A citizens’ project in France called Bégawatts

First France became the big advocate of négawatts throughout France and Europe and now it brings us Bégawatts, a citizen-led renewable energy initiative eventually grew into a nationwide movement piloted by an association called Energie Partagée (Shared Energy). Heidi Ellison explains in an article on the Sparknews website. In France, harnessing the (renewable) energy … Continue reading A citizens’ project in France called Bégawatts →

Expanding the use of renewable technologies for shipping

Greg Atkinson writes on the Japan Forward website about a new eco ship project to reduce the amount of fuel used for both propulsion and for electrical power. Aquarius Eco Ship Project: Japanese Companies Push for Renewable Energy in Vessels In April this year the International Maritime Organization (IMO) outlined its vision to reduce … Continue reading Expanding the use of renewable technologies for shipping →

Pressure on Samsung leads it to commit to 100% renewable energy

Greenpeace International announced on its website that Samsung Electronics has finally committed to 100 renewable energy in the United States, Europe and China by 2020. This is an important step forward in the energy transition. Global protests push Samsung to commit to 100% renewable energy – Greenpeace Samsung Electronics officially announced today its plan … Continue reading Pressure on Samsung leads it to commit to 100% renewable energy →

Impact of expansion of renewable energy on vulnerable people

We take it for granted that greater deployment of renewables is good for all of us. Ronald Bailey writes on the Reason website that this is not necessarily true, that poor people are actually made poorer in many circumstances. What is your experience? Renewable Energy Mandates Are Making Poor People Poorer Escalating electricity prices … Continue reading Impact of expansion of renewable energy on vulnerable people →

Denmark sets new long-term target for renewables

Last week, Denmark announced that it will set a higher target for renewables and will phase out coal for electricity production. Liz Gykye explains in a news item on the Wind Power Monthly website. Denmark moves to strengthen renewable energy goals The government has announced plans in its new energy policy to require at … Continue reading Denmark sets new long-term target for renewables →

Understanding the benefits in switching to renewable energy

Ben Smee discusses in The Guardian about a new report in Australia that explains what the benefits will be by a shift to renewable energy. Hopefully the energy transition also included significant improvements in energy efficiency. It would be good to know. Shift to renewables would save Australians $20bn a year – report A … Continue reading Understanding the benefits in switching to renewable energy →

Explaining why South Africa’s state owned energy utility should be generating more from renewables

The low-carbon energy transition is not simple. South Africa’s state-owned energy company, Eskom, has largely encouraged the development of coal and nuclear power. Hartmut Winkler, Professor of Physics at the University of Johannesburg, provides good arguments why Eskom should be moving more in the direction of renewables in an article on The Conversation website. … Continue reading Explaining why South Africa’s state owned energy utility should be generating more from renewables →

Don’t forget buildings in the energy transition

There is a great rush to think that if we install enough renewable energy, then our sustainable energy worries are over. They aren’t. Zack Semke, chief marketing officer at NK Architects in Seattle points out in an article on the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce website that building energy efficiency has never been more relevant … Continue reading Don’t forget buildings in the energy transition →

Harvesting kinetic energy

We are always looking for new innovations that will have an important impact in our energy transition. Kitty Knowles writes on the Forbes website about the efforts of Laurence Kemball-Cook to produce electricity as we pound our local pavement. The Tesla Of Smart Cities? Pavegen's On A £5m Mission To Supercharge Your Sidewalks Laurence … Continue reading Harvesting kinetic energy →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Spring thoughts on local energy aggregation: Similarities between the Italian Hera Group and the Community Choice Energy programs in California

In the past three articles, I analyzed several aspects of the Hera Group, its strong dedication to sustainable development, and how the company is advancing energy efficiency in industry. There is one more thing I would like to mention and in particular Hera’s organizational structure and some common features with the Community Choice Energy (CCE) … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Spring thoughts on local energy aggregation: Similarities between the Italian Hera Group and the Community Choice Energy programs in California →