There are plenty of reasons to be wary of oil and gas company plans to boost low-carbon hydrogen production but experts say it could be key to the energy transition
Green hydrogen is set to have a significant role in decarbonising the steel industry. Policies are essential to help close the cost gap with production methods relying on fossil fuels and ensure that green steel plants come online in the next few years. Emerging Power-to-X technologies, in particular iron ore electrolysis, could also play a part
Baseload generation becomes redundant on grids when solar meets demand during the day. As the hours where baseload generation is required falls, it is becoming even more expensive
Having missed out on early-mover advantage and unable to compete with other markets in terms of scale, a UK battery sector will need to focus on high-quality niche applications if it wants a share of the pie
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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Accounting for as much as one-fifth of overall CO2 emissions, industrial clusters are emerging as an attractive target for decarbonisation. With most of the focus on CCS and the hydrogen economy so far, industrial clusters are starting to see their ripples of impact spread further afield
Seeking cheaper alternatives to expensive and time-consuming physical upgrades, grid operators are increasingly turning to digital solutions. While some projects are already underway, slow-changing regulatory frameworks mean the rollout is sluggish
Rocketing bills and worries over energy security sound like the perfect excuse to pump investments into large-scale infrastructure schemes—but in Europe at least, appetite for big projects is limited
North Africa has enough solar and wind energy to easily power the whole of Europe but plans to export renewables generation across the Mediterranean have so far floundered. The burgeoning clean hydrogen sector could change the picture
The emergence of low-carbon, distributed energy systems and innovative business models in Africa could provide tips to operators on the future of grids elsewhere in developed markets
A tumultuous past 12 months has seen energy security placed firmly at the centre of many discussions around the world. Improving security takes many forms from low-carbon generation to greater energy efficiency in a bid to lower demand. These topics feature in FORESIGHT's top articles of 2022
Entering the audio sphere in 2022, FORESIGHT Climate & Energy's podcasts have given our listeners a chance to hear directly from key personalities in the energy sector and discuss how to achieve a decarbonised economy in the most expedient way. Take a listen to our top episodes from 2022
Local community groups are often seen as being against renewable energy sites or other projects to support the energy transition. But there is a rise in different ownership and funding models that includes local residents who do want to support the quest for a decarbonised economy
The cost of the energy transition as it stands is astronomical. But the returns are even greater. The longer investment targets are missed and policy frameworks are neglected, the pathway to a decarbonised economy becomes longer and more expensive. Added support for the developing world is also needed
The cost-effectiveness and flexibility of solar photovoltaic power are leading to a raft of new energy business models to help middle- and low-income households participate in the energy transition
Protecting the natural environment is central to combating catastrophic climate change. But the scale of growth in renewables capacity puts biodiversity at risk. Developers and investors alike are now placing great emphasis on the environmental footprint of their assets
Electrification of the energy-intensive chemicals sector is not always possible so finding alternative low-carbon processes is climbing the industry's agenda
Investors are desperate to put money into sustainable ventures, but entrepreneurs trying to bring novel cleantech concepts to market complain about a lack of funding. Without support, Europe could risk a brain drain in cleantech innovation
The heavy industry sector has made significant progress in increasing energy efficiency in recent years and further gains are possible with greater electrification, digitalisation and changes in production processes. Meanwhile, material efficiency measures reducing demand for products like steel and cement offer major potential for energy savings for customers
Reducing the amount of energy we use is a key part of cutting emissions by 2050, but asking people to be more frugal could be challenging in a society that prizes consumption. Getting incentives right can shift attitudes
The climate catastrophe is provoking action in the boardroom as pressure mounts among the workforce. Management teams are changing business plans to be more climate-friendly or risk losing talent
The construction sector already emits 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with demand for new buildings and renovation of old buildings set to increase in the coming decade. A push towards a circular construction sector could help save energy and cut emissions
The lack of skilled workers in renewable energy jobs is one of the most underestimated barriers to the global energy transition. The industry is struggling to find talent, while educational institutions are failing to keep up with such a fast-evolving environment
Municipal electricity utilities have a long history in Europe, with more emerging as cities look to lead the energy transition. The model has obvious advantages but has also suffered setbacks in some markets. In an increasingly competitive landscape, using the benefits of private partners may be the way forward
Advocates of so-called digital twins—simulated computer modelling of technologies at work—see them as vital tools for managing the complexity of multi-level electricity systems and the digital control of energy-efficient buildings
Once regarded as a high risk gamble, buying green electricity directly from generators under a mutually agreed power purchase agreement (PPA) has become big business in the commercial and industrial sector. City authorities eager to cut their electricity bills and buy renewable are looking to get into the market. The new demand is set to drive big growth in renewables
Shifting some of Europe’s transport needs to the rails can contribute to the energy transition. But complicated and differing cross-border regulations and carbon-intensive power mixes are minimising the rail sector’s impact
As technology costs come down and microgrids become increasingly “smart” using more advanced digital tools, their role in integrating distributed energy resources is set to expand. By providing flexibility to the local distribution system and deferring the need for expensive transmission upgrades, microgrids are facilitating the electrification and decarbonisation of the energy networks
Five years ago, technologists excitedly started suggesting how to use blockchain for energy applications and a raft of start-ups followed, sporting distributed ledgers for the power sector. Today, the word "blockchain" is seldom heard in energy circles. While the hype may have been overblown, work continues instead on a quieter revolution to the one that was promised
Around 50% of the shift from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy has been a digitised transition to 2020, says Energinet, Denmark's power system operator. As the world digitises further, the already vast volumes of data will only increase in mass. Advances in Artificial Intelligence technology and machine learning tools provide ways of processing this tsunami of data into a new world order
Data is having a major impact on our world. In energy, an influx of data is changing the roles of each player across the value chain but it needs to be gathered and processed in a suitable way to have the greatest influence. Ensuring the data is right to begin with is essential to the success of the energy transition
Offsetting emissions is fraught with problems and critics fear these programmes could distract from the real goal of keeping fossil fuels in the ground
An upcoming EU supply chain law may see multinational oil and gas companies face a rise in lawsuits stemming from the environmental impacts of their operations. These traditional energy firms may consider driving more investments into less-risky renewables as a result
Small businesses face a hard time decarbonising due to financial constraints, a lack of expertise and time, and technological hurdles. The rise of new business and financing models, plus a helping hand from larger companies, are helping them on the path to carbon neutrality
Companies involved in activities that carry high climate-related, financial and reputational risks can no longer be certain of securing funds. Investors today have a choice. Green energy has become a comparatively better bet, with a lower risk profile and demonstrably higher returns. Companies can either realign their business strategies or watch institutional investors walk away
Cement and steel manufacturing are two of the most carbon intensive industries in the world. Electrification can play a role in decarbonising both, though technology innovation is expensive and removing all emissions from the processes is a tall order
Three concerns are said to be hindering the uptake of electric passenger cars—high purchase cost, fear of a flat battery, and lack of charging infrastructure. But cost has fallen, the range of car batteries now rivals that of a full tank of fuel and recharging a depleted battery when the need arises is proving to be easier than expected
The most sought after building insulation products will not necessarily be the cheapest and most effective, but those manufactured with the lightest carbon footprint
Politically there is broad support in Denmark for financing the green transition through taxes and a carbon emissions tax proposal has been welcomed by parties across the political spectrum, but industry opposition could ultimately quash the idea
The proposal from the European Commission for a European Climate Law means all companies must put decarbonisation at the heart of their business strategies, says Alexandre Perra, member of the board of French utility EDF
A broad range of efforts and investments in energy efficiency and clean energy has allowed Palsgaard to reduce emissions to zero in the majority of its factories
Efficiency measures have cut greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry, but if the sector is to be part of the climate solution, radical action to adopt new cleaner fuels is the only answer
Using waste heat from large data centres to heat homes and offices may seem like a no-brainer, but making a business case for getting heat from out-of-town data centres to urban areas at a correct temperature is complicated and costly
FORESIGHT Editor in Chief Philippa Nuttall Jones speaks to Matilda Axelson about how policy makers in Europe can create an industrial strategy that supports heavy industry’s clean energy transition and ensures it remains competitive globally.
Belgium’s complicated political structures keep the country’s climate action ambition low. Mars, a US corporation, is showing the way forward with 100% renewable energy and greener transport
The cement sector has accepted the size of its carbon footprint, but it will take greater pressure from regulators and NGOs to force the industry to totally change its ways
Regulators and the wind industry are paying increasing attention to repowering existing wind farms to ensure prime wind sites continue to be exploited and renewable energy targets are met
Heavy industries are slowly starting to wake up to the reality of the energy transition, but full decarbonisation of the steel, cement and petrochemicals sectors is a significant challenge that will require new processes and significant amounts of clean energy
The construction of vast data centres in Denmark by large tech giants will boost the Danish economy, but risks impacting the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix
Placing wind and solar photovoltaic facilities on the same site may sound attractive in theory, but the reality is more complicated and many experts suggest this will only make sense in a limited number of cases
Smart meters are seen as central to managing more flexible power systems, but more cooperation between Transmission System Operators and local Distribution System Operators are needed if this technology is to really help move forward the energy transformation
As the deadline for EU member states to update or develop national cyber security strategies fast approaches, FORESIGHT looks at what companies should be doing to ensure cyber resilience in the energy sector given new challenges posed by the transition to a decarbonised economy and a more decentralised power system.
Interview: Charlotte Søndergren, head of heat planning for Danish HOFOR, questions whether collective heating is the best long-term solution for all countries or whether smaller, individual heat pumps offer a better alternative in some areas.
This interview with Casper Kirketerp-Møller, the CEO of Clever, is part of a series of interviews that FORESIGHT will publish ahead of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) and Nordic Clean Energy Week (NCEW), which will take place in Copenhagen and Malmo in May 2018.
This interview with Ole Bigum, head of operations at K2 management, a Danish consultancy providing engineering services for developers of wind and solar power, is part of a series of interviews that FORESIGHT will publish ahead of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) and Nordic Clean Energy Week (NCEW), which will take place in Copenhagen and Malmo in May 2018.
This interview with Peder Andreasen, CEO of Danish transmission system operator (TSO) Energinet.dk, is part of a series of interviews that FORESIGHT will publish ahead of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) and Nordic Clean Energy Week (NCEW), which will take place in Copenhagen and Malmo in May 2018.
Lithium-ion batteries are sufficiently mature to have developed a competitive edge for some uses, but flow batteries hold greater potential for meeting expectations for grid scale storage
Batteries score in their ability to rapidly inject bursts of electricity into the grid, but demand for the service is not greater in countries furthest ahead in transitioning to renewable energy
An international group of companies has come together in a Danish experiment that sells the power stored in parked electric cars to the grid operator for use as frequency regulation
By pricing the value of wind energy according to when it is needed most, markets stimulate the development and sale of wind turbines configured to generate output over longer periods in lower winds, reducing the variability of their production
Waste pollution in product lifecycles is set to ease: beer bottles made from wood‚ toilet rolls from sour milk; biodegradable plastic packing; and LEGO bricks in a new material
Denmark’s offshore wind tender model is being looked to as a shining example of how to drive down cost through proactive government action. Others may adopt the market model, too
Farming in the desert might seem a bit optimistic. An Australian greenhouse uses concentrated solar power to produce energy and become independent of fresh water supplies. The result is 17,000 tons of tomatoes a year