Business starts to raise concerns about UK government’s reduction of subsidies for renewable energy

Pilita Clark writes a good article in the Financial Times about Siemens’ concerns about the British government’s scrapping of many subsidies for renewable energy. They worry that “doubt and uncertainty discourages investment decisions” Siemens weighs into UK green energy row One of the world’s biggest industrial conglomerates has weighed into a row about green … Continue reading Business starts to raise concerns about UK government’s reduction of subsidies for renewable energy →

Setting up the infrastructure for electric vehicles

The Guardian provided a good article on the Australian state of Queensland’s first solar-powered fast-charging station is to be built in Townsville, and the government is offering small businesses a plan to help reduce costs. Queensland plans 1,600km string of fast-charging stations for electric cars Queensland wants to build a string of charging stations … Continue reading Setting up the infrastructure for electric vehicles →

REN 21 Global Status Report for 2015

First released in 2005, REN21’s Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) provides a comprehensive and timely overview of renewable energy market, industry, investment and policy developments worldwide. It enables policymakers, industry, investors and civil society to make informed decisions. The Renewables Global Status Report relies on up-to-date renewable energy data, provided by an international network of … Continue reading REN 21 Global Status Report for 2015 →

Micro-hydro schemes offer good job opportunities

James Meadway explains in the Guardian that micro-hydro energy schemes in Britain offer significant opportunities to regenerate deprived areas, but they must overcome start-up costs and declining subsidies. Small scale hydropower can provide stream of new jobs to rural regions Micro-hydro, the generation of electricity from small streams, has begun to take off in … Continue reading Micro-hydro schemes offer good job opportunities →

Understanding the macro-economic benefits of renewables

Rodney Edwards writes on the Impartial Reporter website about how communities taking their energy future into their own hands was the topic under discussion at a recent renewable energy event attended by locals who are opposed to fracking in Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. ‘Renewables can be the source to re-energise rural communities, bringing jobs … Continue reading Understanding the macro-economic benefits of renewables →

Impact of low oil prices on the deployment of renewable energy technologies in developing countries

Pilita Clark writes in the Financial Times about how the recent oil price plunge is affecting the installation of renewable energy technologies in many developing countries. Cheap oil endangers poorer nations’ switch to renewable energy After oil prices started edging back up above $100 a barrel at the start of this decade, a Canadian … Continue reading Impact of low oil prices on the deployment of renewable energy technologies in developing countries →

Raising concern about UK government’s approach to wind power

Following premature cutbacks to onshore wind farms the UK's energy security will increasingly depend on large scale offshore wind power, write Ian Broadbent & Peter Strachan in an excellent blog on The Ecologist website. All at sea? Government's strong talk on offshore wind masks feeble ambition Onshore wind is potentially Britain's lowest cost electricity … Continue reading Raising concern about UK government’s approach to wind power →

Call for deep changes to the way Europe runs and regulates its electricity sector

Tobias Buck writes in the Financial Times how one of Europe’s biggest power companies sees the need for major reforms in order to better promote renewable energy. Iberdrola calls for energy reforms to back ‘efficient’ renewables The boss of one of Europe’s biggest power companies has called for deep changes to the way the … Continue reading Call for deep changes to the way Europe runs and regulates its electricity sector →

How renewable energy and energy efficiency are helping the brewing industry

Jeff Sheehan and Seth Rivard, co-founders of Rockford Brewing Company, wrote an interesting article in the Detroit News about how their commitment to sustainability has had a positive impact on their operations. Brews benefit from clean energy At Rockford Brewing Co., we take pride in the quality of our traditional and inventive — not … Continue reading How renewable energy and energy efficiency are helping the brewing industry →

Europe’s climate policies are having an impact on America’s forests

Everyone looks for a business opportunity, and when Europe started promoting biomass for power production, American wood suppliers were certainly glad to take advantage of the market opportunity. But, as Joby Warrick writes in the Washington Post, there are implications that may be less than sustainable. How Europe’s climate policies have led to more … Continue reading Europe’s climate policies are having an impact on America’s forests →