On the other hand . . . German shift from nuclear increases use of carbon

Stefan Nicola and Tino Andresen of Bloomberg news service report on the difficulties that Germany faces in reducing its reliance on nuclear energy. Merkel’s Green Shift Forces Germany to Burn More Coal Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government says RWE AG’s new power plant that can supply 3.4 million homes aids her plan to exit nuclear … Continue reading On the other hand . . . German shift from nuclear increases use of carbon →

More on electricity at the London Olympics

Following last week’s post on wind energy, there is more to be learned about the electricity provided at the London Olympics. EDF Energy is the official provider of electricity for the London Olympics. EDF Energy is wholly owned by EDF, the major French electricity company. This is what they say on their website about use … Continue reading More on electricity at the London Olympics →

Developments in Canadian energy policy

Much is written about Canada’s emphasis on tar sands (and fossil fuels in general) development but there are growing concerns in Canada that other countries are moving ahead in the “mega trend” towards clean energy and a low-carbon economy. This article from Mike De Souza, in the Montreal Gazette, gives the non-Canadian reader a good … Continue reading Developments in Canadian energy policy →

Brazil sees bright future for energy efficiency projects

Bloomberg news service describes the dynamic situation in Brazil for energy-efficiency services provided by energy supply companies. Light Sees Demand Doubling for Brazil Energy-Efficiency Projects The Brazilian power utility, Light SA, expects demand for its energy-efficiency services to double next year as electricity prices rise and more supermalls and factories seek to conserve power. Light … Continue reading Brazil sees bright future for energy efficiency projects →

Continuing the discussion on the Indian blackout

Radhika Khosla, a staff scientist for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), continues the discussion on the aftermath of the recent major blackout in India. Here Ms Khosla, together with Amir Kavousian, a NRDC MAP Fellow, discuss the significant potential for improved energy efficiency. This post was on the NRDC’s staff blog entitled Switchboard. Power … Continue reading Continuing the discussion on the Indian blackout →

Renewables deliver even as India’s grid collapses

This week, we have all read about the catastrophic blackouts in India, with over 600 million people left without electricity. Energy Matters from Australia takes a different look at this terrible event. India's Massive Blackout Proves Solar Energy's Mettle In what has been described as the world's largest blackout event, solar panels again proved … Continue reading Renewables deliver even as India’s grid collapses →

Don’t count your chickens . . .

Many member states have been planning to use revenue from the planned auction of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The UK journal, Energy in Buildings and Industry, reports that introducing a floor price for the scheme risks being seen as a carbon tax. This was the view of the Director General of … Continue reading Don’t count your chickens . . . →

Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies

This is a good report on updated estimates of global fossil fuel subsidies that was produced by Oil Change International, a research, communication, and advocacy organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating the coming transition towards clean energy. The report highlights that, while there has been progress, there is definitely … Continue reading Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies →

Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage

This new book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes a different approach than the normal technical review. This book will therefore be of interest to anyone who is engaged with the study of energy technologies, carbon reduction and climate change policy more widely, and concerned with questions about the political, policy and social context … Continue reading Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage →

Effect of procurement training on energy savings in small and medium-sized enterprises

Energy in Buildings & Industry, a UK monthly magazine, features in its June issue a report by the electricity company npower that shows that UK businesses are missing out on significant energy savings by not having trained staff in place to procure energy. The average SME spends about €225,000 per year. The report said that … Continue reading Effect of procurement training on energy savings in small and medium-sized enterprises →