Energy in Demand News, August 16-17, 2026

The Financial Times, a newspaper of record for business and politics, has become almost passionate about climate change. “Even now, when weather records are being broken, when climate change is demonstrably here, not in the future, we seem frozen. We still go about our carbon-greedy lives: snapping up the last air-conditioning unit, booking another flight, … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 16-17, 2026

Can solar farms feed both AI and us?

In an article on The Conversation website, Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University, discusses the apparent conflict between AI’s huge electricity appetite and protecting farmland, with agrivoltaics offering a way to solve both problems.   ‘Agrivoltaics’ can both power AI data centres and increase food … Continue reading Can solar farms feed both AI and us?

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, August 2-3, 2026

Frank Elderson, a member of the European Central Bank’s executive board, told the Guardian that the  climate emergency and the breakdown of nature poses a dramatically growing risk to the global economy. He said it was clear the rising frequency of natural disasters linked to global heating poses a threat to financial stability. “Nature-related risks … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 2-3, 2026

Making solar power available on demand

In an article on The Conversation website, Vera Moerbeek, Doctorante en physique, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS); Université de Perpignan Via Domitia writes about the next generation of energy storage: thermal batteries using thermophotovoltaics (TPV) that could make solar power dispatchable without relying on lithium-ion batteries. What are your views?   How next‑generation … Continue reading Making solar power available on demand

South Africa’s energy transition: national electricity utility faces reality

In an article on The Conversation website, Angela van der Berg, Director of the Global Environmental Law Centre; Associate Professor Department of Public Law & Jurisprudence, University of the Western Cape writes about a court decision that is solidly behind renewables.   South Africa’s power utility Eskom tried to block a gold mine from going … Continue reading South Africa’s energy transition: national electricity utility faces reality

Energy in Demand News, January 25-26, 2026

The Financial Times reported this week that Norway’s oil fund wants companies to be allowed to water down their climate goals, arguing the alternative was for a major net zero initiative to fall apart. “The $2tn oil fund told the FT it feared companies could back away from the idea of science-backed climate targets unless … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 25-26, 2026

Decarbonising home heating: UK bets £15bn on solar and heat pumps

Esme Stallard  and Justin Rowlatt write on the BBC News website about the latest programme to decarbonise Britain’s homes. Ministers are tilting Britain’s “homes upgrade” spending away from insulation and towards technologies such as solar panels, batteries and heat pumps as they seek to lift 1mn families out of fuel poverty. Is this the right … Continue reading Decarbonising home heating: UK bets £15bn on solar and heat pumps

“Most plug-in solar devices are still sold in Germany, far ahead of the rest of the world”

Gero Rueter writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the popularity of home-fitted solar devices.  These home-fitted renewable-energy sources are inexpensive and easy to install, and reduce electricity costs. Here's what can be learned from their surging popularity in Germany.   Cheaper, cleaner energy drives Germany's balcony-solar boom Transitioning to renewables is critical when it comes to … Continue reading “Most plug-in solar devices are still sold in Germany, far ahead of the rest of the world”

Energy in Demand News, August 31, 2025

The expression Energy Efficiency 1st is not just a PR slogan. This week, 67 Industry players and 26 national and EU industry associations wrote to the EU’s Danish Presidency, concerned about the draft compromise text on the EU Climate Law from 31st July, which removes explicit references to the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle. The … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 31, 2025