Energy World - July/August 2009
Viewpoint
Carbon conflict – how the CRC could hinder UK renewables take-up
Jo Butlin
News
International news
- Growth in global energy consumption slowed in 2008
- Financial crisis impacts on energy investment
- Solar PV plants for Germany, Italy, France
- Offshore wind in Germany, Hong Kong
- Solar PV and thermal technologies will grow
- Geothermal power plant for Mexico
- New thermal power plants for India, the Netherlands,
- Ammonia carbon capture plant planned for Norway
- Obama announces national fuel economy policy
Home news
- Balancing electricity supply and demand in 2020
- Largest onshore wind farm; largest offshore project
- Government confirms new coal conditions
- Public sector urged to generate renewable energy
- Brown sets out UK position for Copenhagen
- Carbon capture trial at Longannet
- 40°C summer peaks possible for London by 2080s
- Large-scale wind deployment – on track but expensive
Features
Ashden Awards – celebrating local, sustainable energy solutions across the developing world
The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy were founded in 2001 to encourage the greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change and alleviate poverty both in the developing world and the UK. The Awards work to showcase and celebrate best practice, encourage the expansion and replication of winners’ work and raise awareness of the potential of local sustainable energy. The seven 2009 winners were no less inspiring than those featured in previous years.
Energy in Transition
Investment and finance – getting to scale
We know a lot about the technology of low carbon energy systems, but in Energy World circles tend not to look very hard at financing issues. So an Energy inTransition session on the subject was always going to be useful. Steve Hodgson was there.
Energy in Transition
Sustainable buildings – regenerating the UK’s buildings
A number of sessions at Energy in Transition focused directly on the very major part played by buildings when it comes to carbon emissions. Marc Height reports.
Energy in Transition
Energy efficiency through people and technology
It is not just technical fixes that are needed to become better with energy, behavioural changes can also play a large part. Marc Height reports.
Energy in Transition
Low carbon futures – local implementation is essential
The supply side is, of course, only one side of the energy problem. Local energy initiatives on homes, buildings and city heating and cooling systems are important too, as Steve Hodgson found while attending the local implementation session.
Energy in Transition
An international energy system
With discussions taking place in Copenhagen later this year focused on creating a climate change deal to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, much debate was on the viability of a worthwhile agreement. Marc Height reports.
Check the small print in supply contracts
EIC is urging businesses to check their energy contracts as a number of recession-led trends emerge. Tighter credit controls and a clause known as take or pay are being enforced by energy suppliers to compensate for the reduced demand seen as a consequence of the economic downturn, as well as assessing the financial stability of their customers.
