Technology

The arguments for district heating are stacking up

District heating and cooling networks are being increasingly considered as opportunities to decarbonise space heating and hot water supply in urban areas

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Where are we now?

Europe’s CBAM still finding its feet

How to reap the benefits of district heating? Make it local

Main Partners

Supporting the mission and journalistic principles behind FORESIGHT Climate & Energy

We face a fundamental change of the cost structure on the supply side and a need for a fundamental change.

Jochen Kreusel

- Market innovation manager in the power grids division at ABB Power

They [the European Commission] are looking at this stuff backwards. I still think they are convinced the short-term market model could work even though they are also starting to realise that you need something parallel, with long term price signals that give investors confidence to invest in infrastructure and allow them to see a decent market return.

Francesco Venturini

- Global head of renewables for Italian utility Enel

Despite tremendous cost decline of wind and solar technologies, electricity prices will probably remain too low to attract the level of investment needed.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

The greatest barrier to overcome is the integration of variable renewables into electricity systems. This will require developing power system flexibility and also a friendly deployment of variable renewables.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

Understanding digital infrastructure

In this week's episode, Sabine Erlinghagen and David examine how grid operators are adapting to the new data-driven world and what it means for the energy transition

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Transport in the Balkans leaves a lot to be desired. Badly connected and lacking investment, the region sorely needs a mobility policy boost. This week, one of the top officials tasked with doing just that joins the show.

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Today’s construction must not become tomorrow’s retrofit

Achieving a much deeper and increased building renovation rate is crucial to achieving the EU’s decarbonisation objective, says Mike Stenson of Kingspan, a building materials company

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The growing impact of oil and gas in offshore wind

Oil and gas companies can bring welcome war chests and skills to the offshore wind sector, but not everyone is happy with the majors’ approach to this globally vital clean energy sector

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Understanding efficient data centres

In this episode of Energy Enablers, Hans Godden from Novenco Building and Industry examines the efficient use of energy within data centres

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Power to the people: UK’s net zero transition

The UK energy system has changed dramatically in the last two decades, with coal usage plummeting and big opportunities for renewables. But the country needs to go full speed ahead with renewable solutions to tackle the climate crisis and lower bills

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Insurers have a responsibility to offer long-term solutions     

Getting to net zero requires the insurance market to think longer term when it comes to pricing, says Charlie Langdale of global insurance group, Howden

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Taiwan rides the waves of new technology

The installation of a wave energy project in Taiwan marks the start of a new era of renewables generation in the island nation. But the combination of new technology and market uncertainty means the journey is far from over

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Policy Dispatch Podcast, Sam Morgan

Sparking the transition

The energy transition will only happen if industry is onboard. Despite what some naysayers claim, many companies have rolled their sleeves up already. This week, we hear from one of the sector’s leaders about their goals and objectives

Electrolysis: what you need to know

The Australian sandbox

Understanding security of supply

Back to school with our attention on energy efficiency

Understanding start-ups

Early signs of a solar revolution in Nigeria

The grid-saving power of demand response

Clearing the runway for SAF takeoff

Here comes the policy police

Understanding carbon offsets

Ireland aims to deliver community energy at scale

What our editors are reading

US needs to exploit Grid-Enhancing Technologies

Reports

The US needs to triple transmission investment and use Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) to support this goal, concludes a white paper by Brattle Group and the Watt Coalition. There are more than 10,000 projects adding up to over two terawatts of new capacity awaiting grid connection. When compared to major new transmission investments, GETs can be implemented much faster and often for a small fraction of the cost. GETs enhance transmission investments, acting more as a tool to augment, akin to a GPS or tire air pressure sensor making driving easier—not by themselves replacing the car.

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Offshore wind growth accelerates

Reports

Offshore wind capacity is expected to grow by 18.4 GW in 2023, a record, with China accounting for over half of this total. By 2030, the annual total will reach 45.7 GW, mainly due to the mature markets of China, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, but emerging markets such as the US, Taiwan, France, South Korea, Poland and Japan will also make significant contributions. From 2031 to 2035, the report says that installations will average 45.6 GW per year, peaking at 48.2 GW in 2035.

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Power sector emissions peak

Reports

After reaching an all-time high globally in 2022, CO2 emissions from power generation will stay steady through 2025. While the EU’s natural gas-fired power generation is forecast to fall, growth in the Middle East will partly offset this. Declines in coal-fired generation in Europe and the Americas will likely be matched by a rise in Asia-Pacific. More than 70% of the increase in global electricity demand through 2025 is to come from China, India and Southeast Asia. However, considerable uncertainties remain over China as it emerges from Covid restrictions.

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