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