National Geographic is running a special energy series and a recent article highlights steps companies and environmental groups are taking to reduce the impacts associated with shale gas and oil development. “Natural gas is a potential energy bounty for the country, and development is probably inevitable,” said Ben Ratner, a project manager for the nonprofit… Keep reading →
Utility Dive takes a look at the new study making headlines – and getting its author on the David Letterman Show – that says the US could generate all its power from renewable sources by 2050. Not to spoil it, but the answer – predictably – is 100% renewables is possible, if not very challenging.… Keep reading →
The US EPA lifted a ban that prohibited BP from bidding on new leases in the Gulf of Mexico. BP was suing the EPA because of the ban. The British oil major may now participate in a lease sale being held this Wednesday. “After a lengthy negotiation, BP is pleased to have reached this resolution,… Keep reading →
This concluding article in a 3-part series details Gazprom’s changing European natural gas export strategy as it bumps up against EU regulations designed to promote market liberalization by unbundling energy production, transmission, delivery and storage from single-company ownership. The new Gazprom-designed gas transit system outlined earlier in this series – here and here – is not… Keep reading →
This first of three articles on how Gazprom is attempting to revamp its natural gas export strategy in Europe reviews Germany’s central role in this endeavor with specific focus on the traditional role of underground gas storage facilities. Germany is the second largest natural gas consumer in the EU, closely trailing the United Kingdom. Moreover,… Keep reading →
By: Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of IHS One of the biggest themes at Davos this year — and one that was not there last year — was “competitiveness.” You encountered it whether in the public sessions in the Congress Center, or in the private sessions, and at the various dinners in the hotels strung along… Keep reading →
Germany’s massive build out of renewable power generation resources and simultaneous nuclear power phase out has resulted in a difficult situation where coal use and customers’ electric bills are rising. The country’s new energy minister, Sigmar Gabriel, discussed these issues in a policy speech on Tuesday. Read Breaking Energy coverage of the German energy situation… Keep reading →
A new report with contributions from 100 clean energy experts and business leaders offers 200 “executive-action recommendations” to President Obama regarding the best ways to advance the country’s clean energy agenda. Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter led the report that included insight from Obama’s former lead energy and climate advisor Heather Zichal. [National Journal] Germany’s… Keep reading →
Rising energy costs are increasingly dominating political agendas in many countries around the world both developed and developing. The U.S. shale revolution with domestic cheap natural gas has started to bite into coal’s U.S. power generation market share, which can be attributed to the coal-to-gas switch of power utilities. Note, that any change in U.S.… Keep reading →
Germany is facing an energy paradox where significant increases in renewably-generated power – mostly from wind and solar – are being surpassed by increases in coal-fired power. Part of the reason stems from the country’s decision to phase out its nuclear fleet. A majority of the nuclear generation capacity that has come offline – 8… Keep reading →
