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.

Trane Helping Schools Cut their Energy Bills in Half

The combination of efficiency and renewables is driving big savings at Massachusetts' Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. A performance contract signed with HVAC manufacturer Trane Inc. is expected to slash the districts annual energy spending by 62 percent, or $564,000 each year.

Trane is far more than just a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment, they also offers cost saving projects and renewable energy efficiency solutions. They helped to design and install the district's 1.2-megawatt solar photo-voltaic system including five carport canopies ranging in size from 117 kW to 639 kW. This system now generates around 75 percent of the energy used by the district.

Event - OWP Japan Offshore Wind Power

OWP Japan (Offshore Wind Power) will take place on May 16-17, 2019 in Tokyo, JAPAN. The Key highlights of the agenda include the following:

Offshore wind opportunities in Japan and a regulator’s perspectives. How to construct a successful offshore wind partnership in Japan. Pilot case studies experiences including lessons from Taiwan and Europe. Financing and funding options as well as strategies for offshore wind projects. Offshore wind project risk, mitigation and insurance. Creating the supply chain – needs and opportunities. Offshore wind technologies for the Japanese environment.

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.

Climate Focus at the April 14th Democratic Debate

Climate related issues were a major part of the Democratic Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Brooklyn, New York, on April 14, 2016. While the two candidates agree that climate change is an urgent issue, there are important distinctions between their respective policy positions.  Regardless of who wins the nomination, this debate establishes the Democratic party as the only choice for environmentally conscious voters.

Environmental Differences Between Hillary and Bernie in the Flint Presidential Debate

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders faced off in a presidential primary debate at the University of Michigan in Flint, on March 6, 2016. During this substantive debate some salient differences emerged between the two remaining Democratic presidential contenders.

These differences included Sander's relatively stronger emphasis on combating climate change, and opposition to both fracking and campaign finance from the fossil fuel industry.

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.

Climate and Clean Energy in the Third Democratic Presidential Debate

Watching the third Democratic debate, the conspicuous absence of any questions on climate change could have led viewers to think they had tuned into a Republican debate. Although not a single question was asked about climate change, which is startling given the fact that the debate comes only a week after the COP21 agreement was announced, Sanders and O'Malley did manage to briefly mention climate change and clean energy. Clinton conspicuously ignored the topic altogether. She may think this is a good way to win over Republicans who are disillusioned with front running GOP candidate Donald Trump. However it is also a great way to alienate her base.

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.

France Curbs Vehicles and Decrees Green or Solar Roofs

In France we are seeing efforts to both curb vehicular emissions and increase renewable energy. City officials in Paris have instituted a system that is designed to curb the number of cars that can drive in Paris. This follows new legislation mandating either solar panels or plants on the roofs of all new buildings.

Last March France restricted both GMOs and cars, this March their vehicular restrictions continue alongside the new rooftop initiative.

Infographic - Solar Energy Employment 2010 - 2015

Event - Wind Energy Summit

The 2nd annual Wind Energy Summit will take place on April 16th and 17th in Cape Town South Africa, one of the world’s most exciting new hubs for wind energy in the world. This is the number one commercially based wind energy summit in South Africa. Come and listen to 2015’s most qualified wind energy experts speak about how to implement the financial and legislative changes which will continue to drive industry success into the future.

UK's Renewable Energy (Wind) Records in 2014

In 2014, the UK continues to set records as it increases the power it generates from renewable sources of energy. In 2014, the electricity needs of more than a quarter of UK homes were powered by wind energy.

According to newly released data from National Grid, a record amount of clean electricity was generated by wind power in 2014. Wind power generated enough electricity to supply the needs of more than 6.7 million UK households last year. This represents a 15 percent increase over the amount generated in 2013 (up from 24.5 terawatt hours to 28.1TWh in 2014). Averaged over the course of the entire year, this amounts to just over 25 percent of all UK homes.

The combination of large scale wind farms and smaller sites connected to local networks, provided 9.3 percent of the UK’s total electricity supply in 2014, up from 7.8 percent the year before.

Event - Mexico WindPower 2015 Exhibition and Congress

Mexico WindPower 2015 will take place on February 25 - 26, 2015 at the Centro Banamex in Mexico City. This event will bring together key players of the wind power industry including representatives from three levels of government, companies, industry experts, academics and professionals. All will meet face to face to see how the supply chain can help achieve Mexico’s 35 percent renewable energy targets by 2024. The Mexican government’s new renewable energy targets mean that doors will be opening for the wind industry and its stakeholders, creating business opportunities.

Infographic - Wind Energy in America

Event - Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture 2014

This event will take place on December 1 - 3, 2014, at the Maritim Hotel, Düsseldorf, Germany. This International conference on MW wind blades will look at design factors, composites manufacturing and performance. The 5th AMI international conference on Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture is organized by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI). It will start with an evening Welcome Cocktail Reception and exhibition on 1st December followed by a 2-day technical programme (see the bottom of the page).

African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA)

The African Renewable Energy Alliance, or AREA, is focused on expanding research, development and use of renewable energy throughout Africa. This organization is composed of utility companies, industries, policy makers, and civil society members.

This organization facilitates the exchange of information on new technologies as well as workable funding mechanisms for renewable energy. Ultimately AREA expedites renewable energy production in Africa.

African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF)

A new fund is bringing renewable energy funding to Africa. Developing renewable energy takes resources and this is hard to come by in much of the developing world.

The African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) was established was launched in June 2014 with $100 million and it is expected to climb to $200 million within a year. The fund dedicated to supporting small to medium independent power producers (IPPs).