The renewable energy sector is creating jobs

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has recently published its latest report on the status of renewable energy employment. It is impressive that employment rose 18% between 2013 and 2014. IRENA and jobs Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, … Continue reading The renewable energy sector is creating jobs →

Intense lobbying on renewable energy in Kansas

Peter Hancock writes an interesting article in LJWorld.com about the latest developments in Kansas to move to a voluntary approach for renewable energy deployment, away from a mandatory obligation. Renewable energy bill more about ideology than environment The Kansas House and Senate could start acting as early as Wednesday to repeal a 2005 law … Continue reading Intense lobbying on renewable energy in Kansas →

Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania

Laura Grigore explains on Romania’s Business Review website about the latest legal developments in Romania to establish a sustainable electricity system based on renewables. Romanian parliament approves law on measures in the field of electricity produced from renewable energy sources Romanian Parliament adopted by a large majority the legislation on measures in the field … Continue reading Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania →

Communities play an increasingly important role in the energy transition

Michael Levitin writes a good article in the Guardian explaining that publicly-run renewable energy programmes are flourishing across the US, as states from California to Massachusetts and Ohio embrace the switch from fossil-fuel based power. Community energy model is speeding US move to renewables Sewage and solar power may be odd bedfellows in the … Continue reading Communities play an increasingly important role in the energy transition →

This week’s briefs

There are a couple of brief news items that should be of interest to EiD readers. • eceee summer study In 2013, the International Energy Agency (IEA) dubbed energy efficiency the world’s First Fuel. Global energy saving investments – and their effects on energy demand – are now equal to the net contribution of … Continue reading This week’s briefs →

Impact of the falling number of patents for renewable energy products

Julia Kollewe writes in The Guardian that the falling number of patents for renewable energy products globally risks governments missing carbon reduction targets. Global hopes for renewable energy fading, patents data show The number of patents for renewable energy products filed worldwide has fallen by 42% over the last three years, which could suggest … Continue reading Impact of the falling number of patents for renewable energy products →

Why have renewables not caught on as they should?

Michael McDonald writes a good article in oilprice.com why the world has not figured out an effective business model for renewable energy and, until so, the full potential will not be achieved. What Is Holding The Green Revolution Back? In all the press that alternative energy sources get, one fact is often omitted. While … Continue reading Why have renewables not caught on as they should? →

The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid

The sustainable energy transition is complex and even electricity utilities realise there is a need to change even if there is inconvenience. Takefumi Arai writes on Renewable Energy Focus website about many of the challenges. The Electrical Grid and Renewable Energy: Creating a Stable Relationship Electric utilities and grid operators face the challenge of … Continue reading The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid →

Have we reached the tipping point in deploying renewables?

Achim Steiner, under-secretary general of the United Nations and executive director of the UN environment programme (UNEP), writes in The Guardian about how clean energy has spread to every corner of the globe, with more than 100,000 megawatts of capacity installed last year. Steiner explains how clean energy investment in 2014 rose 17% compared to … Continue reading Have we reached the tipping point in deploying renewables? →

Developments in deployment of solar systems in Hawaii – at the forefront of a global upheaval

Diane Cardwell provides an excellent article in the New York Times about the impact the rapid deployment of solar systems is having on the power sector. Solar Power Battle Puts Hawaii at Forefront of Worldwide Changes Allan Akamine has looked all around the winding, palm tree-lined cul-de-sacs of his suburban neighborhood in Mililani here … Continue reading Developments in deployment of solar systems in Hawaii – at the forefront of a global upheaval →