renewables
With the help of the right public policies, the world could get most — close to 80 per cent — of the energy it needs from renewable sources by mid-century, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A new IPCC report, backed with findings from more than 120 researchers, finds
renewables
A new World Economic Forum report argues that scaling up renewables takes more more than public and private infrastructure: it also requires a more flexible regulatory framework and improvements in the electricity grid. “Developing Renewable Energy Capacity” was launched ahead of the coming World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape
renewables
Google has once again poured big money into a renewable energy project … this time, as a part-owner of what will be the world’s largest wind farm, now under construction near Arlington, Oregon. Other companies involved in the 845-megawatt Shepherds Flat project include GE’s Energy Financial Services unit, developer
renewables
Analysing the economics of commodities so you can can compare one to another is a tricky business. Make a mistake, and your decision could affect market growth for the worse, generating short-term benefits but long-term losses. Let’s consider some of the difficulties involved in the economics of energy policies,
renewables
NextEnergy Capital (NEC), the European Merchant Bank with a focus on the renewable energy and clean technology sector, has reiterated its commitment to the development of a UK solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, despite the confusion caused by a surprise “fast-track review” of the UK Feed-In Tariff mechanism. The firm, already
renewables
A trial of the UK’s first grid-connected solar streetlight has begun in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, undertaken by Connect Plus, the consortium tasked with upgrading and maintaining the M25. If successful, the SunMast “eco streetlight” could reduce the carbon footprint of street lighting by 120 per cent. SunMast uses a
renewables
Hopes for a clean-energy, low-carbon economy are looking a bit shaky in some parts of the world for 2011, although a controversial vote by the soon-to-be-replaced Congress provides some encouragement in the US. Included within a legislative package that extends Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy as well as benefits
renewables
Considering the serious energy and climate concerns raised in the International Energy Agency’s latest “World Energy Outlook,” you’d think we as a society would feel a lot more urgency about developing clean, renewable energy sources. Then again, take one look at the lopsided financial picture — $312 billion in
renewables
Can you ever have too much clean energy? Germany has discovered that you can. And, unfortunately, it’s not likely to solve that problem until we find better and more cost-effective ways to store energy. Germany’s current predicament is an unwelcome side-effect of its successful efforts to boost renewable
renewables
The technology exists today that can help us shrink carbon emissions, prevent dangerous climate change and use energy more wisely. The real challenge in achieving those goals lies more with implementing the right technologies to the right degree … that, and finding ways to pay for those technologies. That’s one
renewables
A recent bit of news from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) suggests that James Lovelock, the scientist behind the Gaia theory of Earth and its life systems, might have a point when he criticises most renewable energy sources as inefficient at best and foolish at worst. In its latest interim
renewables
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is seeing “green shoots” in the economy again, but one has to wonder whether there’s more wishful thinking than reality involved in that assessment. Yes, global spending on renewable energy like wind and solar “remained broadly stable in 2009 despite the economic downturn,” as
