According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy efficiency is the one energy resource that every country possesses in abundance and is the quickest and least costly way of addressing energy security, environmental and economic challenges. Stefan Jungcurt elaborates on recent initiatives which have sought to boost energy efficiency.
Year: 2017
Indigenous Mexican solar engineers want to change their rural communities
Women from indigenous communities come together at the Barefoot College in India to learn about solar power. When they return home, they are responsible for building and maintaining solar panels. Emilio Godoy takes a look at the experience of Cecilia Moreno, from the Comcaac indigenous group in Mexico.
How to make nuclear look cheap: use sloppy economics
Various studies on future low-carbon electricity mixes suggest that the least expensive option is one with nuclear along with solar and wind mixed in. But the economists overlook the cost impact of ramping. Craig Morris takes a look.
Why China is serious about becoming the global leader on climate change
The Trump administration’s hostility towards climate action and research leaves a void in global climate politics. Could China step up? David Tyfield says yes.
Minnesota community solar projects aimed at low-income subscribers
A Minneapolis community solar garden developer has begun building five projects aimed at reducing electricity costs for low-income consumers. Frank Jossi of Midwest Energy News takes a look at the communities who are benefiting from solar and why Minnesota in particular has succeeded in helping develop prosumers.
Desert solar project could power 5 million EU homes
A consortium of clean energy developers has applied for permission to build a gigantic solar power plant on the edge of the Sahara desert, which will be linked to Europe by a number of undersea cables and could power over 5 million homes. Sam Morgan of Euractiv explains.
National Energy Transition: Morocco Makes First Steps in Carbon Market
The State Secretariat for Sustainable Development organized the National Carbon Market Conference on Friday, July 7 in Rabat. There it announced Morocco’s integration to the carbon market, two weeks after the adoption of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. Chaima Lahsini of Morocco World News explains.
The modern wind sector – and the Energiewende – turns 30 today
When was the Energiewende born? Lots of dates are tossed around, but one German press report argues that it all started today 30 years ago, when a test wind farm was connected to the grid. Craig Morris says it’s as good a starting point as any for Germany’s energy transition, but the project really launched the global wind power sector.
Is the Tesla Model 3 our ride to a sustainable future?
Automakers should see this month’s news—and the news yet to come—as a call to action for a bolder transportation vision. Traditional engines are on their way out, but it’s not enough to just replace gas with electric. Eliot Metzger and Alyssa Fischer explain.
Wind power hit record low price in German auctions. Few are happy.
Germany’s Network Agency has announced the results of the second round of onshore wind auctions. The new price is 4.29 cents/kWh, a quarter lower than the 5.71 cents from the first round. So why all the criticism? Craig Morris explains.