After having just won the World Cup title in soccer in Brazil, Germany raked in another title – this time outside the soccer stadium – as the world’s most energy efficient economy. So both instances illustrate the significance of efficient play. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) ranked in its 2014 International Energy… Keep reading →
Another axe has fallen in Europe over renewable energy subsidies. Just last month, Italy announced that it will cut its feed-in tariffs (FIT) for certain renewable energy plants – not only for future plants, but also for existing plants with valid FIT guarantees. German lawmakers also recently approved an extensive revision of the country’s renewable… Keep reading →
Germany is drafting strict anti-fracking regulations, but fracking opponents say the current plan doesn’t go far enough, citing loopholes regarding depth and fracking fluid chemistry. “Although the proposed policy has the protection of public health and drinking water as its highest priority, the fracking ban only applies at a depth shallower than 3000 meters. Additionally,… Keep reading →
GE’s apparently successful takeover of key segments of Alstom’s prized energy business raised eyebrows when many thought German energy giant Siemens would prevail. Siemens’ unwillingness to part with its train signaling business – a critical concession made by GE – is reportedly one aspect of the deal that tipped negotiations in GE’s favor. Interestingly, the… Keep reading →
Yesterday the 37th annual International Association for Energy Economics International Conference kicked off in New York. Renewable energy is not only a hot topic in the media but also a frequent topic of discussion among experts at this year’s highly interesting sessions. Issues addressed range from impacts of steadily rising shares of renewables on the… Keep reading →
In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008-2009 the public learned that using a so-called “bad bank” concept can indeed work ‘nicely’ if a clear line between good and bad assets can be drawn. In this way, the severely impacted financial institutions were able to improve their financial strength – with toxic assets off… Keep reading →
Peak solar & wind power production in Germany are considerably lower than installed capacity The EU Commission recently unveiled new regulations for the period 2014 to 2020 to gradually phase out support for renewable energy technologies. In a press release the commission stated the guidelines are intended to “promote a gradual move to market-based support… Keep reading →
As tension in Ukraine ratchets up, investors and business leaders with regional interests are closely monitoring their risk profiles. What would return to a Cold War era geopolitical landscape mean? Western oil companies like BP, ExxonMobil and Shell with extensive Russian operations are certainly asking this question. Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently weighed in… Keep reading →
Bringing about structural change in a country’s power system requires an energy policy supported by the long-term commitment of the political elite to tackle entrenched interests. Renewables are at the center of efforts to diversify and help countries wean themselves off carbon-heavy energy supplies. IEA scenarios indicate that generation from solar photovoltaic’s (PV) and wind… Keep reading →
Economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and EU in response to Crimea’s annexation from Ukraine are beginning to ripple through the energy industry. The South Stream pipeline that would bring Russian gas to Europe bypassing Ukraine was scheduled to start up in 2015. However, the pipeline now faces legal problems as companies involved… Keep reading →
