A new generation of renewable energy cooperatives

Sergi Rombi writes on the Euronews website about REScoop, an impressive network of 3,000 members across Europe. The network is intended to speed up the process of energy transition, by making it easier to meet the EU’s target of 20 percent of the region’s energy being from renewables by 2020. Power to the people … Continue reading A new generation of renewable energy cooperatives →

Traditional utility business models are changing to integrate renewable energy

Nonowerk News reports on a report about how the business models for renewable energy are evolving in the US. Evolving business models for renewable energy The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) announced the release of a groundbreaking report titled Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy. Jointly authored by ACORE members ScottMadden, Sullivan & … Continue reading Traditional utility business models are changing to integrate renewable energy →

The EU subsidy rules: balancing energy and competition objectives?

No one said the energy transition would be easy and it is certainly proving to be true. Alex Barker and Jeevan Vasagar write in the Financial Times about the tug-of-war between Germany and the European Commission over subsidies for renewable energy Germany and EU row over energy subsidies Brussels and Berlin traded barbs on Thursday … Continue reading The EU subsidy rules: balancing energy and competition objectives? →

Criticism in UK over cost of subsidising renewable energy projects

There is growing concerns in many countries about the costs of subsidising renewable energy. Well, there are also concerns about the costs for nuclear but the emphasis these days appears to be on renewable energy as shown in an article by Guy Chazan in the Financial Times. The criticism in this post is a national … Continue reading Criticism in UK over cost of subsidising renewable energy projects →

Taking a community approach to deploying solar systems

How would you like a solar garden? It sounds intriguing. Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about some community efforts in the US for customers to buy into a solar array constructed elsewhere and receive credit on their electricity bills for the power their panels produce. This could be an interesting approach for … Continue reading Taking a community approach to deploying solar systems →

The difficulties in developing clean energy

This article by Gary Brodeur in the Victorville Daily Press in the California highlights the difficulties and frustrations in developing renewable energy projects. Clean energy proving harder to capture than expected As the developer of a solar power plant sweats getting approval by deadline, some nearby residents hope it never gets built at all. It’s … Continue reading The difficulties in developing clean energy →

German renewable energy policy about to change

We have all been following Germany’s energy transition. With the new government coalition we are now seeing some interesting changes to the approach taken, as Bentham Paulos writes on the Greentech website. The next phase of Germany’s energy transition takes competitive markets into account. Will other European countries start making the same move? Germany’s … Continue reading German renewable energy policy about to change →

A high-rise Active House in Germany

Planetsave writes about a new residential building in Franfurt that shows what can be done combining energy efficient measures and solar. It does not state what the consumption per square metre is and it would be good if any EiD readers could let us know. Tallest German Residential High-Rise Will Also Be Solar Aktivhaus … Continue reading A high-rise Active House in Germany →

New global report on renewables

REN21, the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network, has published its 2014 global status report. The Renewables Global Status Report provides a comprehensive and timely overview of renewable energy market, industry, investment and policy developments worldwide. It enables policymakers, industry, investors and civil society to make informed decisions. The report covers recent developments, current status, … Continue reading New global report on renewables →

New Oxfam study shows that Ukraine situation provides a wake-up call for the European Union

The Press Association writes in The Guardian about a new study by Oxfam that calls on EU to end reliance on imported and domestic fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency and boost renewables. Ukraine conflict wake-up call for EU's looming fuel and energy crisis – Oxfam The turmoil in Ukraine should be a wake-up … Continue reading New Oxfam study shows that Ukraine situation provides a wake-up call for the European Union →