Results from new UK survey on renewable energy and energy efficiency

GreenWise provides a good review of a recent government survey that shows that support for renewable energy is increasing. But the survey reveals that the public still has bad energy consumption habits. More people back renewable energy, but energy wasting behaviour persists, DECC survey shows Support for renewable energy is rising among the UK public, … Continue reading Results from new UK survey on renewable energy and energy efficiency →

Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia

Amending the renewable energy support scheme has caused much ruckus and opinion differences in Estonia over government’s plans to retroactively amend the support scheme while not respecting previous agreements, writes Mikk Põld, attorney of TRINITI, pan-Baltic cross-border alliance of law firms, in the Baltic Business News. Renewable energy support – Estonian government’s stumbling stone … Continue reading Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia →

Renewable energy impact on European power prices

David Thorpe writes for Energy and Environmental Management (EAEM) about how renewable energy output in Germany has had a positive affect in lowering European power prices recently. German renewable energy helped cut European power prices in April Record output from German wind and solar plants helped to reduce European power prices in April, according … Continue reading Renewable energy impact on European power prices →

French village shows way to have wind take them out of debt

Henry Samuel writes in the Telegraph about an important lesson for local governments that are wavering over encouraging renewable energy within their jurisdiction. Are there lessons for others? The French village that bucked the austerity trend In an age of austerity when many French towns are groaning under debt, the mayor of a once-poor village … Continue reading French village shows way to have wind take them out of debt →

H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world

It is an important step when technologies move along the deployment continuum. Many remain in the research world, struggling to find their place in the market place. When I started in energy policy, there was always discussion about hydrogen and its potential to be a major form of sustainable energy. We are still waiting. This … Continue reading H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world →

Energy company worries that energy efficiency is hurting its financial position

Scott Wright wrote in the Herald Scotland that Iberdrola’s finances dropped because of costs involved in meeting UK energy company obligations. The new Energy Companies Obligation was considered the single most important factor on overall performance. Energy efficiency costs take toll on Iberdrola results Energy giant Iberdrola felt the weight of legislative measures to improve … Continue reading Energy company worries that energy efficiency is hurting its financial position →

Hydrogen moves closer towards centre stage

Emily Dugan writes in The Independent about new scientific breakthroughs that make the use of hydrogen as a clean and cheap power source much more feasible. Interestingly, DG Energy of the European Commission is now getting more active in considering hydrogen as a strong option. These are positive steps forward. Science moves step closer to … Continue reading Hydrogen moves closer towards centre stage →

Showing how an all-renewable approach is feasible.

Mark Diesendorf recently wrote in The Conversation on how renewables can provide all needed electricity. Much of the argument concerns the need for baseload demand. This is an interesting article, well worth reading. Why 100 per cent renewables is possible... and affordable The future of civilisation and much biodiversity hangs to a large degree … Continue reading Showing how an all-renewable approach is feasible. →

Is renewable energy planning in Europe over regulated?

Geoffrey McLatchey from the Competitive Enterprise Institute provides a provocative article in The Commentator on the planning ideology for renewable energy in Europe. European renewable energy: Seeds of central planning The “ends justify the means” ideology surrounding the climate debate is certainly a dangerous game to play when government enters the equation. As European environmental … Continue reading Is renewable energy planning in Europe over regulated? →

Striving to be the first solar capital of the world

Felicity Barringer of the New York Times provides an excellent article on one city in California that is showing total commitment to solar energy. Hopefully more will be following the lead. With Help From Nature, a Town Aims to Be a Solar Capital There are at least two things to know about this high … Continue reading Striving to be the first solar capital of the world →