Any of you living in Europe’s major cities has probably already been affected by health alerts about the high levels of dangerous emissions. Fiona Harvey writes an important article in The Guardian about what this is costing us in terms of early deaths and disease. She shows that the costs of dirty air are equivalent … Continue reading Air pollution raising alarm bells
Juggling government priorities to meet low carbon objectives
Promoting low carbon technologies often lead to less revenue for governments. This is most recently explained by Andy Sharman in the Financial Times, as he shows how the sales of low carbon cars in the UK is affecting government budget planning. Two thirds of new UK cars pay no tax in first year Two-thirds … Continue reading Juggling government priorities to meet low carbon objectives
Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners
The use of air conditioning globally is increasing at a rapid rate, particularly in non-OECD countries. Chris Mooney writes an important article in the Washington Post about this trend. As he writes, the motive is not increasing temperatures but greater wealth. However, unless the electricity can be provided by renewable energy, the impact on global … Continue reading Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners
Michigan is discussing about the disproportionate impact energy has on the most vulnerable in the state
Patrick Kenneally writes an important post on the US Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staff blog, Switchboard, about a recent event in Michigan about how to make safe, affordable, and job-creating energy resources available to the poor. The lessons go well beyond Michigan. NRDC Tells Regulators and Lawmakers in Lansing that Clean Energy Helps … Continue reading Michigan is discussing about the disproportionate impact energy has on the most vulnerable in the state
How utilities are ensuring that hacking will not disrupt our power supplies
Cyber attacks are a real concern and, as Gillian Tett writes in the Financial Times, power companies are anything but calm about the concerns, investing more in cyber surveillance. Will cyber attacks switch off the lights? ‘Power companies are now under constant, accelerating attack from troublemakers or state-sponsored players’ A couple of months ago … Continue reading How utilities are ensuring that hacking will not disrupt our power supplies
No one said the transition would be easy
Many of you will be able to relate to the challenges that individuals address as they try to be part of the sustainable energy future. Julian Critchlow writes a good account in the Financial Times that he went through. As he said, even an ardent enthusiast will struggle to make the technology work. One … Continue reading No one said the transition would be easy
The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid
The sustainable energy transition is complex and even electricity utilities realise there is a need to change even if there is inconvenience. Takefumi Arai writes on Renewable Energy Focus website about many of the challenges. The Electrical Grid and Renewable Energy: Creating a Stable Relationship Electric utilities and grid operators face the challenge of … Continue reading The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid
The wireless way to make it easier to charge electric vehicles
If there is going to be a greater deployment of electric vehicles in cities, a more effective way than we current see will be necessary. Jim Motavalli writes in the New York Times about a new wireless charger. Finding Easier Ways to Charge Electric Vehicles Jeremy McCool is convinced there is a better way … Continue reading The wireless way to make it easier to charge electric vehicles
The energy concierge
Elisa Wood provides an enlightening article in Energyefficiencymarkets.com about a personal energy concierge service for homeowners. What do you think about this idea? Bewildered Energy Consumers No More? The energy world is littered with stories about energy consumers who give up on doing the right thing out of confusion… The family eager to install … Continue reading The energy concierge
A must read
There are few people who think so thoughtfully and clearly about energy in its fullest sense as Walt Patterson. He is trained as a nuclear physicist and has published thirteen books and hundreds of papers, articles and reviews, on nuclear power, coal technology, renewable energy, energy systems, energy policy and electricity. Since 1991 he has … Continue reading A must read
