European governments and businesses are discussing the next round of carbon emissions targets once existing greenhouse gas reduction goals expire in 2020. The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change says binding targets are needed to make investors confident in putting money into upgrading power generation infrastructure. “Setting out an ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target of… 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 →
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 →
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 →
The Energy Information Administration released a statement Monday projecting 2013’s CO2 emission’s rates to be 2% higher than the emissions in 2012. This comes on the heels of a decrease in emissions in 2012. The EIA attributes this increase to renewed coal consumption in the electricity power sector in 2013. The Obama administration retains the… Keep reading →
As the US tight oil and gas boom continues, reliance on Canadian crude oil and gas softens. Robust US production also sparked a vibrant export discussion, which could eventually see Canadian and US companies competing for customers and market share. “The protracted controversy over the Keystone XL Pipeline project has focused a great deal of… Keep reading →
Meet Carter Wall. She’s the director of the performance solar division at a Boston-area electrical construction company and the first profile in our new #WomeninSTEM video series. Carter developed an interest in science at an early age, yet struggled to find examples of women scientists and engineers beyond historical figures, like Marie Curie. A lack of relatable… Keep reading →
Because they just hit a venture capital home run with Google’s acquisition of Nest. Despite recent mainstream media reports, cleantech venture capital is alive and kicking at the start of 2014. Just ask Peter Nieh and the cleantech team at Lightspeed, KPCB’s Randy Komisar, Venrock’s David Pakman or Shasta Ventures’ Rob Coneybeer. That group, along… Keep reading →
Corporate social responsibility and ESG – environment, social and governance – issues are playing a more prominent role in corporate strategies as investors push the agenda through shareholder resolutions and other means. It’s no longer enough for companies to simply publish glossy sustainability reports, while continuing to chart a business as usual course. First Energy,… Keep reading →
