Australia has also quietly become a renewable energy powerhouse

While coal and fossil fuels in general have dominated energy policy in Australia, the country more and more has turned to renewable energy. Livia Albeck-Ripka and Ivan Penn explain recent developments in an article on the New York Times website. How Coal-Loving Australia Became the Leader in Rooftop Solar Australia is the world’s second-largest … Continue reading Australia has also quietly become a renewable energy powerhouse →

New report from JRC: Enabling Positive Energy Districts across Europe: energy efficiency couples renewable energy

From an energy perspective, zero or positive energy districts (PED) provide opportunities to achieve cost-effective levels of high-energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. This newly published report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) aims to understand how to handle energy performance targets by moving beyond individual buildings towards a district level. This is a … Continue reading New report from JRC: Enabling Positive Energy Districts across Europe: energy efficiency couples renewable energy →

While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030

While all the world has been watching Germany’s ambitious Energiewende (energy transition), while there have been many improvements there are still many challenges to reach its long-term goals. Recent developments in renewables is described in a news item on the renews.biz website. German renewables hits 'almost 50%' of consumption Renewable energy accounted for 48% … Continue reading While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030 →

What it will take for Africa to go green and disentangle itself from the business of exporting fossil fuels abroad

As Africa develops faster, countries are shifting their focus to investment in renewable energy. The director of the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa explains how the continent can embark on a journey toward a green future. Sam Baker interviewed Mohamed Adow in an article on the Deutsche Welle website 'We are not locked … Continue reading What it will take for Africa to go green and disentangle itself from the business of exporting fossil fuels abroad →

The first assessment of EU National Energy and Climate Plans raise concerns about how targets will be met

A news item on the renews.biz website highlights the challenges the EU has in achieving long-term climate and energy targets. The article only discusses renewable energy but one can imagine the same would hold true for energy efficiency. One would think by now that member states would be giving a higher priority to the energy … Continue reading The first assessment of EU National Energy and Climate Plans raise concerns about how targets will be met →

South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth

It is encouraging to see the positive steps taken by the South Korean government to create its own Green New Deal. The authors, from Australia, state that Australia has much to learn from South Korea’s effort. Maybe we all do. South Korea’s efforts are discussed in an article on the Conversation website. The authors are: … Continue reading South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth →

Guidelines and best practices for micro-, small and medium enterprises in delivering energy-efficient products and in providing renewable energy equipment

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, a study Guidelines and Best Practices for micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in delivering energy-efficient products and in providing renewable energy equipment has been developed by the UN-Economic Commission for Europe. It is described in a UN-ECE press release. UNECE guidance for the energy efficiency and renewables … Continue reading Guidelines and best practices for micro-, small and medium enterprises in delivering energy-efficient products and in providing renewable energy equipment →

The energy transition: most electric utility companies still stuck in old paradigm

We read about the new approaches taken by electric utilities to make a major contribution to our decarbonisation approaches, but recent analysis shows this is true in only a small percentage of utilities. Jillian Ambrose explains in an article on The Guardian website. Only one in 10 utility firms prioritise renewable electricity – global … Continue reading The energy transition: most electric utility companies still stuck in old paradigm →

A team of renewables heavyweights is pushing for a new grid infrastructure to link Europe’s wind and solar resource centres

While doubts remain over linking the continent’s wind and solar resource centres with a brand-new network of superconducting cables, one group is pushing forward for a new grid infrastructure. Jason Deign explains in an article on the Greentech media website. Europe’s Latest Supergrid Plan Could Slash Offshore Wind Transmission Costs A team of renewables … Continue reading A team of renewables heavyweights is pushing for a new grid infrastructure to link Europe’s wind and solar resource centres →

Finding the most cost-effective approach to storing renewable energy

While the UK government is correct that the national grid needs more energy storage to support the shift to further renewable energy generation, a focus on building large, expensive batteries isn’t necessarily the answer. Andrew Cruden, Professor of Energy Technology at the University of Southampton explains in an article on The Conversation website. The … Continue reading Finding the most cost-effective approach to storing renewable energy →