The energy transition, yes, but oil is not finished

There is an urge – maybe an urgent urge – to speed up the energy transition. There is much progress but we should also keep an eye on the dynamics of the energy markets. Nick Butler provides a good blog in the Financial Times about the latest trends in the oil market. Too soon … Continue reading The energy transition, yes, but oil is not finished →

The low-carbon energy transition faces difficulties in developing countries

We read that the World Bank is going to dedicate more funds to the low-carbon energy transition. We also read of the many excellent bilateral, philanthropic and other multilateral efforts to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Yet, a recent study by IRENA shows that, while many gains have been made, many countries are … Continue reading The low-carbon energy transition faces difficulties in developing countries →

The impact of climate change on our weather conditions

Every day we are discussing the relationship between our increasingly strange weather patterns and the role of climate change. Nick Butler provides a thoughtful blog in the Financial Times, reviewing a recent study from the National Academy of Sciences. Climate, weather and the politics of energy Is climate change the cause of extreme weather … Continue reading The impact of climate change on our weather conditions →

There is a way to avoid stranded assets

The low carbon energy transition is on and a recent study by Oxford academics shows that very soon any new thermal power plants will end up with a very short lifetime if we are to meet our greenhouse gas emissions targets. Pilita Clark writes in the Financial Times about the recent study. Energy companies … Continue reading There is a way to avoid stranded assets →

Spotlight on Russia and its energy dependence on Europe

The energy transition is complex. Energy policy as a whole is complex and requires a long-term sustainable approach to ensure our economies do well. Undoubtedly, in Europe, there are concerns about its high dependence on Russian gas (Russia supplies 30% of Europe’s gas needs). Understandably energy security has to be uppermost in energy policy. Yes, … Continue reading Spotlight on Russia and its energy dependence on Europe →

The real challenge is keeping fossil fuel reserves in the ground

The transition to a low-carbon economy is not easy but we all know there is no choice. Rainer Baake, State secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, recently wrote an inspirational article in The Guardian of the important role industrialised nations have in this transition. Industrialised nations must lead an … Continue reading The real challenge is keeping fossil fuel reserves in the ground →

Have your say . . .

Silvia Zinetti is well known to many of us who have been working in and around Brussels. Last year she moved to the San Diego area but has continued to work in the field of sustainable energy and wrote a post for EiD last summer. She is very involved with many local groups encouraging sustainable … Continue reading Have your say . . . →

A sobering reality check for the energy sector after COP21

Everyone is still trying to determine what the impact of the recent global climate change agreement means in reality, now that the fine words are over. Nick Butler provides a good blog in the Financial Times about the impact on the energy sector. Beyond Paris – the long-term energy outlook Two papers published in … Continue reading A sobering reality check for the energy sector after COP21 →

Progress on the deployment of smart meters in the UK

EU Member States are required to ensure the implementation of smart metering under EU energy market legislation in the Third Energy Package. According to the European Commission, “implementation may be subject to a long-term cost-benefit analysis (CBA). In cases where the CBA is positive, there is a roll-out target of 80% market penetration for electricity … Continue reading Progress on the deployment of smart meters in the UK →

What are you doing with the lower oil costs?

Oil prices have remained stubbornly low and there are few signs they will increase. Daily we read about the impact on the fossil fuel industry. What is less heard is the impact on our climate change and sustainable energy policies. Clifford Krauss and Diane Cardwell discuss the impact in an article in the New York … Continue reading What are you doing with the lower oil costs? →