The world’s business and economic policy elite are gathering once again in the mountains of Switzerland this month for the latest iteration of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, colloquially just known by the name of the town it gathers in: Davos. Following a run of self-congratulatory meetings in the years before the global financial… Keep reading →
Hidden inside nearly every modern electronic is a technology — called power electronics — that is quietly making our world run. Yet, as things like our phones, appliances and cars advance, current power electronics will no longer be able to meet our needs, making it essential that we invest in the future of this technology.… Keep reading →
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy laid out a road map for energy policy yesterday. Energy Works for US focuses on nine energy areas including removing barriers to increased domestic oil and natural gas production, modernizing the federal permitting process, regulation reform, and ensuring a competitive workforce. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue spoke on America’s… Keep reading →
It’s no secret that electricity generation requires substantial amounts of water, and different energy sources require varying amounts of water. Nor is it a surprise that Texas and other areas in the West and Southwest are in the midst of a persistent drought. Given these realities, it is surprising that water scarcity is largely absent from… Keep reading →
Breaking Energy had the honor of touring Masdar City in Abu Dhabi last year – a UAE government-supported initiative to build the world’s most sustainable city – which will house research centers and corporations doing cutting-edge sustainable energy work. Masdar City reached a milestone with the opening of GE’s Ecomagination Clean Tech Hub. “The new… Keep reading →
Oil and gas companies have discovered most of the world’s “easy oil,” but face extreme pressure from shareholders and Wall Street to consistently increase production and replace reserves, which takes them further offshore and closer to the poles. And as petroleum resources are increasingly developed in outpost locations with unconventional methods, the key to making… Keep reading →
There are some words in the business world that become swiftly debased: innovation and cleantech are, along with “crowd” anything, are among the worst of recent offenders. But that doesn’t mean that any of these terms fail to represent meaningful concepts for energy sector decision-makers, and if anything participants in energy business decision… Keep reading →
ExxonMobil’s Ken Cohen highlights the tax payments made by some of the largest US-based oil companies, three of which – Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips – appear in a list of the Top 10 corporate tax payers in 2012 compiled by 24/7 Wall Street. “In fact, ExxonMobil and Chevron are ranked #1 and #3 respectively, with… Keep reading →
It’s National Mentoring Month and a perfect time to consider Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorable reflection: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” At the Energy Department, we reflect on Dr. King’s question to help guide the direction of our efforts to both mentor and inspire the next generation of energy leaders. In… Keep reading →
Opinion: Lifting the Crude Export Ban; Real Discourse Gains Traction
By Chris FaulknerThe possibility of the Obama administration lifting the crude oil export embargo, to allow U.S. energy companies access to the world market, is finally a reality. Alaska Republican, and head of the Senate energy committee, Lisa Murkowski, drove the discussion this month when she called the ban “antiquated, and at times, absurd.” I couldn’t agree… Keep reading →