How crowdfunding is making its mark in investing in solar projects

Jennifer Kho provides a good article on the use of solar bonds and crowdfunding in the US. First US public offering of solar bonds: can crowdfunding take clean energy to the next level? SolarCity just changed the way clean energy projects will be financed. Will retail investors give solar a boost? The largest solar … Continue reading How crowdfunding is making its mark in investing in solar projects →

The cost competitiveness of wind power

Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian on recent EU analysis that finds that onshore wind is now cheaper than many other conventional sources of energy when external factors are calculated. Onshore windfarms far cheaper than coal and gas when health impacts are factored in, report shows Onshore wind is cheaper than coal, gas or … Continue reading The cost competitiveness of wind power →

Using innovative financing to support renewable energy

Keith Findlay writes in the Press and Journal from Aberdeen Scotland of the use of crowdfunding to raise funds for new windfarm projects. The company involved, Triodos Renewables, was set up in 1995 and is a UK company managed by Bristol-based Triodos Bank. Renewables developer launches crowdfunded share issue Green-energy firm Triodos Renewables is … Continue reading Using innovative financing to support renewable energy →

How renewable energy should be subsidised

Seldom do we think about how we should provide subsidies. Iván Martén. senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, provides three important principles in a recent Wall Street Journal blog. Three Principles for Subsidizing Renewable Energy Renewable-energy production brings extra costs to the power system that should be managed and subsidized in the most … Continue reading How renewable energy should be subsidised →

Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets

There are negotiations going on before the climate and energy targets for 2030 are decided upon last week. When you look at it graphically, it shows quite clearly where member states stand. The energy efficiency community has now to raise its voice. Only yesterday, the British energy secretary said there was room for compromise, but … Continue reading Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets →

The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit

Last week EiD described the trend to convert its iconic red phone boxes to be able to charge mobile phones. This week, we cross the channel and show what is happening to the Eiffel Tower. Kim Willsher provides an excellent article in The Observer of the changes underway. Solar panels and glass floors: it's … Continue reading The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit →

Novel way to charge our mobile phones

Zachary Davies Boren writes in the Independent about how the iconic British red phone boxes are going green – literally. London’s red phone boxes go green, are converted into solar-powered phone chargers The iconic red phone box of London has been painted green, and will act instead as a solar-powered phone charging station. The … Continue reading Novel way to charge our mobile phones →

Giving more attention to small and medium-sized enterprises

The International Institute for Sustainable Development reports on a new World Bank publication that quantifies the opportunities for SMEs in green industries. In most countries, SMEs are the backbone of the economy and this is a welcome report that needs to be given considerable attention. World Bank Identifies Clean-Tech Market Opportunities for SMEs The … Continue reading Giving more attention to small and medium-sized enterprises →

Renewables increasingly cost competitive

There are fundamental shifts in the US energy market, according to an article by Ed Crooks in the Financial Times. As the article reports, renewables are increasingly cost-competitive with natural gas-fired power, even without subsidies. US solar and wind start to outshine gas Large wind farms and solar plants are now cost-competitive with gas-fired … Continue reading Renewables increasingly cost competitive →

Geothermal power reaches new global heights

Renewable Energy Magazine writes about the strong growth in geothermal power capacity globally. The three big leaders are the United States, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The article refers to electricity produced from geothermal but not direct heating. Geothermal Power Approaches 12,000 Megawatts Worldwide In 2013, world geothermal electricity-generating capacity grew 3 percent to top … Continue reading Geothermal power reaches new global heights →