More on the future of energy policy

Andrew Simms has never stopped making us think about energy policy from the basic elements. Simms, author of Cancel the Apocalypse (Little Brown, 2013), and works for Global Witness, gives us food for thought (for many of us at the beach) about the need to seek a different approach to energy policy. Wherever you are … Continue reading More on the future of energy policy →

Important OECD report on making the best use of new energy resources

The OECD has recently published a report that makes us take a fresh look what it means to develop energy resources. The report looks at the US and the benefits it has had from the exploitation of shale oil and gas. While many may shudder at this, it certainly should be looked at in the … Continue reading Important OECD report on making the best use of new energy resources →

The historical link between growth in national wealth and growth in national energy consumption has completely evaporated

For many years, Andrew Warren has been one of the leading thinkers of a holistic approach to energy. While Andrew has headed the UK’s Association for the Conservation of Energy, he has been at the forefront to encourage a positive national awareness of the need for and benefits of energy conservation as well as to … Continue reading The historical link between growth in national wealth and growth in national energy consumption has completely evaporated →

Good news for renewables, less so for energy efficiency

Tom Revell writes in Blue & Green Tomorrow about a recent poll in the UK that shows that voters believe renewables is the most important way to address energy security. Nuclear came second and energy efficiency came third. Poll: UK voters think renewable energy is best way to secure energy supply British voters from … Continue reading Good news for renewables, less so for energy efficiency →

Important blog on UK energy policy

Nick Butler is a regular writer/blogger in the Financial Times and his recent blog reflects on the state of British energy policy, or the lack thereof. There is so much written about UK energy policy but this is a good one for those outside the UK to get a better idea of just what is … Continue reading Important blog on UK energy policy →

Looking at Europe’s shale gas efforts from abroad

Eric Reguly writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail about his concerns for the future of the shale gas industry in Europe. Europe’s shale gas backers are living in a fantasy world The Ukraine crisis has come as a godsend to the shale gas cheerleaders in Europe. Russian natural gas exports to Western and Central Europe, … Continue reading Looking at Europe’s shale gas efforts from abroad →

Ukraine must tackle how it uses energy

While many of the headlines concerning Ukraine and Russia have included the problems over natural gas, Ukraine has to take a more balanced approach and address how it uses energy. Christian Oliver and Roman Olearchyk provide a good article in the Financial Times, explaining many of the problems. The article describes the support from the … Continue reading Ukraine must tackle how it uses energy →

Assessing how to decarbonise our energy systems

Jeff McMahon provides an important article on the effort required to decarbonise the US energy system. While it includes efforts on the demand side, it mainly relates to decarbonised energy supply. Hopefully this is leading to a better dialogue to gain some consensus on the way forward. What Would It Take To Decarbonize The Energy … Continue reading Assessing how to decarbonise our energy systems →

Canadians in quandary over views on their tar sands

Konrad Yakabuski writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail about the conflicting feelings that Canadians have over their tar sands. While they have a significant impact on overall national income, Canadians also want to be seen as conscientious global citizens. While many countries have conflicting priorities, it is acute in Canada and this article is important … Continue reading Canadians in quandary over views on their tar sands →

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 →