Powering the world in times of crisis and transition.

Technology could provide the sustainable solutions required to combat climate change and drive forward an inclusive clean energy transition, experts said on the sidelines of the LEAP23 Conference in Riyadh on Monday.

Arab News

How tech solutions are shaping Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition

Oil giants for years have said that they'll pave the path toward energy transition, investing in everything from renewable projects to climate tech startups.

Axios

Oil giants slow down their energy transition talk

The Swedish EU Presidency, the EU Delegation/EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina held today a Conference entitled “Action for energy transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo Times

2023 can be a Year of Action for Energy Transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Dyce-based facility brought in collaboration between Robert Gordon University and Net Zero Technology Centre was launched by  Scottish Government energy secretary Michael Matheson and UK Scotland Office minister Malcolm Offord

Energy Voice

New Aberdeen subsea hub will ‘accelerate the energy transition’

Energy transition requires the involvement of all forms of energy, including oil and gas, to help lower emissions, and the hydrocarbons industry needs to continue investing to guarantee energy security, according to the secretary general of OPEC.

S&P Global

Energy transition needs involvement of oil and gas industry to cut emissions: OPEC sec gen

This weekly round-up brings you the latest on developments in the global energy sector.

World Economic Forum

Here’s what you need to know about how the energy transition is powering up despite the crisis

Malaysia is falling behind in Southeast Asia's green energy push, and may miss its own climate targets unless it offers incentives for large-scale renewables projects.

Eco-Business

Malaysia lags on renewable energy, threatening climate goals

India has committed to net zero carbon emission by 2070 and has repeatedly emphasised that 'dirty' fuels like oil and coal, on which the economy is two-thirds dependent, will have to continue to be in use in the foreseeable future. An immediate shift from low-priced coal and oil to expensive fuels of the future such as hydrogen will entail huge costs in a nation with low per capita income.

Economic Times

Energy transition has to ensure surviving present

Highlighting the challenges on the road to the energy transition, energy expert Daniel Yergin called for making concerted efforts and setting realistic goals to achieve success in this regard.

Call for unified efforts to achieve net-zero goals

"Focus on only energy transition is incomplete," Singh said at the G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting. Energy storage is essential as the world moves towards Renewable energy sources and investment in the area is equally important, he added. Until investment is made in storage, round-the-clock electricity supply cannot be achieved as renewable energy takes centerstage.

The Economic Times

Power minister says global energy transition discourse needs to move together with energy security

Germany requires investments of around 600 billion euros to achieve its 2030 energy transition targets, while current investment volumes remain too low, according to a joint progress report by the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) and consultancy EY.

Clean Energy Wire

Low investment volumes leave 600-billion-euro gap for Germany’s energy transition – report

Methane from cow poop is big business. Fossil fuel companies are ecstatic about the possibilities of the new “brown gold.”

CleanTechnica

Pursuing Profits From Prodigious Piles Of Poop

Buildings are a surprisingly large source of emissions. The energy they use for air conditioning, heating, lights, and so on is responsible for nearly 14% of all greenhouse gases. And buildings waste a lot of energy: Because of inefficient windows and gaps in what’s known as the building envelope, as much as 40% of heated or cooled air leaks out of the typical building. LuxWall and Aeroseal are two innovative companies that are addressing the ways buildings leak energy through windows and ducts.

Bill Gates

Better buildings can help with climate change

A valve failure that caused a flame to flare up briefly on the world's first liquid hydrogen carrier before its first trip from Australia to Japan highlighted the need for strong fault detection systems, an Australian safety report found.

Reuters

Safety improved on world's first liquid hydrogen carrier after malfunction

In the "smood—smart neighborhood" project, 16 companies, four research institutions and an association have been working together, with the scientific support of Fraunhofer, on the future of energy-related renovation measures over the past few years. 

Tech Xplore

Energy-efficient neighborhood redevelopment for affordable housing

Defying supply chain disruptions, and macroeconomic crises, global investment in low-carbon energy transition jumped 31% in 2022, drawing level with fossil fuels.

PV Magazine

Annual investment in low-carbon energy transition exceeds $1 trillion

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met up with EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson who is in Azerbaijan to participate in the 9th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting and 1st Green Energy Advisory Council Ministerial Meeting held in Baku.

Azertag

EU, Azerbaijan exchange views on green energy transition strategy

Dillingham’s local utility, Nushagak Electric and Telephone Cooperative (NETC), placed clean, affordable, and reliable energy at the center of its community resilience goals.

Energy Capital

Dillingham Hydropower’s Potential supported by DOE

It’s Wednesday, February 1, and clean energy investments reached a new milestone in 2022.

Grist

New renewables outcompete 99% of coal plant

As the world moves to electrify everything from cars to heating in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, heat pumps have become more popular.

The New York Times

Are You Switching to a Heat Pump? We Want to Hear From You.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has confirmed that it signed a record €17bn in new financing for renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage and grid infrastructure in 2022.

Edie

European Investment Bank provided record €17bn for energy transition in 2022

Europe’s electricity transition emerges from the energy crisis stronger than ever

Ember

European Electricity Review 2023

But researchers say much more is needed to achieve the country’s climate goals.

Nature

India pledges $4 billion for green energy to cut carbon emissions

Americans can get tax credits to go electric, but only if they have cash upfront. Other countries have programs, too.

How to Get Government Aid to Ditch Fossil Fuels

In this podcast, David Ledesma speaks to Hasan Muslemani and Mathieu Lucquiaud about their forthcoming research paper on the potential to generate negative emissions from European Waste-to-Energy (WtE) sector using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. 

Oxford Inst. for Energy Studies

Carbon Capture from the Waste to Energy Sector

Prioritising the energy efficiency of homes is critical for helping meet the government’s net zero by 2050 target, but for this ambitious goal to be reached, a lot more work must be done.

Innovation News Network

Energy efficient homes made possible with retrofitting

The Department of Energy is proposing new energy conservation standards for new household gas and electric cooking devices, some of which have never been subject to federal efficiency standards.

Washington Examiner

Energy Department proposes efficiency rules for cooking devices after gas stove furor

The energy and climate crises are leading to new proposals to accelerate the approval of renewable energy projects. 

Lexology

Renewable energy transition ahead

When Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to gas shortages and soaring prices, it was used by both governments and fossil fuel companies to justify more oil, gas and coal development.
However, one oil major predicts the longer-term consequence of the invasion will be to speed the transition to renewable energy.

EcoWatch

BP Says Ukraine War and IRA Could Spur Energy Transition 

So far, an energy crisis has been somewhat averted in Europe. But policy and political risk remain. Oil bulls shouldn't have a hard time forecasting energy prices to rise, thanks in part to the EU.

Forbes

Europe Didn't Escape An Energy Crisis Just Yet

China accounted for nearly half of the world's low-carbon spending in 2022, which could challenge U.S. efforts to bolster domestic clean energy manufacturing

Scientific American 

China Invests $546 Billion in Clean Energy, Far Surpassing the U.S.

The bill, NJ S2978 (22R), would put the state on the path to get 100 percent of its electricity from zero carbon sources by 2035 — the most aggressive clean energy goal of any large state.

Politico

New Jersey lawmaker eyes new clean energy targets, but faces opposition from key environmentalists

A newly opened mega-lab allows scientists to create the weather - all to test the energy efficiency of homes.

Euronews

This mega-lab can create sun, snow, wind and rain - all to work out how to build better houses

Smart-home devices make life more convenient, more secure, and even a little more fun, but when used right, they excel at making your home more energy and resource efficient, too.

These 6 Gadgets Make Life Easier and More Energy Efficient

Fitch Ratings requests feedback from market participants on the possible incorporation of energy efficiency considerations into the agency’s RMBS and residential covered bond analyses. 

Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings Seeks Feedback on Energy Efficiency Considerations for Residential Property Prices Assumptions.

Customers are growing significantly more aware of energy impacts on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies of the companies they do business with, both from a personal and professional standpoint. But one of the things the most companies consider fairly easy to score wins on is the environmental factor – particularly with power savings.

Verdict

The connection between energy, ESG, and IT

The energy crisis and how it could be resolved through the clean energy transition were in the spotlight at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos this month.

Davos 2023: Key takeaways on the clean energy transition

Another challenge related to this is getting oil and gas companies to actually increase production in order to enhance energy security.
Windfall taxes, price caps, and calls for more oil and gas production marked 2022 in oil and gas. It looks like we're in for a lot more of the same this year, especially with Western governments doubling down on their emission-reduction ambitions.

Oil Price

Oil And Gas In For Turbulent Year As Governments And Industry Butt Heads

BP has published its Energy Outlook for 2023, predicting three potential scenarios in the global energy markets following a turbulent 12 months.
The three potential scenarios BP accounts for are listed as "net zero, accelerated, and new momentum."
Since the 2022 outlook Russia has invaded Ukraine and the US has introduced the Inflation Reduction Act, prompting changes in the energy firm's predictions.

BP accounts for three 'scenarios' in 2023 Energy Outlook

SMRs present a more affordable alternative to traditional reactors.
For years, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) have been teased as the next big thing in clean energy. They were promised to be the solution to safely and efficiently scaling nuclear energy and the catalyst that would bring the nuclear energy renaissance into full swing. But then they never arrived.

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Are A Game Changer For Clean Power

Baku has also outlined a "framework agreement" with Australia's Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and collaborations with other companies for a further 22GW of renewables.


Azerbaijan Signs String Of Green Power Deals With International Investors

The United States supports South Africa's transition to cleaner energy and will help mobilize financing from the private sector to assist the country which is heavily dependent on coal, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said on Friday during a visit to South Africa.

U.S., EU Make $8.5 Billion Payment To Support South Africa's Energy Transition

Gregg Smith, President and CEO of Grounded Lithium Corp, explains how the company is working to bring lithium production to market in Canada.


Facilitating sustainable lithium production for Canada’s energy transition

High elevated energy prices primarily encapsulated 2022, which were mainly driven by limited energy supply due to geopolitical factors and post-pandemic rebound in global consumer demand.

MSCI

The Journey Toward a Low-Carbon Transition

 U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday lauded South Africa's "bold" participation in an energy transition partnership backed by the United States and other Western nations, but steered clear of mentioning U.S. concerns about Pretoria's planned military drills with China and Russia.



Yellen welcomes South Africa's energy transition, steers clear of Russia mention

With climate change remaining a mainstay of headline news and increasing awareness around the efficacy of eco-friendly devices, now is a great time make sure your kitchen is running as efficiently as possible.

The Independent

Smart ways to make your kitchen more energy-efficient

Reliance on power company for national strategic objectives risks impeding transition to greener energy

Financial Times

Kepco debt crisis exposes South Korean vulnerabilities

Yannai Kashtan and his colleagues propose that universities should sever research links with fossil-fuel companies. We argue that collaboration in some areas is essential to ensure a timely transition to clean energy, given the substantial funding needed to quickly develop and scale up green technologies.



Fossil-fuel funding could speed energy transition

Solar project developers see fewer opportunities to build PV facilities in the northern Netherlands, as grid bottlenecks are becoming worse.

Grid congestion continues to increase in Netherlands

The head of sustainability research at Lombard Odier highlights the huge shifts taking place in the field of low and zero carbon technologies.


CNBC

When it comes to the energy transition, one analyst sees the market making a big mistake

Energy | Energy Transition

The measure could add 10 nuclear power plants’ worth of solar panels atop parking lots

The Washington Post

New French law will blanket parking lots with solar panels

The Danish Energy Agency has suspended reviewing existing and new applications to install new wind farms and other renewable energy projects in the country over a potential conflict with European Union law.

Denmark suspends reviewing wind power projects over possible EU law conflict

A geothermal power project in southeast Saskatchewan is set to begin construction in late 2023.

CTV News

Geothermal project in southeast Sask. to begin in late 2023

Biomass sounds like a perfect alternative power source. But what does it mean if we use organic matter for fuel or electricity?

DW News

How clean is biomass?

Large U.S. electric utilities with renewable power projects in the works will benefit most in the sector from new federal clean energy funding, analysts and researchers said, with those already at the forefront of developing solar and wind cleaning up.

Bigger utilities to benefit most from Biden's clean-energy funds

Chevron Corporation, through its Chevron New Energies business, and Baseload Capital have announced a joint venture to develop geothermal projects in the United States. The two companies will collaborate on driving geothermal opportunities, including identifying the best prospects for development, operations and progressing the next generation of geothermal technologies from pilot to commercial scale.

Market Screener

Chevron and Baseload Capital Create Joint Venture To Explore Geothermal Development Opportunities

The European wind industry has called a sudden Danish government decision to suspend approvals for all offshore wind farms “absurd”

European wind industry attacks ‘absurd’ Danish halt to approvals

Climate change has kept Europe warm enough this winter to save it from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s energy crisis, but the respite may prove fleeting if—perhaps when—those same climate changes cause a crisis this summer. A warm and dry winter usually means a hot and dry summer, and Europe’s short-term relief could keep the continent from preparing for the next wave of energy crunches.

Time

Climate Change Saved Europe From Putin This Winter

The oil giant hasn’t pulled a U-turn on going green, but it isn’t moving in a straight line either.

Bloomberg

Don't Say It Out Loud, But BP Is Back Into Petroleum

A snaking wall of solar panels has been attached to Switzerland's longest dam as the landlocked nation looks to maximise its green energy production in the winter months.

Switzerland's solar dam: Sun and snow the perfect mix for green energy drive

Redesigned turbines are solving the problem that has long plagued hydroelectric dams, churning out green energy while leaving fish unharmed.

reasons to be chearful

The New Generation of Hydropower Dams Let Fish Swim Straight Through

In recent years, China has rapidly become a global leader in clean energy, particularly in the areas of solar and wind power. This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

1. Government policies
2. Investment in research and development
3. A growing market for renewable energy.

Our Great Minds

China: Leading the Way in Clean Energy With Wind and Solar

The Polish Parliament is working to amend the country’s infamous wind turbine act, which currently blocks onshore wind farm development in Poland, but critics say the new version does little to solve the problem. 

Euractiv

Poland’s controversial wind energy law voted on this week

Buoyed by the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and statewide requests for proposals for renewable energy, EIA researchers predict that US project developers will deploy up to 29.1 GW of solar and up to 9.4 GW of energy storage. This represents 70% of the 54.5 GW of new US generating capacity set to enter the grid this year.

US to add 29.1 GW of large-scale solar in 2023

By 2030, some 2% of Germany's land mass is supposed to be designated for wind turbines. Berlin has faced criticism for falling behind on its climate goals, and sees wind power as a way to catch up.

Germany's Scholz pledges rapid onshore wind power expansion

Japan is planning to expand offshore wind power generation beyond its territorial waters and into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in a push to achieve carbon neutrality and ensure energy security amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Japan Times

Japan looks beyond territorial waters for wind power amid green push

Picture a house kitted out with solar panels, their blue cells soaking up the sun's rays. What are your assumptions about the people who live inside? For the subjects of a UK study into ‘solar entitlement’, it was that they’re “posh” homeowners.

‘It’s not fix and forget’: Why understanding how people live with solar panels is vital

The nation is letting power go down the drain, a new study suggests

The Wall Street Journal

The Hidden Hydropower Potential in Man-Made Waterways

The Danish Energy Agency has suspended the processing of offshore wind turbine projects and other renewable energy projects under the 20GW open door scheme.

The proceedings have been put on hold until further clarification of EU legal issues, it said. 

Renews

Denmark suspends open door offshore wind scheme

Renewable energy has become an increasingly important source of power in recent years as countries around the world work to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Some countries have been particularly successful in this regard and have made significant progress in increasing the share of renewable energy in their overall energy mix.

The CSR Journal

Top 5 Countries with 100% Renewable Energy in Electricity Generation

Bhutan will add around 300 to 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generation capacity in the next two to three years to reduce its dependency on electricity imports from India, the Himalayan kingdom's minister for economic affairs said on Monday.

Bhutan to add more solar capacity to reduce reliance on imports

One new onshore wind farm in England with just two turbines, having 1MW of combined capacity, was built last year.

That’s according to new analysis by RenewableUK, which suggests ten new onshore wind projects were installed across the UK in 2022, adding 318MW to the installed onshore capacity – these wind farms are predicted to power a further 209,000 homes.

Energy Live News

Does England’s renewable future sit on two small onshore wind turbines?

Norway's Equinor (EQNR.OL) and British SSE Renewables (SSE.L) are looking into the option of expanding their Dogger Bank Wind Farm offshore project in Britain by 1.32 gigawatt (GW), the two companies said on Monday.

Equinor, SSE look to expand offshore Dogger Bank Wind Farm

In the U.S., several tidal projects are already underway, with more expected to follow this year.

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