German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy

Dr. Matthias Lang and Prof. Dr. U. Mutschler write in Environmental Politics and Renewable about consumer acceptance of the energy transition underway in Germany. The article quotes Holger Krawinkel of VZBZ, a good friend of EiD and a former member of the board of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee). VZBZ: … Continue reading German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy →

Crowdfunding playing an ever-increasing role

Sophie Yeo writes on the RTCC (Responding to Climate Change) website about the funds already raised in the UK for clean energy projects. One gets the impression that crowdfunding is going to play an increasing role in years to come. UK crowdfunding raises £3m for clean energy projects Crowdfunding is providing the financial impetus … Continue reading Crowdfunding playing an ever-increasing role →

Renewable energy’s impact on transmission and distribution

The editors of Electric Light & Power provide an excellent assessment of the impact of renewable energy on Europe’s transmission system. It also stresses the importance of trans-border interconnections. Demand for renewable energy will drive Europe transmission market A rising demand for electricity and growing environmental concerns across Europe is leading countries to look for … Continue reading Renewable energy’s impact on transmission and distribution →

Looking to Europe and Algeria for inspiration and innovation

Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Governor of California is fully committed to pushing for a clean energy future. While he knows innovation made the US great, he is worried that it is falling behind. He said he could not help but be jealous in Algiers and Brussels. As he said, “They have a vision, and they are … Continue reading Looking to Europe and Algeria for inspiration and innovation →

Utilities are starting to wince

Diane Cardwell provides an excellent article in the New York Times about how electric utilities are starting to be concerned about the growing number of solar panels and what it means for their business. It will be important to watch how this evolves and whether this same backlash will come to Europe. On Rooftops, a … Continue reading Utilities are starting to wince →

Quote of the week

This quote is from the German embassy website in UK concerning the country’s “Energiewende” (energy transition) “Germany aims to generate its energy supply primarily from renewables by 2050. This requires the fundamental restructuring of the energy supply system. This process is a fundamental ethical and cultural decision that offers the unique opportunity to show the world how competitiveness … Continue reading Quote of the week →

UK promotes heat from renewable energy

Jasveer Matharu, who has recently started an MSc in Consumer Psychology, provided a short summary of the proposal to raise the tariffs under the Renewable Heat Incentive. This is an important financial measure that could encourage other EU countries to do the same. UK Government’s proposal to raise the Renewable Heat Incentive Tariffs The UK’s … Continue reading UK promotes heat from renewable energy →

Kenya doing much to promote renewables

Ray Obiero writes for the Thomson Reuters Foundation about the efforts underway in Kenya to promote renewable energy. Kenya is attracting funding for its renewable energy sector because of green policy changes in recent years. Kenya shifts renewable energy funding The recent announcement by the Kenya electricity generating company (Kengen) inviting bids for joint development … Continue reading Kenya doing much to promote renewables →

New OECD report on renewable energy

There is an important new report entitled, "Domestic Incentive Measures for Renewable Energy With Possible Trade Implications" by Heymi Bahar, Jagoda Egeland, and Ronald Steenblik. It is OECD Trade and Environment Working Paper, 2013/01. The OECD has come out with an excellent new report on renewable energy, looking at the possible implications this means for … Continue reading New OECD report on renewable energy →

Producing biofuels from the sea: a solution?

Damian Carrington in The Guardian provides an excellent blog explaining that producing biofuels in the sea removes at a stroke many of the serious problems with conventional biofuels. Seaweed biofuels: a green alternative that might just save the planet "It's best to get it out of the water now or it'll start getting grazed … Continue reading Producing biofuels from the sea: a solution? →