Energy

The global energy system is set to undergo a revolution similar in magnitude to that experienced by the communications and computing industry, according to the former CEO of SSE, Ian Marchant: “Now there are already one million small generators from community-owned wind, small scale biomass, rooftop wind and solar, and …

The collapse of Peabody – the world’s largest private coal corporation – may speed the transition to renewable electricity generation according to Claudia Assis at Market Watch: “Since 2010, more than a third of coal-fueled power plants have been retired or are scheduled to be retired, and the market for …

The UK government’s claim that fracked gas is a ‘clean, low carbon transition fuel’ rests solely on the tight regulations designed to avoid the mistakes made in the USA. It appears, however, that potential drillers are deterred by such heavy-handed regulation.  Even operating under the Wild West conditions seen in …

New York start-up TransActive Grid enabled the first ever peer-to-peer paid transaction of energy in the USA yesterday.  In doing so, the company aims to usher in a revolution in the way energy markets operate. Traditional energy markets are based around big and expensive national and international infrastructure that favours …

In Britain, the EU and USA, we tend to leave our future energy supplies to the “free market”.  It is true that governments provide exploration grants and subsidies to oil and gas producers.  Nevertheless, decisions about where and when to drill are left to the directors of the energy companies. …

If we are to have any chance of keeping global warming below two degrees, we have to wean ourselves of gas.  So at face value the plan to convert Leeds to a hydrogen city looks like a great idea.  However, since hydrogen does not naturally exist anywhere on Earth, whenever …

Ofgem economist David Osmon – writing in a personal capacity – argues that one of the solutions to the UK energy crunch is to introduce a system of progressive VAT rates to replace the current five percent flat rate. Osmon suggests  removing VAT altogether for standing charges, keeping the current …

In the battle to cut carbon emissions, we have one hand tied behind our backs because renewables are intermittent.  Wind turbines cannot provide power on a still day, and solar panels don’t work when the sun isn’t shining.  For this reason, a continuous baseload of power from coal, gas or …

We’ve all seen those Facebook posts about how this or that country just produced all of its energy from renewables.  That has to be a good thing doesn’t it?  Well, it turns out that, no, it is not a good thing after all.  Why?, because having too much electricity is …

The troubled EDF nuclear power station development at Hinkley Point in North Somerset is already set to be the most expensive building on earth; even before the builders inevitably fail to live up to the promise to provide it “on time and within budget”.  But even if, by some miracle, …