European policymakers are convinced, the energy transition cannot rely on electrification alone. “Molecules” will be needed, but the new molecules will not be based on natural gas, and there will be a lot less of them
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is testing how a 100% renewable power system can be achieved with internal low voltage distribution networks, flexible consumption and generation from local production points
Parked electric vehicles plugged into the electricity network with charged batteries could sell stored power back through the network. Nissan is the first to qualify a car battery system to sell its stored power into an existing market for primary regulation services to maintain grid frequency
The focus on awarding contracts to the lowest bidders among established renewables technologies under Europe’s auctions of power purchase contracts could prevent less developed forms of renewable energy from reaching their potential
Reforms to Europe’s carbon trading system have pushed up prices. Gas was expected to be the main beneficiary, but wind and solar may be the real winners given challenges in the gas market and the falling price of renewables
The IPCC report makes it clear global warming needs to be kept below 1.5C and that renewables and energy efficiency must replace fossil fuels. Europe continues, however, to invest in gas infrastructure, potentially jeopardising decarbonisation and the clean energy transition
The energy transition is advancing quickly and peak fossil fuel demand is on the horizon, says a report from Norway-based energy consulting and services firm DNV GL. But it is also warns of the immensity of the task ahead
Biomethane is gaining in profile as a clean solution to powering fleets of cars at a local level as well as a practical response to the need to better manage organic waste from food and farm production and to cut greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles
The advantages for big companies of buying their electricity directly from wind and solar generators at a fixed long-term price is bringing what could become a major new flow of capital into the renewable energy market, but outdated legislation remains a barrier
The ups and downs in demand for electricity have long made the flexible operation of power systems a must, so increasing that flexibility to also accommodate variations in supply from renewables is not that big a challenge. Having a clear definition of the term can only help the energy transition
If the global marine transportation sector were a country, it would be ranked sixth in terms of CO2 emissions. A number of progressive leaders in the industry are starting to explore alternative ways to propel their ships, but more investment is needed.
Special report - Electricity Storage part 1/5: Belief about the need for electricity storage is no substitute for hard evidence. Countries furthest ahead with transitioning to renewable energy are doing so without incurring the cost of storage. As a foundation for decision making, belief is a dangerous quicksand. Investors beware.
Special report - Electricity Storage part 3/5: By relieving grid bottlenecks of surplus supply and providing bursts of power when needed, storage can add sufficient value to find routes to profitability, but they are limited
Special report - Electricity Storage part 4/5: No means of affordably storing large volumes of electricity in all geographies exists, but a robust grid, connected over a wide area, can deliver green energy reliability
Special report - Electricity Storage part 5/5: The uptake of renewable energy does not increase the need for storage capacity, but stored power can help grid operators flexibly operate power systems, provided it can pay its way
Theme on Energy Efficiency part 4/5: Companies are not investing enough in energy efficiency in order to reap its benefits. This is the economic oddity of energy efficiency, says Brian Motherway, head of energy efficiency at International Energy Agency