Breakthrough agreement set to accelerate renewable energy rollout across Europe

Renewable energy supplies could surge across Europe following a breakthrough agreement to minimise local opposition to new wind, solar and electricity grid projects, announced this week by the global network of local and regional governments, Local Governments for Sustainability Europe (ICLEI). Development time could be cut significantly for new wind, solar and electricity grid connection … Continue reading Breakthrough agreement set to accelerate renewable energy rollout across Europe →

What the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal means for Europe’s energy transition

The European Commission has unveiled its new strategy to make EU industries more competitive with cheap energy. Does this mean the bloc will go full speed ahead in terms of building more wind farms and solar power plants? Jörg Mühlenhoff looks into what the details of the Clean Industrial Deal mean for Europe’s energy transition … Continue reading What the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal means for Europe’s energy transition →

Energy in Demand News, March 30, 2025

The latest Eurobarometer survey (the European Parliament Winter 2025 Survey), published this week, shows that Europeans “have high expectations from the EU in its role to protect them against global challenges and security risks. Large majorities are looking for an EU that protects them by focussing on security, defence, and the economy. There is wide … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 30, 2025 →

Energy efficiency is crucial for industrial ESG strategies and long-term competitiveness

Energy efficiency is essential in building a strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. With industries responsible for over a third of global energy consumption and related CO₂ emissions, optimizing energy use is no longer just an environmental concern — it’s critical. Thomas Feßl, Business Development Manager at automation supplier COPA-DATA, explores in an article … Continue reading Energy efficiency is crucial for industrial ESG strategies and long-term competitiveness →

“It is extremely important we acknowledge the freeminers and their right to burn coal”

Traditions are traditions. Carmelo Garcia writes on the BBC website that a council in England has pledged to protect the ancient rights of freeminers to burn and mine coal despite concerns over climate change. As one councillor said: "The amount that preserving this heritage contributes to global warming is minuscule, and its heritage importance is therefore … Continue reading “It is extremely important we acknowledge the freeminers and their right to burn coal” →

In Massachusetts, a new pilot project is now seeking households, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and municipal governments to test all of these ways that EVs can send power to the grid

A first-of-its-kind ​“vehicle-to-everything” pilot is giving out 100 free chargers to test how EVs can earn money for sending backup power to the grid. Jeff St. John discusses these developments in an article on the Canary Media website.   How Massachusetts is trying to turn EVs into grid batteries The batteries inside electric vehicles can … Continue reading In Massachusetts, a new pilot project is now seeking households, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and municipal governments to test all of these ways that EVs can send power to the grid →

US Department of Energy has scrapped key energy efficiency standards

A news item on the Energy Live News website discusses the latest moves in Washington to dismantle environmental policies and reduce government intervention. Fans, dehumidifiers and motors are now free from energy efficiency standards. What’s next?   Trump slashes energy efficiency rules The US Department of Energy (DOE) has scrapped key energy efficiency standards, rolling … Continue reading US Department of Energy has scrapped key energy efficiency standards →

New report from Council of European Energy Regulators: Regulatory and Consumer Considerations for Decentralised Energy Opportunities

This week, CEER published its latest report, Regulatory and Consumer Considerations for Decentralised Energy Opportunities, exploring the evolving role of self-consumption, energy sharing, and energy communities in the energy transition. As the deployment of renewables accelerates and electrification reshapes consumption patterns, new decentralised energy models are emerging, presenting both opportunities and challenges for consumers, markets, and … Continue reading New report from Council of European Energy Regulators: Regulatory and Consumer Considerations for Decentralised Energy Opportunities →

The International Energy Agency is facing some pushback from critics

David M. Hart, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, writes on its website about the possible impact of the Trump administration on the IEA. The agency’s mandate has expanded from strengthening energy security to boosting the global clean energy transition, but it is facing pushback from critics who believe this mission undermines … Continue reading The International Energy Agency is facing some pushback from critics →

Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025

Undoubtedly, executives of big companies are as pleased as could be. Many big companies have started to drop climate goals from executive pay plans, as reported by the Financial Times (behind a paywall). For example, the Swiss bank UBS’s annual report this week dropped language that linked executives’ pay to environmental, social and governance goals … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025 →