Energy World - March 2010
Editorial
Giving ground to wind - the march from fossil fuels for power
Steve Hodgson
Viewpoint
Wind powers forward on all fronts
Nick Medic
News
International news
- 800 kV HVDC link for China, 2,375 km link planned for Brazil
- Germany and France reduce subsidies for solar power
- 25 MW geothermal plant planned for Mexico
- Organisations urge US to set climate legislation
- Record year for offshore wind in Europe
- Onshore wind growth in China, Italy, Brazil
- New power plants planned for Kenya, Bangladesh
- First end-to-end CCS project in Europe
- More carbon traded in 2009; total value remains the same
- Twin CSP plants for southern Spain
- New nuclear build – slow at present, but large future growth predicted
Home news
- Cash rewards for low-carbon electricity – feed-in tariffs from April
- Massive expansion of offshore wind would 'power all UK homes'
- Funding for network investment
- Buildings hold the key to meeting carbon targets
- Record gas demand in January – large users interrupted
- Wave and tidal power plans
Features
A 30% emission reduction by 2020? It would pay for itself
Despite the disappointing outcome of the Copenhagen climate summit at the end of last year, the European Commission could still make its move from a 20% to a 30% emission reduction goal in 2020, a measure it had promised if a deal was made. Here, Bart Wesselink, Yvonne Deng and Rolf de Vos from consultancy Ecofys suggest that a 30% reduction by 2020 could be achieved at a net zero cost.
The electric vehicle opportunity for utilities
Stephen Harkin examines the opportunities that European utilities are hoping to exploit as electric vehicles come to market in the next decade and what this could mean for the future of the electricity system. He also draws attention to the hurdles that could still sink this transport paradigm shift.
NEMEX – the source of energy solutions
NEMEX is coming around again, a month earlier than in previous years – the event takes place in Birmingham on 20–22 April.
Public or private? Financing the low-carbon economy
Private sector funding is failing energy policy objectives, says the EU, which has introduced public money to help the clean technology sector develop mature markets. Giles Broom reports.
Business energy users face crippling credit deposit issues
Several UK-based industrial energy users are continuing to face difficulties negotiating credit terms in their electricity and gas supply contracts. The MEUC’s Peter Roper reports.
Breezy future ahead for offshore wind energy financing
There is no doubt that the development of offshore wind farms around Europe suffered during the recent credit crunch. At the same time, proposals for ever larger and more ambitious offshore schemes are being brought forward, particularly for UK waters. Here, Alan Osborn takes a look at financing offshore wind, concluding with cautious optimism.
A renewables roadmap to 20% by 2020
European renewables, carbon emission reduction and energy efficiency targets for 2020 are easy to remember – they are all currently set at 20%. Here, Christine Lins, Secretary General of the European Renewable Energy Council, explains that hitting the 20% renewables target is easily achievable, and details the organisation’s roadmap to get there.
Cover disc – HR in energy...a personnel challenge
Gas turbine R&D – developing future energy systems
