Great Pyramid of Giza can help our energy transition

What secrets do ancient societies have that can help our current concerns? Josh Gabbatiss writes in The Independent that researchers are increasingly convinced that revelations from the pyramids could have technological applications such as creating effective solar cells. What do you think? Great Pyramid of Giza may be able to focus electromagnetic energy through … Continue reading Scientists hoping that findings from Great Pyramid of Giza can help our energy transition →

Better understanding Britain’s energy transition

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a regular contributor to EiD, argues falling energy use should spark a reappraisal in the government's future assumptions and policy priorities. The article first appeared on the Business Green website. So much for 'predict and provide' - UK energy use keeps on falling Last Thursday … Continue reading Better understanding Britain’s energy transition →

London’s “lost” rivers could yield heating and cooling for landmark buildings

The energy transition requires us to explore all energy options. In yesteryear, London had many rivers throughout the city. Many of the rivers now run in covered channels dating from the Georgian and Victorian periods. Mark Bridge writes in The Times about efforts to now use them for heating and cooling. Underground river could heat … Continue reading London’s “lost” rivers could yield heating and cooling for landmark buildings →

India’s energy transition includes important role for cleantech startups

We are regularly reading about the rapid changes that India is undergoing in its energy system. Sushma UN writes on the Quartz website about a clutch of cleantech startups are helping to grapple with the many of the technical difficulties in this transition. Tech startups are helping India’s creaky power sector cope with the renewable … Continue reading India’s energy transition includes important role for cleantech startups →

Japan continues shift to renewable energy

This week we have seen the devastation caused by major flooding. At the timing of writing, over 200 have died and it is considered the worst flooding in 36 years. It is encouraging to see that Japan is taking a sensible long-term perspective in its low-carbon energy transition. A staff report in the Japan Times … Continue reading Japan continues shift to renewable energy →

Government-appointed commission is to take responsibility for planning the Germany’s exit from coal

No one said the energy transition would be easy. Germany, which has taken many steps forward in its low-carbon energy transition, still has much to do. No other country burns as much lignite as Germany. The government has appointed 31 individuals, including trade unionists, employers, scientists, environmentalists and people who live in areas where coal … Continue reading Government-appointed commission is to take responsibility for planning the Germany’s exit from coal →

Mixed signals for India’s energy transition

EiD has provided many posts on the energy transition developments in India. Sushma UN writes on the Quartz India website that the banking sector are backing coal-based power projects. India wants more renewables, but its banks are pouring billions into coal Even as the Narendra Modi government pushes for renewable energy, Indian financiers are backing … Continue reading Mixed signals for India’s energy transition →

New development to remove carbon from atmosphere and turn it into a fuel

We are seeing energy transition innovations in many areas. Bob Weber from The Canadian Press writes on the National News Watch website about a new process to remove carbon from the atmosphere for one-third the cost of other companies working on the same technology. What are your views? Looking to the sky: B.C. company … Continue reading New development to remove carbon from atmosphere and turn it into a fuel →

Canada’s growing challenge to achieve its climate obligations

A country that has based its economy on exploiting resources – including fossil fuels – will never have an easy time in the low-carbon energy transition. Markus Hecker, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Predictive Aquatic Toxicology at the University of Saskatchewan and Jackie Dawson from the University of Ottawa write on The Conversation website … Continue reading Canada’s growing challenge to achieve its climate obligations →