The Energy Endgame: Renewables vs Fossil Fuels

The combination of market forces and changing public sensibilities are driving a major shift in the energy landscape. The need for renewable energy to combat climate change is incontrovertible, while a plethora of warnings tell us that we are rapidly exhausting our carbon budgets. Ending fossil fuels is a mathematical imperative if we are to have a chance of keeping temperatures from rising above the upper threshold limit of 1.5 - 2.0 C.

In 2016 we were already seeing how diminishing profits were contributing to the fall of fossil fuel and the rise of renewables  In 2020 the momentum away from fossil fuels is undeniable. They are being shunned by investors, insurance companies and banks. Fossil fuels are approaching the end of their life cycle while renewables are becoming increasingly attractive due to the declining cost of solar and storage.

Workshop - Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa

A workshop on Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa will take place on January 29 – 30, 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Although US President Donald Trump has called Africa a "shithouse", the facts dispute his characterization, particularly as it relates to another topic he dislikes, renewable energy.

Africa is an ideal location for solar, wind, and geothermal. It is the sunniest continent on Earth and has a large coastline, where wind power and wave power are abundant. Geothermal power has the potential to provide considerable amounts of energy in many eastern African nations due to a 5,900-kilometer rift.

One Planet Summit Highlights the EU's Climate Leadership

As evidenced by the recent One Planet Summit, the EU and its member states are leading climate action. In the EU, governments, businesses and investors are all engaged in hopeful efforts and initiatives designed to combat climate change.

On the anniversary of the signing of the Paris Climate agreement on December 12, French President Macron convened a summit to encourage private and public financing for the implementation of the Paris agreement. The One Planet Summit was attended by governments, corporations and other organizations. At this event the European Union announced that it would invest at least €9 billion (US$10 billion) on clean energy, sustainable cities and agriculture. Even Theresa May, the less than green-minded prime minister of the UK, acknowledged the need for wealthy nations to help the developing world. She pledged to contribute £140 million to help poorer countries manage climate change.

France Shows Trump What Climate Leadership Looks Like

France is leading climate action. The host nation for the signing of the historic Paris Agreement has repeatedly refuted Trump's climate denial while adopting a raft of measures as part of an ambitious national climate plan.  It is fair to say that with its support of science, climate focused political agenda, and progressive climate plan France is one of the most sustainable countries in the world.  French efforts have been ongoing for years and include everything from mandatory sustainability reporting to the problem of food waste. In May France announced that it was moving forward with 17 GW of clean energy investments. These are just some of the reason France has emerged as a global climate leader.

Energy Storage Market Overview and Forecasts

The stored energy market has grown exponentially but this is nothing compared to what we can expect to see in the coming years. Massive growth is expected all around the world and this will contribute to an exponential increase in distributed power in developed nations. This will also allow developing nations to forego the need for a expensive investments in grid infrastructure.

The combination of increasing-efficiency and decreasing-cost will keep driving demand for energy storage in 2017 and beyond.

Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion technologies accounted for more than 95 percent of new energy-storage deployments in 2015. There is no reason to believe that this trend will not continue. Given all the options on the table lithium-ion batteries have proven to be the most suitable type of storage for EVs and stationary energy across the grid, from large utility-scale installations to residential systems.

Event - Renewable Energy World International

This event will take place on December 13-15, 2016 in Orlando Florida at the Orange County Convention Center (North and South Halls). Renewable Energy World International tracks are designed to be made horizontally applicable across all technology sectors. Hear from our track champions on what is being covered during these impactful conference sessions.

Building Relationships

Make connections with 20,000 other renewable energy professionals from around the globe. Learn from each other during multiple networking events.

Event - Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America 2016

This event will take place from December 13 to December 15, 2016 in Orlando Florida. This BIG PICTURE' conference, will cover the full landscape of renewables. Attendees will hear from several Renewable Energy World International Committee Members about what HOT industry topics are being covered in this years conference.

The Allure of Low Carbon Investment Opportunities

Investors are waking up to the opportunities afforded by the low carbon economy. The benefits of emissions reduction extend far beyond averting a climate catastrophe. Decreasing our GHG emissions will help create jobs, alleviate poverty, improve public health and even provide greater food security.

The math supports climate action and the economics are becoming harder to refute. Market forces are driving a steady flow of capital and investors are finding it impossible to ignore the return potential of low carbon technologies.

Germany Continues its Green Dominance in 2015 (Video)

Europe has the highest concentration of national sustainability efforts in the world. In 2015 Nordic countries once again assumed a leadership role along with France. In addition to being an economic giant Germany is also an environmental titan. Germany is ranked fourth in the Global Green Economy Index.and seventh in a RobecoSAM study. Germany has distinguished itself as an early adopter of clean power and it has a secure place in history as a renewable energy pioneer.

France: One of the Most Sustainable Countries in 2015

In 2015 France stood out as one of the most sustainable countries in the world due to the scope of their national efforts and the wider economic implications of their actions. While Nordic countries and their neighbor Germany have ranked very highly on a number of national sustainability assessments, France must be including on any list of the greenest European countries in 2015. France is listed among the top ten countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranking of 180 nations. 

As hosts of the COP21 climate talks last December French leadership was essential. This is particularly true in light of the Paris terror attacks that took place just prior to the start of the final round of negotiations. Under the leadership of Francois Hollande France has been a global climate leader. In addition to being the host of the most important climate conference in human history, France introduced a number of sustainability measures in 2015. From managing food waste to supporting renewable energy France showed that it is walking the talk last year.

Infographic - Sustainable Energy in America (2015 Factbook)

Scotland Leads UK Renewable Energy Generation

Scotland derived half of its electricity needs from renewables last year. Renewable energy, once dismissed as a pipe dream by some, is becoming a reality for many nations including Denmark and Germany. According to data released by the Scottish government in June, Scotland generated 49.8 percent of all of its electricity needs from renewable sources in 2014.

The Scottish government has met its target of meeting 50 percent of electricity demand with renewables one year ahead of schedule. Scotland is now setting its sights on the goal of meeting all of its electricity demand with renewables by 2020.

Renewable Energy Milestones in Germany, Denmark and the US

Germany, Denmark and the US are clean energy leaders that are proving that renewables can meet the electricity needs of modern nations. In Germany and Denmark they are producing so much power from renewables that they are exporting clean energy. In the US renewables continue to grow accounting for the vast majority of new energy production in the first half of 2015.

Iran Poised to be a Renewable Energy Superpower

Now that Iran has reached a nuclear agreement with six world powers it is well positioned to become a global energy superpower that includes renewables. Iran's geographical position means that the nation has enormous potential for the production of different kinds of renewable energies, including geothermal, solar and wind power. Prior to the signing of the deal Iran was already working to expand its renewable energy sector. For both economic and environmental reasons Iran has indicated that it intends to be a serious player in renewable energy going forward.

Event - Renewable Energy India Expo (REI)

The REI event will take place on September 23 - 24, 2015 in Noda, India. The sessions at REI are interactive panel discussions. These sessions bring together leading Indian and global renewable energy developers, financial experts, sector knowledge experts and investors. Discussions will address key issues and trends related to renewable energy, with a particular emphasis on solar and wind power in India.

Event - Central American Renewables Investment Summit (CAMRIS)

This event will take place on July 13, 2015 - July 14, 2015 from 8:25 AM - 6:00 PM at the Hotel Riu Plaza Panamá Calle 50, Panama City, Panama.

France Makes Sustainability Reporting Mandatory

There is a growing trend towards mandatory sustainability reporting and France is leading the way by introducing obligatory carbon reporting for financial institutions. This means that pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors in France will have to disclose environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

These ESG issues, including risks associated with climate change, are of increasing interest to investors as the world transitions to a low carbon economy. Under the new rules investors will need to set targets and measure progress. They will also be held accountable if these targets are not met.

Moving Towards 100 Percent Renewable Energy in the US

We are moving towards 100 percent renewable energy. While we are still a long way off (currently the world only gets about 1 percent of its total energy needs from renewables) we now know that it is possible. We are seeing promising reports about the feasibility of 100 percent renewables in nations and regions all around the world. This disproves the claims of the fossil fuel lobby and their political minions in the Republican party.  The urgent need to reduce emissions alongside declining costs give renewables unstoppable momentum.
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There are no technological or economic reasons why we cannot completely replace fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy. In addition to curbing climate change causing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy also improves human health. Minimizing climate impacts and reducing health costs would generate trillions of dollars of cumulative savings.

Australian State Meets Energy Needs with Renewables

One Australian state has been able to meet all of its power demands with renewable energy. This corroborates reports which suggest that 100 percent renewable energy in Australia is achievable. On a few occasions the state of South Australia produced enough renewable energy to supply all the power needs of its 1.7 million citizens.

For brief periods on Sept. 27th and 28th the state produced more wind power than the state’s total energy demand. Between 9.30 and 6pm on Tuesday, September 30th 2014, all of South Australia's 1.7 million inhabitants derived their power from renewable energy.

Australia Can go 100% Renewables due to Falling Costs

A new report reiterates the finding that Australia can supply all of its energy needs from renewables. Due to declining costs of emissions free technologies like wind and solar Australia is well positioned to derive all of its energy from renewables by 2050 the report says.

This report corroborates other studies which indicate that Australia could supply all of its energy needs with renewables.

The new report produced by the WWF and the Australian National University (ANU) indicates that Australia can go entirely renewable without incurring massive adjustment costs or depressing economic growth. To get there Australia will need, clear targets, stable national policy and regulatory efforts that support investment in renewables. The growth of renewables could be further stimulated if the government allowed the use of international permits.