Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024

Financing the climate and energy transition is facing ever more difficulties – as I’m sure you see in your own country. At the global level, COP26 in Glasgow approved the Just Energy Transition Partnerships, a  landmark climate finance framework endorsed by world leaders as a way to fund the green transition in poorer countries. However, … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024

This week the European Commission will propose the new level of ambition for GHG emissions reductions it considers necessary for 2040. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) notes that the EU’s climate chief, Wopke Hoekstra, “has warned the bloc must not be lured into a “false narrative” that action against global warming is undermining the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024 →

The German city of Mannheim heats thousands of homes using ice-cold water

River heat pumps?  Mannheim started using one last year.  With the concept gaining ground around the world, Tim Schauenberg writes on the Deutsche Welle website to find out how it works and how it is being used in Mannheim.   Could large heat pumps revolutionize how we warm our homes? Standing in my swimming trunks … Continue reading The German city of Mannheim heats thousands of homes using ice-cold water →

German’s energy transition faces backlash

The right and far-right are taking advantage of growing public concern about measures to climate change, promoted by the Greens. In an article on the Le Monde website, Thomas Wiede discusses latest happenings in German.   Germany's backlash against environmental policies It was Thursday, January 11. For the previous three days, German farmers had been … Continue reading German’s energy transition faces backlash →

Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated

Matthew Taylor writes on the Guardian website about a recent study that shows pollution at Canada’s tar sands vastly exceeds industry-reported levels.   Canadian tar sands pollution is up to 6,300% higher than reported, study finds Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands – already one of the dirtiest fossil fuels – have been dramatically … Continue reading Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated →

Energy in Demand News, January 21, 2024

The EU taxonomy is a cornerstone of the EU’s sustainable finance framework and an important market transparency tool. It is designed to help direct investments to the economic activities most needed for the transition, in line with the European Green Deal objectives. Controversially, nuclear and gas activities are included, prompting legal challenges by some NGOs … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 21, 2024 →

Heat pump sales falling in Europe, risking €7 billion in investments

Despite a strong start, sales of heat pumps have shrunk over the course of 2023, new data from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) shows. After a good first quarter, second and third quarter sales of space and hot water heat pumps are down in Europe. In many countries, sales are also lower than in … Continue reading Heat pump sales falling in Europe, risking €7 billion in investments →

Recent trends in average fuel efficiency of new cars in US

In the US, gasoline-powered cars have stopped making big efficiency gains. Some automakers’ offerings have gotten less efficient as they swap out sedans for SUVs. Nicolás Rivero discusses the energy performance of American cars in an article on the Washington Post website.   Why decades of progress in cars’ fuel efficiency is ending In 2017, … Continue reading Recent trends in average fuel efficiency of new cars in US →

Energy in Demand News, January 14, 2024

EiD welcomes that the IEA published Renewables 2023 this week.  It is encouraging to see that the world  added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022 and next 5 years will see fastest growth yet. The IEA says that the world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 14, 2024 →

Ghana’s energy transition – Ghana’s electricity conundrum

In an article on The Conversation website, Naaborle Sackeyfio, Associate Professor of Global and Intercultural Studies, Miami University discusses the electricity crisis in Ghana and what it will take to put it on a sustainable foundation.   Ghana’s electricity crisis is holding the country back - how it got here For well over a decade … Continue reading Ghana’s energy transition – Ghana’s electricity conundrum →