Wind farms bring unexpected benefits to German coasts

This article by Madeline Chambers of Reuters explains some of the unexpected non-energy benefits to Germany’s North Sea coasts. It would be interesting to know what other non-energy benefits are coming from renewable energy projects. Wind farms to lure back German lobsters decimated by WW2 New wind farms off Germany's North Sea coast will … Continue reading Wind farms bring unexpected benefits to German coasts →

Number of the week – 400

Kiley Kroh provides the following data in Climate Progress In terms of total solar power capacity per capita, Germany crushes every other country. At the end of 2012, it had approximately 400 MW of solar power capacity per million people, considerably more than #2 Italy at 267 MW per million people, #3 Belgium at 254 … Continue reading Number of the week – 400 →

Concerns about how sustainable the solar industry is

David Ferris, a journalist who writes often for Forbes, Sierra magazine and the New York Times, provided an interesting article in The Guardian about the struggle that solar manufacturers have to survive and what the impact means on sustainability. Sustainability and the solar industry Is sustainability losing momentum in the solar industry? The commitment of solar … Continue reading Concerns about how sustainable the solar industry is →

German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy

Dr. Matthias Lang and Prof. Dr. U. Mutschler write in Environmental Politics and Renewable about consumer acceptance of the energy transition underway in Germany. The article quotes Holger Krawinkel of VZBZ, a good friend of EiD and a former member of the board of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee). VZBZ: … Continue reading German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy →

Crowdfunding playing an ever-increasing role

Sophie Yeo writes on the RTCC (Responding to Climate Change) website about the funds already raised in the UK for clean energy projects. One gets the impression that crowdfunding is going to play an increasing role in years to come. UK crowdfunding raises £3m for clean energy projects Crowdfunding is providing the financial impetus … Continue reading Crowdfunding playing an ever-increasing role →

Renewable energy’s impact on transmission and distribution

The editors of Electric Light & Power provide an excellent assessment of the impact of renewable energy on Europe’s transmission system. It also stresses the importance of trans-border interconnections. Demand for renewable energy will drive Europe transmission market A rising demand for electricity and growing environmental concerns across Europe is leading countries to look for … Continue reading Renewable energy’s impact on transmission and distribution →

Looking to Europe and Algeria for inspiration and innovation

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California is fully committed to pushing for a clean energy future. While he knows innovation made the US great, he is worried that it is falling behind. He said he could not help but be jealous in Algiers and Brussels. As he said, “They have a vision, and they are … Continue reading Looking to Europe and Algeria for inspiration and innovation →

Utilities are starting to wince

Diane Cardwell provides an excellent article in the New York Times about how electric utilities are starting to be concerned about the growing number of solar panels and what it means for their business. It will be important to watch how this evolves and whether this same backlash will come to Europe. On Rooftops, a … Continue reading Utilities are starting to wince →

Quote of the week

This quote is from the German embassy website in UK concerning the country’s “Energiewende” (energy transition) “Germany aims to generate its energy supply primarily from renewables by 2050. This requires the fundamental restructuring of the energy supply system. This process is a fundamental ethical and cultural decision that offers the unique opportunity to show the world how competitiveness … Continue reading Quote of the week →

UK promotes heat from renewable energy

Jasveer Matharu, who has recently started an MSc in Consumer Psychology, provided a short summary of the proposal to raise the tariffs under the Renewable Heat Incentive. This is an important financial measure that could encourage other EU countries to do the same. UK Government’s proposal to raise the Renewable Heat Incentive Tariffs The UK’s … Continue reading UK promotes heat from renewable energy →