In a recent article on The Conversation, University of Melbourne Professor Emeritus Frank Larkins wrote that Australia’s targets to increase renewable energy will make electricity more expensive, thanks to problems with consistency and storage. But Professor Larkins is several years behind developments in renewable energy and its integration into electricity grids. In fact, we already … Continue reading Renewable energy is ready to supply all of Australia’s electricity
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Renewable energy investing in China
Foreign investors visiting China receive a personal introduction to clean energy—or at least its importance. With every breath, one is reminded that China relies on coal for 65-70 percent of its energy needs—40 percent above the world average—and leads the world in carbon emissions. The latest annual environmental report revealed that acid rain fell upon … Continue reading Renewable energy investing in China
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Climate Change Fact Sheet
Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)—the principal climate-altering greenhouse gas—come largely from burning coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal, mainly used for electricity generation, accounts for 44 percent of global fossil-fuel-related CO2 emissions. Oil, used primarily for transportation, accounts for 36 percent of CO2 emissions. Natural gas, used for electricity and heating, accounts for the … Continue reading Climate Change Fact Sheet
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Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) today announced the release of a groundbreaking report titled Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy. Jointly authored by ACORE members ScottMadden, Sullivan & Worcester, American Clean Energy, RES Americas, Abengoa Solar and Siemens, this resource explores key issues and provides recommendations related to evolving utility and other business … Continue reading Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy
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IRENA calls on all governments to scale up renewable energy efforts
As the global community faces important energy choices, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) director-general has called on all governments to scale up their renewable energy investment in order to reach a ” sustainable energy future.” Adnan Amin told Xinhua in an interview that “IRENA’s vision is to be the global voice of renewable … Continue reading IRENA calls on all governments to scale up renewable energy efforts
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French nuclear more costly than renewables by 2020
Electricity produced by onshore wind and solar plants may become more competitive with power generated by upgraded nuclear plants in France by the end of this decade, a study by environmental group Greenpeace showed on Thursday. The study comes a week before Energy Minister Segolene Royal presents the broad lines of a much-delayed framework … Continue reading French nuclear more costly than renewables by 2020
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Doubling Renewable Energy will Save Money and Avoid Climate Catastrophe
The world faces an important energy choice, according to a new report launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency in New York today. “REmap 2030” says that scaling-up renewable energy to 36% of the world’s total final energy consumption by 2030 is possible, affordable and will keep the world on a trajectory consistent with a … Continue reading Doubling Renewable Energy will Save Money and Avoid Climate Catastrophe
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US and China to cut power plant emissions
The US is arguably still the most powerful country in the world, but it has always dragged its feet on climate action. So when the US Environmental Protection Agency announces carbon emissions cuts of 30% in the power sector by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels), the news deserves the term “historic”. It is the first … Continue reading US and China to cut power plant emissions
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Renewable energy provided around 19 per cent of global final energy consumption in 2012
In the power sector, global capacity reached 1,560 gigawatts (GW) in 2013 – an increase of about 8.3 per cent over 2012 – and renewables accounted for more than 56 per cent of net additions to global power capacity. REN21’s Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) offers a comprehensive look at the state of the industry. … Continue reading Renewable energy provided around 19 per cent of global final energy consumption in 2012
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Millions of workers call for climate action
Last week more than 50 unions representing millions of jobs worldwide joined the Unions4Climate action network calling for a global agreement on climate change in Paris at the UN climate summit next year. “Threats to jobs and livelihoods include the threat of climate change. For unions it is simple. There are no jobs on a … Continue reading Millions of workers call for climate action
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Spain close to approving new renewable energy rules
The regulation includes variations for a range of technologies – including wind energy, Concentrated Solar Power, photovoltaic and biomass – and the year the assets were installed. The Spanish cabinet could approve on Friday a law that will cut renewable energy subsidies as part of a drive to reduce a 30 billion euro ($41 … Continue reading Spain close to approving new renewable energy rules
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Why the Murdoch media hates renewable energy so much
Here is an admission. For more than two years, over two stints, I wrote a weekly column on green energy for The Australian newspaper, called Greenchip. It appeared prominently on the business pages, and on no occasion was I ever instructed by any editor to take a certain angle, and my copy was never changed … Continue reading Why the Murdoch media hates renewable energy so much
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Turkey’s dependency on foreign energy resources should be eliminated
The Soma mine disaster claimed 301 lives last week, sparking, among other debates, discussion over the use of fossil fuels and Turkey’s dependency on foreign energy. Turkey has an obligation to pursue clean energy, despite the fact that the government has not pursued a transition to renewable energy sources, as some developed countries have. Since … Continue reading Turkey’s dependency on foreign energy resources should be eliminated
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Chernobyl: 28 years on
The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant on April 26, 1986 released large amounts of radiation into the environment, in Ukraine and across Europe. Decades on, problems continue to haunt the site. Nearly 25 years after the Chernobyl disaster spread fear across Europe, an earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown at the nuclear plant in … Continue reading Chernobyl: 28 years on
Continue readingFrance looks to rely less on nuclear power and more on wind energy
France may be the world’s most nuclear energy dependent country, but times are changing as the country looks to increase the amount of wind–sourced electricity in its power mix. When French President François Hollande took the reins of power in 2012 he pledged to reduce the country’s nuclear dependency from 75% to 50% by 2025. … Continue reading France looks to rely less on nuclear power and more on wind energy
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Climate change: Indonesia’s adaptation and mitigation efforts
Global climate change is happening and it is definitely real, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) asserted in its latest report released in Yokohama, Japan, on March 31. The most comprehensive assessment document to date by this UN Panel dedicated to providing the world with a state of knowledge in climate change shows impacts … Continue reading Climate change: Indonesia’s adaptation and mitigation efforts
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Nuclear power is in decline worldwide
Nuclear power is in decline worldwide, lie renewable energy each year play a more important role in the generation of electricity. Data Sources: AGEB 2013, EWEA 2013, BP 2013, IAEA-PRIS, BP, 2013,
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The Right Wing Trains Its Hysterical Eye on Renewable Energy
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently did its level best to alert the public to a genuine global crisis: climate change is accelerating and the need for action is critical. The IPCC’s report highlighted some signs of preliminary progress, however, including sharp reductions in the costs of renewable energy. A New York Times editorial … Continue reading The Right Wing Trains Its Hysterical Eye on Renewable Energy
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Decarbonizing the Future: Seizing Power for Global Change
As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meets on measures to reduce the impact of climate change, the answer to the global problem remains clear: The world must stop betting on a dirty fossil fuel energy system and should instead double-down on investment in clean, sustainable renewable energy. While no easy task, the good news is that … Continue reading Decarbonizing the Future: Seizing Power for Global Change
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Germany moves forward on renewable energy
Angela Merkel’s government approved legislation on Tuesday revamping Germany’s sweeping plan to generate more than 40 percent of its energy needs through renewable resources by 2025 by slowing the rapid expansion of solar energy and wind farms in an effort to hold down spiraling prices. Already, 25 percent of German energy comes from renewable resources, … Continue reading Germany moves forward on renewable energy
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