Writing on The Conversation website, Craig McGregor, Professor in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, discusses how South Africa may be undervaluing a technology particularly well suited to its climate because energy planning focuses too heavily on the cost of generation rather than the value of reliable, dispatchable power. South Africa is overlooking solar … Continue reading The solar technology South Africa can’t afford to ignore
Category: solar power
Batteries: a threat to the grid or the key to its future?
On the Euronews website, Liam Gilliver discusses about a new report that claims that the battery boom could trigger power outages, but experts say the risk is ‘tiny’. Warnings about batteries causing blackouts are overstated, while batteries are becoming essential to making much larger amounts of wind and solar usable. Batteries can save Europe’s … Continue reading Batteries: a threat to the grid or the key to its future?
From parking spaces to power stations
Liam Gilliver writes on the Euronews website about the untapped potential of solar car parks, contrasting countries like France that are mandating them with the UK's decision to step back. Solar car parks are popping up across Europe, but not every country seems to think they’re a smart investment. Solar car parks could cut … Continue reading From parking spaces to power stations
Energy in Demand News, May 3-4, 2026
The big news this week was that more than 50 countries gathered in Colombia to work on trade measures to cut out fossil fuels, as reported below in EiD. The meeting was considered the “coalition of the willing,” and grew out of frustration of the UNFCCC process where there were simply too many fossil fuel … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 3-4, 2026
Blog by Jane Marsh – The fibre optic-energy grid convergence: building smart infrastructure for tomorrow
Energy systems around the world are evolving rapidly as utilities respond to rising demand and the need for real-time control over electricity production and distribution. Traditional grid infrastructure once operated on predictable patterns and one-way energy flow. Now, it faces a more dynamic environment shaped by renewable integration and digital innovation. The role of communication … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – The fibre optic-energy grid convergence: building smart infrastructure for tomorrow
Oil shock, solar boom: how crisis is accelerating the clean energy transition
In an article on The Conversation website, Ray Wills, Adjunct Professor, The University of Western Australia and Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University give a good account of the dynamics of the energy transition. Is oil king again? China’s surging cleantech exports show the opposite is true Over the last two months, nations … Continue reading Oil shock, solar boom: how crisis is accelerating the clean energy transition
Investment in renewables supports Ukraine’s economy and energy future
Nigina Mirbabaeva writes on the EBRD website about new financial support solar and storage in Ukraine by the EBRD and the EU. EBRD and EU strengthen Ukraine’s energy security with new solar energy generation capacity The EBRD provides a US$ 45 million loan to Energy RTB 2 for a solar and storage project The … Continue reading Investment in renewables supports Ukraine’s economy and energy future
Blog by Jane Marsh – The complete solar project life cycle: from land rights to last mile power
The solar project life cycle is central to advancing the zero-carbon energy transition. Yet, its development involves a complex, multistage process. It requires coordination across technical, financial and regulatory domains, each influencing project outcomes in different ways. A clear understanding of the solar project life cycle enables stakeholders to manage risk more effectively and support … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – The complete solar project life cycle: from land rights to last mile power
Energy in Demand News, April 12-13, 2026
EU insurance, pensions and financial regulators have called for the creation of a €10bn to €65bn pool to close the insurance gap for disaster, the Financial Times reports. “As risks continue to grow, insurance coverage for natural catastrophes remains insufficient, leaving individuals, businesses and governments increasingly exposed to financial losses, undermining resilience and recovery efforts,”said … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 12-13, 2026
Is there a more innovative way to finance solar power?
Emily Chung writes on the CBC News website about how Canadian solar firms JCM Power and Stardust Solar are tapping into Africa's solar potential in Malawi. What is fascinating is that the Malawian government pays JCM in Malawian kwachas, which is quite a volatile currency. JCM Power's solution was to invest the kwachas into community … Continue reading Is there a more innovative way to finance solar power?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 