Monday, December 26, 2011

IEA - Solar energy could be competitive within 20 years

A new publication by the IEA refers that solar energy could be competitive within 20 years.
Again this depends on the right policies specially in sunny places where economic growth occurring.
Integrating all solar technologies in a system-oriented policy approach will unlock the potential of solar energy within the broader set of low-carbon technologies

Paolo Frankl, head of IEA’s renewable energy division

Energy: Roadmap 2050

The European Commission adopted on the 15th December the Roadmap 2050 for Energy.
Based on the analysis of a set of scenarios, the document describes the consequences of a carbon free energy system and the policy framework needed. This should allow member states to make the required energy choices and create a stable business climate for private investment, especially until 2030.
The Energy Roadmap 2050 identifies a number of elements which have positive impacts in all circumstances, and thus define some key outcomes such as:
- Decarbonisation of the energy system is technically and economically feasible. All decarbonisation scenarios allow achieving the emission reduction target and can be less costly than current policies in the long-run.
- Energy Efficiency and renewable energy are critical. Irrespective of the particular energy mix chosen, higher energy efficiency and important rising shares of renewables are necessary to meet the CO2 targets in 2050. The scenarios also show that electricity will play a greater role than now. Gas, oil, coal and nuclear also figure in all scenarios in different proportions, allowing Member States to keep flexible options in their energy mix provided a well connected internal market is achieved quickly.
- Early Investments cost less. Investment decisions for the necessary infrastructure up to 2030 must be taken now, as infrastructure built 30-40 years ago needs to be replaced. Acting immediately can avoid more costly changes in twenty years. The EU's energy evolution requires anyway modernisation and much more flexible infrastructure such as cross border interconnections, "intelligent" electricity grids and modern low-carbon technologies to produce, transmit and store energy.
- Contain the increase of prices. The investments made now will pave the way for the best prices in the future. Electricity prices are bound to raise until 2030, but can fall thereafter thanks to lower cost of supply, saving policies and improved technologies. The costs will be outweighed by the high level of sustainable investment brought into the European economy, the related local jobs, and the decreased import dependency. All scenarios get to decarbonisation with no major differences in terms of overall costs or security of supply implications.
- Economies of scale are needed. A European approach will result in lower costs and secure supply compared to national parallel schemes. This includes a common energy market which should be completed by 2014.


More information:
Press release
Roadmap 2050

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Homes responsible for one quarter of European greenhouse emissions from energy

A new report from the EEA states that european homes are responsible for 25 % of greenhouse emissions from energy:
Home energy use is responsible overall for 25 % of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU), according to a new analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report calculates emissions based on their 'end use', or the sector using the energy. Homes in the EU only emit 12 % of energy emissions directly, but this doubles when related emissions from power plants and district heating are factored in.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Renewable Jet Fuels

Renewable Jet Fuels is a platform intended for aviation companies that helps them choose the best biofuel for their planes.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

World is risking an inefficient, insecure, high-carbon future, warns IEA

A warning from the IEA after the release of the World Energy Outlook.
According to Maria van der Hoeven, IEA Executive Director
Governments around the globe need to introduce stronger measures to drive energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.

She added that
Growth, prosperity and rising population will inevitably push up energy needs over the coming decades. But we cannot continue to rely on insecure and environmentally unsustainable uses of energy.

The model used in the World Energy Outlook assumes an increase in primary energy demand (three times what it is now in 2035). This is mainly due to non-OECD economies. It is assumed that the proportion of fossil fuels will fall from 81 to 75% and renewables will increase from 13 to 18%. Subsidies to renewables will also increase from $64 billion to $250 billion in 2035, which remains lower than subsidies for fossil fuels (about $300 bilion).

More information: Energy Efficiency News

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Dial4Light

Cost pressures are forcing many towns and cities into saving on public street and walkway lighting. Lighting times are being shortened as an ever-increasing result. To overcome the security issue this may cause, it is now possible in some cities to use the cell-phone to control the light.
Check it out:
Dial4Light

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Come on labels

Come on labels is a project funded by the European Commission with information about energy labeling of household appliances.
You can find the following information:
- Overview of the European and selected national legislation related to appliance labelling,
- Description of the system of product testing for ensuring the device features’ compliance with the information on the label,
- Information about known appliance tests undertaken during the duration of the project,
- Overview of how the proper presence of energy labels should be controlled in shops,
- Description of the status of label presence in retailer shops according to visits made by project partners,
- Examples of promotional activities designed to encourage the general public to take into account the information on the energy label in making their purchasing decisions.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe

Yesterday the European Commission presented the Roadmap to a resource efficient Europe.

Some highlights:
Today in the EU, each person consumes 16 tonnes of materials annually, of which 6 tonnes are wasted, with half going to landfill.


The Vision: By 2050 the EU's economy has grown in a way that respects resource constraints and planetary boundaries, thus contributing to global economic transformation. Our economy is competitive, inclusive and provides a high standard of living with much lower environmental impacts. All resources are sustainably managed, from raw materials to energy, water, air, land and soil. Climate change milestones have been reached, while biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins have been protected, valued and substantially restored.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Computer energy efficiency doubles every 18 months

An interesting article in Ecogeek states that computer energy efficiency doubles every 18 months. This comes as a indirect consequence of the Moore's law (power doubling every 18 months) because what contributes to the power improvement (reducing component size, capacitance and communication time between them) also increases energy efficiency.

More information A new and improved Moore's law

Friday, July 1, 2011

Energy efficiency directive

The Commission is proposing a new energy efficiency directive to cut energy consumption by 20% in 2020. With all the measures on EU and national level in place so far the EU only reached 9% of savings.
The measures proposed include:
- Legal obligation to establish energy saving schemes in all Member States: energy distributors or retail energy sales companies will be obliged to save every year 1,5 % of their energy sales, by volume, through the implementation of energy efficiency measures such as improving the efficiency of the heating system, installing double glazed windows or insulating roofs, among final energy customers;
- Public sector to lead by example: public bodies will push for the market uptake of energy efficient products and services through a legal obligation to purchase energy efficient buildings, products and services. They will further have to progressively reduce the energy consumed on their own premises by carrying out every year the required renovation works covering at least 3% of their total floor area;
-Major energy savings for consumers: easy and free-of-charge access to data on real-time and historical energy consumption through more accurate individual metering will now empower consumers to better manage their energy consumption. Billing should be based on the actual consumption well reflecting data from the metering;
- Industry: Incentives for SMEs to undergo energy audits and disseminate best practices while the large companies will have to make an audit of their energy consumption to help them identify the potential for reduced energy consumption;
- Efficiency in energy generation: monitoring of efficiency levels of new energy generation capacities, establishment of national heat and cooling plans as a basis for a sound planning of efficient heating and cooling infrastructures, including recovery of waste heat.

For public buildings, from 2014 onwards, 3% of public buildings should be renovated each year with energy consumption reductions in mind. This percentage is renovated per year, but in only half of the cases efficiency improvements are included. In practice, this could mean that walls are insulated, double glazing windows are installed in kindergardens, schools or townhouses, roofs are redone and inefficient heating boilers replaced.

How can you force government to spend money in times they have to save money?

The renovation of public buildings would to a significant extent pay for itself through the savings on the energy bills and would also help the economic recovery by stimulating business activity and jobs.

However, still there is a need for upfront investment in the implementation of energy efficiency improvements. For this reason, the proposed Directive includes provisions to strengthen the energy services markets. In these markets energy service companies (ESCOs) would pay for the initial investments and get their money back from the savings on the energy bills. In addition to energy savings, this will create business opportunities and new jobs, for example, for construction companies, equipment providers. The energy service market currently accounts for about € 6 billion. The EU potential for such market is estimated at € 25 billion.

In addition to the private funding, Member States can also use their allocations under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to finance the renovation of public buildings. In the period 2007 – 2013, 4.4 billion Euro where available for that purpose.

New measures for increased energy efficiency to reach 20% goal in the EU

Having in mind that the cheapest energy is the one we do not consume, the European Commission proposed a new set of measures for increased Energy Efficiency.
The proposal for this new directive brings forward measures to step up Member States efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain – from the transformation of energy and its distribution to its final consumption.

More information: Energy Efficiency Directive

Sunday, June 26, 2011

EC approves energy efficiency plan, references set-aside

The European Commission finally approval the energy efficiency plan on Wednesday after reaching a resolution of debates about the impact of extended energy efficiency targets on the carbon market. The plan, which pursues a non-binding, EU-wide reduction in energy use of 20 per cent by 2020, now incorporates an explanatory Memorandum which provides for the possible set-aside of carbon allowances in the event that the market is affected. The plan now requires approval from the parliament and council and it remains to be seen whether these provisions will be incorporated into the main text of the Directive or left without legal effect.

Source: Energy Efficiency and Climate Change News: 24 June 2011, IEA

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Germany will fase out nuclear power in 2022

The German government decided that the country will phase out nuclear power by 2022. Seven out of 17 stations will remain closed, while the rest will gradually be shut down within the next ten years and be replaced by alternative energies, whose development the country now must push ahead with.
This decision will be costly (estimated two billion euros every year) with the consumer paying the bill.
There are also some issues with the security in energy supply and changes in the German energy network.
In nuclear energy, the global leader is France. Germany lags behind. Angela Merkel has concluded that it is better to engage in another sphere and to explore other markets, including renewable energies. There, the future belongs to Germany. One will tuck away the fact that in the meantime Germany will consume more coal and will generate even more CO2, which reached record levels last year. One will neglect to mention that the country will import more Russian gas and – nuclear power from France. But who will report that this decision, radical and energetic, will break up the foundation on which the European Union originally was built, the Europe that pooled the energies of that era, coal and steel?

Yves Harté, columnist from a french newspaper
More information: Where does nuclear exit lead to?

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased very sharply in 2009

In the European Union!

According to the EEA, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 7.1% in the EU-27 and 6.9% in the EU-15. This is mainly due to the economic recession of 2009. There is a minor contribution of renewable energy policies.
Although much of the decrease in greenhouse gases is due to the recession, we are starting to see the results of many EU and Member States’ proactive policies in renewable energy. We hope that policy makers continue to build on this success to cut emissions further.

Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA
Portugal had a decrease of 4.3% in 2009, compared with 2008. Greenhouse gas emissions increased from 1990 to 2009 about 25.5%.
We choose end this commitment period (2008-2012) with 60.1 million tons of CO2. In 2009, emissions were of 74.6 million tons.

Verified 2010 emissions from the EU-ETS point to a 3% emissions increase over the course of the year, which is still far below pre-recession levels. The EU ETS covers more than 12,000 power plants and manufacturing installations, or approximately half of all emissions. This rebound in emissions partly reflects the economic recovery.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Prospect of limiting the global increase in temperature to 2ºC is getting bleaker

According to the IEA energy-related carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2010 were the highest in history, making it unlikely to meet temperature rise to no more than 2º.

IEA estimates that 40% of global emissions came from OECD countries in 2010, these countries only accounted for 25% of emissions growth compared to 2009. Non-OECD countries – led by China and India – saw much stronger increases in emissions as their economic growth accelerated.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Commission asks Portugal to change its end-user price regulation scheme to ensure freedom of choice and protection for consumers

From the Energy DG newsletter:

On 19 May the European Commission formally requested Portugal to bring its national legislation on regulated end-user gas prices in line with EU rules. EU law on the internal energy market foresees that prices are set primarily by supply and demand. End-user prices set by state intervention put obstacles to new market entrants and therefore deprive consumers and companies of their right to choose the best service on the market. The Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to Portugal. If Portugal does not comply with its legal obligations within two months, the Commission may refer it to the Court of Justice.

Full text

Simulators (in portuguese)

Following the commemorations of the energy day, ERSE, the portuguese energy regulator entity released two simulators (in portuguese):
- Electricity labeling - know the source and emissions of the electricity you consume
- Power to contract - help consumers to know how much power they should contract
- Price comparison.

Go to the simulators

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Why Energy Efficiency Doesn't Always Mean Reduced GHG Emissions

According to Ecometrica energy efficiency doesn't necessarily result in reduced GHG emissions.

While improvements in energy efficiency often represent progress in reducing GHG emissions, the relationship may not be 1:1 and should not be assumed to occur automatically, either at the level of a business or in the economy as a whole.
There are a number of ways in which potential emission reductions from efficiency improvements can be “eaten up” in other parts of a business or economy, through “comfort taking”, and financial transfers to other carbon intensive activities. It is therefore important to capture the overall effect of changes in energy usage within a broader GHG accounting framework, such as the WBCSD-WRI Greenhouse Gas Protocol (for businesses) or national GHG reporting systems.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

7 Radical energy solutions

May's issue of Scientific American is dedicated to 7 radical energy solutions:
-Quantum photovoltaics
-Magnetic air conditioners
-Fusion-triggered fission
-Solar gasoline
-Clean(er) coal
-Schock-wave auto engine
-Heat engines
They're risky but they could pay off big.

Check them out here

Hydropower’s Resurgence and the Controversy Around It

An interesting article in the New York Times about the resurgence of Hydropower, its consequences and the possible impacts of climate change.

Hydropower is arguably the most reliable — and certainly the most established — renewable electricity source in the world. It is a good way to back up intermittent renewables like wind, because the dams can add power instantly when the wind dies down, and cut back when there is a steady breeze.

Energy, let's save it!

Energy, let's save it (video produced by the UE)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Portugal with the highest CO2 reduction in the EU in 2010

According to a lot of portuguese newspapers (including Jornal de Negócios) Portugal reduced its CO2 emissions in 2010 14.5%. This reductions is is the highest in the EU, followed by Spain with 11.3%.
In fact, the average for the European Union is CO2 emissions increase of about 3%.
What is lacking from these news is to explain if this is due to energy efficiency increases, renewables, or if this is a sign of the economic crisis and the slowdown of the portuguese economy.
According to Connie Hedegaard, "The average CO2 emissions increase shows the economic recovery in the EU".

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

IPCC report says that 80% of energy supply can come from renewables in 2050

According to a report by IPCC, nearly 80% of the world's energy supply can come from renewables in 2050. This includes hydro and bioenergy and it is estimated to save 220-560 Gt of CO2 eq between 2010 and 2050.

The co-chair of this report working group, Ottmar Edenhofer, recognizes that this is technically and politically very challenging. But consistent climate and energy policy could make it possible.

Read more here

Friday, April 22, 2011

EU ETS emissions could fall 43% if efficiency goal met

EU ETS emissions could fall 43% if efficiency goal met
Ecofys has released a report suggesting that, if the EU’s non-binding target to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 was met, emissions could be reduced by up to 43 percent. It states that policy tools will be much more effective than market mechanisms in achieving carbon goals and that a 20% improvement in energy efficiency would also reduce emissions from installations covered by the EU’s ETS significantly, and would require a revision of the trading parameters. The report considers various adjustments to the EU ETS such as setting aside EUAs for auction or deepening the emissions cap from 21 per cent to 29-43 per cent.

From the IEA newsletter

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

European strategy failing to improve efficiency of energy generation

A report published by GE Energy and the Assembly of European Regions states that European strategies pay too much attention to efficient energy consumption and not enough to the production and delivery of energy.
The only way that the EU can get back on track to meet its target of a 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020 is to embrace energy efficiency across the entire energy value chain – not just end-use or demand-side efficiency

European strategy failing to improve efficiency of energy generation

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The EU Sustainable Energy Week 2011 (11-15 April): Smart Energy for a Sustainable Future

This year the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is about smart energy and it takes place from Monday 11 to Friday 15 April 2011.
This year’s events cover a range of issues, including: energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions (e.g. biomass, solar, and wind energy), reductions of greenhouse emissions, and sustainable energy for transport. However, EUSEW 2011 will largely focus on "Energy efficiency" as main policy theme and message.

Check out here the events in your country/city.

EU Sustainable Energy Week 2011 - Jovens em Acção
Country: Portugal - Lisbon
Event date: from 12 April 2011 to 13 April 2011
Organiser: Associação 5 Elemento

Monday, March 28, 2011

European Council conclusions on nuclear situation in Japan

European Council conclusions on nuclear situation in Japan

The European Council met on 24 and 25 March. On the Japan nuclear situation it said the following:

Recalling that the energy mix is the competence of Member States, the European Council calls for work to be taken forward as a matter of priority on the following aspects:

- the safety of all EU nuclear plants should be reviewed, on the basis of a comprehensive and transparent risk and safety assessment ("stress tests"); the European Nuclear Safety Regulatory Group (ENSREG) and the Commission are invited to develop as soon as possible the scope and modalities of these tests in a coordinated framework in the light of lessons learned from the accident in Japan and with the full involvement of Member States, making full use of available expertise (notably from the Western European Nuclear Regulators Association); the assessments will be conducted by independent national authorities and through peer review; their outcome and any necessary subsequent measures that will be taken should be shared with the Commission and within the ENSREG and should be made public; the European Council will assess initial findings by the end of 2011, on the basis of a report from the Commission;

- the priority of ensuring the safety of nuclear plants obviously cannot stop at our borders; the EU will request that similar "stress tests" be carried out in the neighbouring countries and worldwide, regarding both existing and planned plants; in this regard full use should be made of relevant international organisations;

- the highest standards for nuclear safety should be implemented and continuously improved in the EU and promoted internationally;

- the Commission will review the existing legal and regulatory framework for the safety of nuclear installations and will propose by the end of 2011 any improvements that may be necessary. Member States should ensure the full implementation of the Directive on the safety of nuclear installations. The proposed Directive on the management of spent
fuel and radioactive waste should be adopted as soon as possible . The Commission is invited to reflect on how to promote nuclear safety in neighbouring countries;

- consequences for the world and for the EU need to be closely monitored, paying particular attention to the volatility of energy and commodity prices, in particular in the context of the G20.

Source: Energy DG newsletter

Saturday, March 12, 2011

E10 fuel originates protests in Germany

E10 fuel has 10% biofuels incorporated in the fuel, the goal European Union had for 2020 (currently only 5% biofuel is mandatory).
This fuel was introduced in Germany some weeks ago and it originated a lot of protest because not all engines can burn this fuel.
There are also issues on sustainability related to biofuels. It has not been demonstrated yet that they are not as or more harmful to the environment, specially biofuels that come from palm oil corn and other crops. In a time where food prices are raising due to natural catastrophes and bad crops, we must ask ourselves if this is the right path to reduce energy dependance in fossil fuels.

Biofuel E10 inflames motorists
Germany hosts crisis 'summit' over E10 biofuel

European energy efficiency plan

The European Commission adopted measures for saving energy by creating benefits for households (up to €1000 per household every year), businesses and public authorities.

From the Energy DG newsletter:

Questions & Answers: The Commission's new Energy Efficiency Plan
What is at stake?

Energy savings is one of the most cost effective ways to enhance security of energy supply, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas and other pollutants. This is why in 2007, the EU has set itself a target for saving 20 percent of its energy consumption by 2020.

The 20% objective translates into a saving of 368 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2020 compared to projected consumption in that year of 1842 Mtoe. This needs to be achieved by the EU as a whole.

According to the Commission's most recent projections, which take into account measures implemented at national and European level up to the end of December 2009, consumption in 2020 is expected to be 1678 Mtoe, equivalent to a saving of only 9% relative to the previous projection.

Why was so little progress made?

A number of market and regulatory failures are responsible for that:
- Governance: the prominence of energy efficiency has increased in recent years but is still not sufficiently high on policy agendas, the policy mix is often insufficient or too softly worded to address all challenges and in many cases there is poor policy coordination.

- Building sector (residential and commercial buildings): there is still low awareness on the benefits, low mobilisation of the available funds to cover the initial costs, and a lack of the skills required by the buildings workforce.

- Industry: significant improvements have been achieved but energy is not a major concern in many production processes due to low awareness (especially for SMEs) and low availability of funds to cover the initial costs.

What can be done now? What sectors should be targeted?

Current estimates show that the sectors that deserve the highest attention are residential, transport and tertiary with more limited possibilities also available for industry. Major improvements are also needed in the energy transformation sector if the overall 20% target is to be achieved.

Why is there a need for an Energy Efficiency Plan? What about legislative proposals?

The Communication is a strategy paper that sets out ideas for binding measures to save energy. In a few months, legislative proposals with very concrete binding measures will follow.

As regards national energy efficiency targets, the Commission will firstly monitor the implementation of the national energy efficiency targets set in the context of Europe 2020 and check in 2013 whether they will deliver the European 20% objective. If the 2013 review shows that the overall EU target is unlikely to be achieved, the Commission will, at a second stage, consider proposing legally binding national targets for 2020.

What is proposed in the new Energy Efficiency Plan?

The plan focuses on instruments to trigger the renovation process in public and private buildings, to improve the energy performance of the appliances used in them and to foster energy efficiency in households and the industry. The Communication does not cover transport, as a White paper on Transport is due to come out soon.

For the public sector, the EU Commission proposes the following binding measures:
- Public authorities should be required to refurbish at least 3% of their buildings (by area) each year. This is roughly double of the actual renovation rate. Each refurbishment should bring the building up to the level of the best 10% of the national building stock. When public bodies rent or buy existing buildings, these should always be in the best available energy performance class.
- High standards of energy efficiency should systematically be applied when public authorities purchase goods (e.g. office appliances), services (e.g. energy) and works (e.g. refurbishment of buildings). Due to the large volume of public spending (17% of GDP or roughly €2,000 bn and public buildings are about 12% of the EU build up area) it could serve as a strong driver for higher market uptake of energy efficiency and development of the skills and knowledge required

For the private building sector, the EU Commission proposes:
Member States are called upon to introduce measures – in line with national property law - to address the problem of split incentives. This means how the costs of renovation are split between the tenant and the landlord in case of rented buildings and apartments. At the same time, Member States are called on to support the uptake of Energy Service Companies as catalysts for renovation. Energy Service Companies renovate private houses and apartment at their own costs and make profits by receiving the difference between the energy costs before and after the renovation over a defined period of time.

For energy companies, it is proposed:
Energy companies have to enable their customers to cut their energy consumption. This could take different forms. In the UK for example, large electricity and gas suppliers are obliged by law to cut energy consumption of their customers by a pre-defined level. The energy companies pay for new installations in private houses such as double glazing to cut energy. They get their costs back via energy prices. Another model is to ask Energy Service Companies to do the necessary investments.

For the industry, it is proposed:
Large companies have to do regular and independent energy audits. They have to organize these themselves. Member States are encouraged to develop incentives for companies that introduce an energy management system as a systematic framework for the rational use of energy.

Exchange of best practices in energy efficiency and projects aimed at building capacity on energy management are proposed for micro and small companies.


Read more: European Energy Efficiency Plan: Commission gears up for more savings with renovation and smart meters

Labeling energy consumption

Like calories labeling in food, all products could have a label with its energy intake, the daily energy calories or decal. This would give consumers a user-friendly measure with which they could compare products Additionally, this label would create demand out of public awareness, helping investment in energy efficiency innovations and industries.
Read the article: Making every oil calorie count
Check Tesco's policy on labeling carbon and energyCarbon and energy labeling in Tesco

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

China's big plans for energy efficiency

Over the next five years, China plans to introduce new regulatory measures including energy price reform, carbon trading pilots, energy labelling for consumer products and support for energy services companies (ESCOs).
The government also wants to see a four-fold growth in nuclear power (from 10 GW to 40 GW), 63 GW of new hydroelectric power, 48 GW of wind capacity and 5 GW of solar power. But coal generation will continue to provide 260 GW, although its share of China’s energy mix is predicted to fall from 72% to 63%.
Meanwhile, industrial energy efficiency measures will remain and the nation plans to target ‘aggressive growth’ in seven strategic areas including energy efficient products, renewable energy and new technologies like plug-in electric vehicles and LED lighting.


Read the article in the Energy Efficiency News

Is rising oil prices good news?

According to the UK Energy Secretary, rising oil prices transform low carbon economies.
In the medium term, the US Department of Energy forecasts $108 a barrel by 2020. If oil prices continue on this trend, and gas prices rise to meet them, then our consumers will be winning hands down.

However, the plan to move away from fossil fuels stand on measures in the electrical sector (renewable energy, nuclear power and clean coal and gas). In Portugal oil is mainly consumed by the transportation sector, not in electricity generation and checking IEA statistics for the United Kingdom the trend is the same. Maybe the plan needs some adjustments.


Read the article: Rising oil prices transform low carbon economics, says UK Energy Secretary - Energy Efficiency News

Rebound effect

An interesting article in The New York Times about the rebound effect, that is, improved efficiency may lead to higher production and consumption.
While there’s no doubt that fuel-efficient cars burn less gasoline per mile, the lower cost at the pump tends to encourage extra driving. There’s also an indirect rebound effect as drivers use the money they save on gasoline to buy other things that produce greenhouse emissions, like new electronic gadgets or vacation trips on fuel-burning planes.
Some of the biggest rebound effects occur when new economic activity results from energy-efficient technologies that reduce the cost of making products like steel or generating electricity. In some cases, the overall result can be what’s called “backfire”: more energy use than would have occurred without the improved efficiency.


I think energy efficiency is not in itself a solution to all energy problems, but a piece of a puzzle that includes renewables, conventional fuels, awareness and changing consumption patterns (perhaps the most difficult).

Another article about this in The Huffington Post

Monday, March 7, 2011

Top 20 Green Tech Ideas from Time Magazine

Time article about Top 20 Green Tech Ideas:
-Recycling e-Waste
-Algae Biofuel
-Algae food
-Thin-film Solar
-Molten Salt Storage
-Solar Tower
-Custom Biofuels
-Electric Cars
-Smart Meters
-Lithium-ion Batteries
-Fuel Cells
-Rooftop Wind Power
-Tidal Power
-Green IT
-Green Concrete
-Green Building Materials
-Modular Nuclear Power
-Artificial Photosynthesis
-Waste to Energy
-Biochar

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Lending through Kiva helps Mongolia going green

From the Kiva newsletter:
Ulaanbaatar is ranked the world's 5th worst city for air pollution? The World Bank estimates that 60% of the air pollution comes from household heating systems and the fuel used to keep families warm in the winter. XacBank has partnered with Micro Energy Credits to develop green loans for items such as fuel efficient stoves, solar panels, warm housing covers, and energy efficient fuels.
Mongolia goes green

Monday, February 14, 2011

Energy, electricity and sustainability, by Carlos Pimenta (in Portuguese)

Público published an article about energy, electricity and sustainability by Carlos Pimenta, a former politician.
It's in portuguese but it is worth reading!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Energy Report, 100% renewable energy by 2050, by WWF and Ecofys

The World Wildlife Fund just released The Energy Report, 100% renewable energy by 2050, where it states that 100% renewable energy by 2050 is expensive, but possible.
By 2050 power, transport, industrial and domestic energy demand could be met largely by renewables, with only small residual pockets of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

But for this we need improved energy efficiency in buildings, vehicles and industrial processes to drive down energy demand 15% compared to 2005 levels. Electricity transmission networks would need to be upgraded and smart grids installed and electric transport would have to be adopted on a global scale.

Read more:
Renewables could meet nearly all world’s energy needs by 2050, says WWF
Download the report

EU leaders rule out binding efficiency target

The European Union target of a 20% improvement in energy efficiency is not on track. Current estimates indicate that only about a 10% improvement will be reached.
The EU leaders gathered together last friday just to reiterate a commitment to review the implementation of the 2020 energy efficiency target by 2013, without a legal binding target.
The top priority should be upgrading the energy grid infrastructure.

Read more:
ECEEE
European Council shies away from action on energy efficiency
From the EcoGeek newsletter:
It's classic good news/bad news. The UK's greehouse gas emissions fell from 2008 to 2009, but this was not due to improvements in technology and cleaner industry, but rather simple economic downturn side-effects. While we're glad to see lower emissions levels, this isn't the way we want to see it happen. If the economy can bounce back, and emissions levels remain low, that would be far better. And if production increased and the emissions levels still continued downward? That would be outstanding!

The same in Portugal...

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Clean Transport Systems Initiative

Based on the assumption that oil will be depleted by 2050 and that this is the main energy source for transport overall, supplying nearly 100% of road transport fuels, the European Commission created the Clean Transport Systems Initiative. This is a long term strategy to fully meet the energy demand of the transport sector from alternative and sustainable sources by 2050, such as:
1. Biofuels
2. Hydrogen and fuel cells
3. Electric vehicles

Monday, January 17, 2011

Energy Efficiency Proves Unattractive for Policy Makers in Europe

An interesting article in the New York Timess about energy efficiency policy in the EU. The European Commission has declined to endorse a motion passed last month by the European Parliament that would make a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020 legally binding, but has approved a package of two loans worth €1 billion that is aimed at helping China use more renewable sources and increase energy efficiency.
Why?
The unit cost of reducing a ton of CO2 in Europe can be up to 30 times higher than in China.

Philippe Maystadt, president of the European Investment Bank
and
We simply don’t see the same levels of ambition for energy efficiency in Europe as does China.

Luigi Meli, the director general of the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers, an industry group

Meli also states that Europe could improve its own levels of efficiency and thereby improve its energy security: replacing old appliances, insulating buildings and windows, installing new lighting and using power plants that generated both electricity and heat. In particular, Meli bemoaned a call by the European Commission to invest €1 trillion in projects to build new grids and pipelines during the next decade while setting aside a relatively meager sum, about €150 million, for energy efficiency. Europe would save the same amount of money it would take to build 15 natural gas pipelines by reaching its energy efficiency target of 20 percent.