Global Futures Report points to transformation policies for renewable energy

Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), in cooperation with the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP), recently released its annual "REN21 Global Futures Report (GFR)," which presents a range of expert perspectives on possible renewable energy futures. The report is based on interviews with more than 170 leading experts and 50 published energy scenarios. It … Continue reading Global Futures Report points to transformation policies for renewable energy →

Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward

Jan Cienski recently wrote a blog for the Financial Times about the difficulties in getting renewable energy policies firmly established within Poland. Renewable energy in Poland: endlessly renewable squabble Poland’s long-running reluctance to tackle a new law on renewable energy is starting to impose growing economic and political costs, as big energy companies freeze … Continue reading Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward →

Fracking cultural wars continue

The news agency AP reports in The Independent newspaper about the continuing cultural wars on fracking in the US. EiD reported earlier this month on the topic. Imagine there's no fracking… Yoko Ono joins tour against controversial extraction technique Celebrities including Yoko Ono, her son Sean Lennon and actress Susan Sarandon were in Pennsylvania today … Continue reading Fracking cultural wars continue →

EBRD adopts new Russia strategy for 2013-2015 that continues to give priority to energy efficiency

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has adopted a new strategy for Russia, setting priorities that will govern the Bank’s activities in its largest country of operation over the next three years. It shows below how energy efficiency remains a high priority. During its new strategy period of 2013-2015, the Bank will prioritise … Continue reading EBRD adopts new Russia strategy for 2013-2015 that continues to give priority to energy efficiency →

Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business

Renewable Energy Focus provides details on the first deal by the UK’s new public-funded green investment bank in wind energy. UK Green Investment Bank agrees its first offshore wind farm finance package The UK’s state-backed Green Investment Bank (GIB) has struck its first deal in the offshore wind sector, contributing to a £224 million re-financing … Continue reading Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business →

2012 – the year in graphs

The Washington Post asked many experts for the graph that they felt best explained 2012. Two of the graphs relate to sustainable energy. First, the nominee related to climate change was Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. The second graph is by Michael Greenstone, professor of economics at MIT and Director of the Hamilton Project. It … Continue reading 2012 – the year in graphs →

Increased self-generation of electricity in German industry

Deutsche Welle, the German international broadcaster, reports on an important trend in German industry towards investments in self-generation. German firms invest in generating energy themselves An increasing number of German companies are in the process of decreasing their dependency on external energy suppliers by generating energy themselves. They're wary of the government's current course. More … Continue reading Increased self-generation of electricity in German industry →

Fracking debate brings out interesting characters

Reuters provides a curious article on how fracking is getting to be big business by a wide range of celebrities in order to try and influence public opinion. There certainly is a growing debate on fracking or not in the US. Stay tuned, it could next happen in Europe. Insight: In Fracking Culture War, Celebs, … Continue reading Fracking debate brings out interesting characters →

Quote of the week

Tim Yeo, MP, Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee in the British Parliament, in reacting to the government’s pro-gas stance: "Lumbering the UK economy with a centralized power system largely reliant on gas, would be like running an office using a fax machine in the age of the iPad," he said. Mr. … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Everyone knew there would be costs involved to meet energy goals but . . .

Conor Keane, Business Editor of the Irish Examiner reports on the estimated costs for Ireland to meet its legal obligations under EU Directives Meeting energy goals to cost €23bn Ireland needs to invest €22.8bn between now and 2020 if it is to fulfil its legal obligations under EU directives on the environment and energy efficiency … Continue reading Everyone knew there would be costs involved to meet energy goals but . . . →