Markets

Design, operation and management of energy markets based on renewables and greater efficiency

10 min
16/February/2023

Danish PtX dreams begin with offshore wind

 By the end of this decade, Denmark aims to be a net exporter of green energy and fuels, helping Europe meet its net zero ambitions while curbing the reliance on energy imports. It rests on a massive expansion in both renewable energy generation and electrolysers as well as hydrogen infrastructure
12 min
03/February/2023

Europe’s sleeping giant is waking up

 A country with significant renewables potential and one of the fastest-growing heat pump markets worldwide, Poland’s energy transition is being hampered by a stubborn coal fleet and grid limitations. A growing level of support and investment among the general public may help ease its path
3 min
23/December/2022

Our top five articles from 2022

 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
3 min
23/December/2022

Our top five opinions from 2022

 Take a read of our most popular opinions from 2022
3 min
23/December/2022

Our top five podcasts from 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
13 min
28/September/2022

Grid operators plan for a severe climate future

 Electricity networks are buckling under the impact of increasingly frequent and severe climate events. Given the amount of climate change already locked into the atmosphere, this is an issue that will only worsen, forcing assets and infrastructure to adapt. The tools to deal with the problem are available—but it will take a lot of money and political will to avert disaster

Section Partners

Supporting the focus on identifying barriers to the energy transition and how to dismantle them

10 min
24/February/2022

Grid curtailment jeopardises Vietnam’s transition

 Vietnam’s government has set some ambitious goals for renewable energy, matched by generous subsidies. But the impact of substantial renewables growth will be limited if the power cannot reach the end-users
11 min
11/February/2022

Isolated Iberian Peninsula unable to maximise renewables potential

 The Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe is blessed with wind and solar resources that could help the rest of the region reduce its reliance on natural gas—but whether it ends up as electricity or another energy carrier, getting it out remains difficult
3 min
12/January/2022

Our top ten from 2021

 Take a read of our most popular articles from 2021
10 min
07/January/2022

Green hydrogen hurdles complicate Southeast Asia’s net-zero goals

 With the hydrogen economy gaining momentum in Europe, the industry is also stimulating interest in other regions of the world where power systems are more reliant on fossil fuels. However, green hydrogen in Southeast Asia has different questions that need answering
16 min
09/November/2021

What net zero looks like around the world

 Cities are key enablers of the energy transition. But each city in every area of the world will have a different set of priorities and ideas of how to achieve net-zero by 2050. FORESIGHT examines a city from each continent—and a research station—to show what this global action looks like from seven different perspectives
10 min
03/November/2021

LNG lingers on in Asia

 Southeast Asia’s reliance on liquified natural gas is putting the region’s carbon reduction targets in jeopardy. But cost considerations currently outweigh environmental concerns
8 min
20/October/2021

Rule change promises South African renewables options beyond REIPPPP

 South Africa’s energy transition has faltered in recent years with the ripples of political turmoil spreading to its regulatory frameworks and state-owned utility, hampering renewable energy auction rounds and transmission system development in the process. But a proposed change in the law may provide a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for renewable energy developers
12 min
15/October/2021

Southeast Asia attempts to kick the coal habit

 Despite significant renewables potential in Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia, the burning of coal remains an important element of the economy. Changing attitudes and the climate emergency mean these countries are looking for an exit route but it will not be easy
8 min.
15/September/2021

Japan’s relationship with nuclear clouds net-zero plans

 Japan is one of more than 130 nations pledging to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, its path may be more complicated than anticipated given Japan’s reliance on both fossil fuels following public scepticism over nuclear power
14 min
29/July/2021

Emerging markets gain from the digital evolution of energy

 Technology start-ups in Africa are making use of the roll-out of mobile phone networks to bring digital innovation to remote areas through pay-as-you-go models for services that can increase prosperity. For the first time, smallholders can afford solar panels for electricity while others can sign on to thriving energy-as-a-service business models that do not require an initial capital outlay
8 min
22/July/2021

Local energy auction trials made possible by digitalisation

 CASE STUDY: The Cornwall Local Energy Market in the UK trialled algorithms to optimise auctions of power increase or load reduction offers while allowing simultaneous purchases of flexibility by different levels of grid operation
7 min.
30/April/2021

New supply chain law could help spur the energy transition

 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
9 min.
12/March/2021

Flexibility experiments work to cut the system costs of solar and wind

 Network operators tasked with managing the steadily bigger swings in demand and supply that accompany greater uptake of solar and wind energy have had to choose between constraining clean generation, which adds to operating cost, or increasing grid capacity requiring capital expenditure. A less costly way is to buy system flexibility in a competitive but carefully coordinated process. Trials in areas of Britain challenged by grid constraints are producing encouraging results 
9 min.
26/February/2021

Brexit may boost global cooperation on carbon trading clubs

 Brexit, by excluding the UK from Europe’s carbon emissions trading system, has stripped British industry of the value of its carbon credits. Rescue options being considered by the UK government include linking back to the EU market, but also taking the risk of joining an immature multinational carbon trade cooperation
13 min.
26/January/2021

Federal green grid vision gone missing in America

 As the United States legislates for higher shares of renewables, the development of its straggling and disjointed grid network to match its clean energy ambitions is lagging behind
8 min.
11/December/2020

The vital missing links of the energy transition in Europe

 No matter how much wind and solar power is generated, the energy transition cannot be achieved without a built-for-purpose electricity infrastructure. Gaps in the interconnections of Europe’s grid network and lack of capacity on the wires where it is needed most will halt green electrification of energy.
8 min.
01/December/2020

Electrification for decarbonisation

 It is the affordability of renewables that makes direct and indirect electrification of heating, transportation and some industrial processes possible. Ridding the world of carbon pollution is no longer a pipedream, but a job to get done
10 min.
30/October/2020

Potential for Europe to pivot to China on carbon trade as UK and US pull back

 The structure of the European Union’s 15-year-old carbon trading market is long overdue for an update if it is to keep pace with growing national ambitions to halt climate-destroying activity and geopolitical shifts
9 min.
27/July/2020

Renewables as grid flexibility tool gives glimpse of the future

 As economic activity declined under the pandemic so did demand for electricity. Fossil fuel generation was squeezed off the grid by renewable energy projects with lower marginal costs. Fears that the higher proportion of fluctuating supply would destabilise power systems proved unfounded and grids remained stable. If renewables are to be tasked with keeping the grid secure, alternative mechanisms, already available, must be introduced soon
8 min.
15/June/2020

A pale green bond for the energy transition

 The concept of transition bonds began as an idea to sell bonds that were difficult to market as green bonds, mainly natural gas bonds, but has evolved into an opportunity to accelerate decarbonisation efforts
15 min.
27/February/2020

Where to direct support for hydrogen without wasting money

 As with any technology, the key to cost reduction is the rate at which the technology is deployed, but the hydrogen economy is moving forward slowly
13 min.
27/November/2019

Offshore wind pushes boundaries in North Sea

 Europe’s offshore wind revolution requires a more integrated approach
7 min.
13/November/2019

Big business sees route to zero carbon electricity

 Online platforms can deliver transparency around PPAs, bring down transaction costs and enable new entrants in the market
25/October/2019

Germany wrestles with gas

 Germany’s first climate law does not include fossil gas, but behind the scenes discussions about the role of gas in the country’s energy mix, particularly hydrogen gas, is intensifying
7 min.
Germany is exploring the potential of PPAs to provide revenue to owners of wind farms and photovoltaic installations after state support expires in the coming years23/September/2019

Germany feels its way to competitive green electricity market

 Germany is exploring the potential of PPAs to provide revenue to owners of wind farms and photovoltaic installations after state support expires in the coming years
9 min.
Technological innovation is key to the wind industry reducing reliance on rare earth materials from China22/August/2019

Wind industry prepares for “bottlenecks and price hikes” in rare earth metals

 Technological innovation is key to the wind industry reducing reliance on rare earth materials from China
7 min.
Fossil fuel subsidies must end for a clean energy transition to take root everywhere, insists Frank Rijsberman, head of the Global Green Growth Institute25/July/2019

Developing countries can leapfrog to a clean energy economy

 Fossil fuel subsidies must end for a clean energy transition to take root everywhere, insists Frank Rijsberman, head of the Global Green Growth Institute
10 min.
17/June/2019

The business case for hydrogen remains elusive

 Questions around definitions, targets and the funding of green hydrogen in Europe still need answering
10 min.
Methane leaks across the supply chain need to be better measured so appropriate steps can be put in place to reduce emissions from this highly potent greenhouse gas17/May/2019

The case for stopping methane leakage

 Methane leaks across the supply chain need to be better measured so appropriate steps can be put in place to reduce emissions from this highly potent greenhouse gas
9 min.
Solar photovoltaic has clear potential to help decarbonise cooling and, in some climates, contribute significantly to the energy transition in heating22/April/2019

Solar PV for heating too

 Solar photovoltaic has clear potential to help decarbonise cooling and, in some climates, contribute significantly to the energy transition in heating
8 min.
Geothermal heating is gaining a foothold, but accounts for only a small share of the renewable heat sources used globally. The benefits are plenty. Long-term, it is cost-effective, stable and clean, but initial costs are high04/April/2019

The heat source beneath our feet

 Geothermal heating has plenty of potential as a long-term solution to decarbonise heating and cooling systems
10 min.
As policy makers grapple with the problem of how to decarbonise the transport sector, biofuels remain mired in controversy18/March/2019

Biofuels fight for a future in Europe

 As policy makers grapple with the problem of how to decarbonise the transport sector, biofuels remain mired in controversy
8 min.
European policymakers are convinced, the energy transition cannot rely on electrification alone. “Molecules” will be needed, but the new molecules will not be based on natural gas, and there will be a lot less of them11/March/2019

Will Nord Stream 2 be the last great European gas pipeline?

 European policymakers are convinced, the energy transition cannot rely on electrification alone. “Molecules” will be needed, but the new molecules will not be based on natural gas, and there will be a lot less of them
14 min.
07/February/2019

The Dutch Energiewende: Goodbye to natural gas

 The Netherlands faces an unprecedented transformation as it aims in the next 30 years to switch off its gas supplies in favour of cleaner fuels
15 min.
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is testing how a 100% renewable power system can be achieved with internal low voltage distribution networks, flexible consumption and generation from local production points31/January/2019

Fail safe renewable energy power systems

 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany is testing how a 100% renewable power system can be achieved with internal low voltage distribution networks, flexible consumption and generation from local production points
14 min.
Parked electric vehicles plugged into the electricity network with charged batteries could sell stored power back through the network. Nissan is the first to qualify a car battery system to sell its stored power into an existing market for primary regulation services to maintain grid frequency28/January/2019

Real life vehicle-to-grid seeks market opportunities

 Parked electric vehicles plugged into the electricity network with charged batteries could sell stored power back through the network. Nissan is the first to qualify a car battery system to sell its stored power into an existing market for primary regulation services to maintain grid frequency
10 min.
A start-up based in Scotland is confident it has found an affordable silver bullet to allow the world’s grids to deal with massive amounts of renewables, but system operators are not so sure18/January/2019

Modernising the grid without breaking the bank

 A start-up based in Scotland is confident it has found an affordable silver bullet to allow the world’s grids to deal with massive amounts of renewables, but system operators are not so sure
13-14 min.
Power capacity markets on both sides of the Atlantic face an uncertain future as flexibility becomes a hotter commodity than capacity.14/January/2019

Incapacitated markets

 Power capacity markets on both sides of the Atlantic face an uncertain future as flexibility becomes a hotter commodity than capacity.
6-7 min.
Financial problems are currently the biggest block to wind energy achieving its full potential in India and with elections forecast for 2019, the situation will not be resolved in the coming months07/December/2018

Economic woes take wind out of India sales

 Financial problems are currently the biggest block to wind energy achieving its full potential in India and with elections forecast for 2019, the situation will not be resolved in the coming months
9-10 min.
Trucks and ships could be two means of transport running on hydrogen gas, produced using electricity, in the coming years28/November/2018

Hydrogen makes its case as a niche clean transport option

 Trucks and ships could be two means of transport running on hydrogen gas, produced using electricity, in the coming years
11-12 min.
The focus on awarding contracts to the lowest bidders among established renewables technologies under Europe’s auctions of power purchase contracts could prevent less developed forms of renewable energy from reaching their potential07/November/2018

Strength in diversity

 The focus on awarding contracts to the lowest bidders among established renewables technologies under Europe’s auctions of power purchase contracts could prevent less developed forms of renewable energy from reaching their potential
10-11 min.
Consumers will become more active market players as the amount of renewable energy in the grids increases, providing, for a fee, greater flexibility for power systems and increasing decarbonisation29/October/2018

Power On Demand

 Consumers will become more active market players as the amount of renewable energy in the grids increases, providing, for a fee, greater flexibility for power systems and increasing decarbonisation
7-8 min.
Reforms to Europe’s carbon trading system have pushed up prices. Gas was expected to be the main beneficiary, but wind and solar may be the real winners given challenges in the gas market and the falling price of renewables26/October/2018

Wind and solar could be biggest winners from carbon market reforms

 Reforms to Europe’s carbon trading system have pushed up prices. Gas was expected to be the main beneficiary, but wind and solar may be the real winners given challenges in the gas market and the falling price of renewables
9-10 min.
The IPCC report makes it clear global warming needs to be kept below 1.5C and that renewables and energy efficiency must replace fossil fuels. Europe continues, however, to invest in gas infrastructure, potentially jeopardising decarbonisation and the clean energy transition17/October/2018

New gas infrastructure risks fossil fuel lock in

 The IPCC report makes it clear global warming needs to be kept below 1.5C and that renewables and energy efficiency must replace fossil fuels. Europe continues, however, to invest in gas infrastructure, potentially jeopardising decarbonisation and the clean energy transition
7-8 min.
12/September/2018

Clean energy economy on the way, but serious challenges remain

 The energy transition is advancing quickly and peak fossil fuel demand is on the horizon, says a report from Norway-based energy consulting and services firm DNV GL. But it is also warns of the immensity of the task ahead
6-7 min.
A Nordic broker has launched a new product aiming to ensure that renewable energy certificates known as Guarantees of Origin actually lead to additional clean power07/September/2018

A way for companies to buy green electricity that really makes a difference

 A Nordic broker has launched a new product aiming to ensure that renewable energy certificates known as Guarantees of Origin actually lead to additional clean power
6-7 min.
Biomethane, a type of renewable natural gas, is gaining ground as a way of converting organic waste into low carbon fuel for use in vehicles.30/July/2018

A local transport solution

 Biomethane is gaining in profile as a clean solution to powering fleets of cars at a local level as well as a practical response to the need to better manage organic waste from food and farm production and to cut greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles
5-6 min.
The advantages for big companies of buying their electricity directly from wind and solar generators at a fixed long-term price is bringing what could become a major new flow of capital into the renewable energy market, but outdated legislation remains a barrier02/May/2018

Barriers brake power of big business to drive renewables

 The advantages for big companies of buying their electricity directly from wind and solar generators at a fixed long-term price is bringing what could become a major new flow of capital into the renewable energy market, but outdated legislation remains a barrier
9-10 min.
The ups and downs in demand for electricity have long made the flexible operation of power systems a must, so increasing that flexibility to also accommodate variations in supply from renewables is not that big a challenge. Having a clear definition of the term can only help the energy transition27/April/2018

Flexibility and the energy transition

 The ups and downs in demand for electricity have long made the flexible operation of power systems a must, so increasing that flexibility to also accommodate variations in supply from renewables is not that big a challenge. Having a clear definition of the term can only help the energy transition
11-12 min.
20/April/2018

Gas in transition

 Cleaning up gas is key to its future in a decarbonised energy mix
10-11 min.
Ships emit vast volumes of black carbon from their smokestacks, a much more powerful carbon forcer than carbon dioxide13/March/2018

The tide is turning

 If the global marine transportation sector were a country, it would be ranked sixth in terms of CO2 emissions. A number of progressive leaders in the industry are starting to explore alternative ways to propel their ships, but more investment is needed.
10-11 min.
energy efficient buildings12/March/2018

Creating a marketplace for energy efficiency in Europe

 How the non-energy benefits of energy efficiency are often overlooked, yet vital if investments for energy savings are to increase substantially
6-7 min.
14/November/2017

The not so essential role of electricity storage

 Special report - Electricity Storage part 1/5: Belief about the need for electricity storage is no substitute for hard evidence. Countries furthest ahead with transitioning to renewable energy are doing so without incurring the cost of storage. As a foundation for decision making, belief is a dangerous quicksand. Investors beware.
6-7 min.
14/November/2017

What storage is for and what it cannot do

 Special report - Electricity Storage part 2/5: Filling in for wind and solar over days of calm and cloudy weather is not a task storage can perform, even if it was a power system requirement
8-9 min.
14/November/2017

Storage has to multi-task to earn its keep

 Special report - Electricity Storage part 3/5: By relieving grid bottlenecks of surplus supply and providing bursts of power when needed, storage can add sufficient value to find routes to profitability, but they are limited
7-8 min
14/November/2017

No sign of a silver storage bullet

 Special report - Electricity Storage part 4/5: No means of affordably storing large volumes of electricity in all geographies exists, but a robust grid, connected over a wide area, can deliver green energy reliability
6-7 min.
14/November/2017

Grid scale storage not essential but nice to have

 Special report - Electricity Storage part 5/5: The uptake of renewable energy does not increase the need for storage capacity, but stored power can help grid operators flexibly operate power systems, provided it can pay its way
2-3 min.
14/November/2017

Key takeaways at a glance

 Essential knowledge and key indicators of the prospects for grid scale electricity storage technologies
1-2 min.
14/November/2017

The grid is a giant battery

 Grid operators need incentives to use the grid as a large scale battery
7-8 min.
14/November/2017

No compromise on security of supply

 In green and flexible power systems, services like rapid cures for hiccups in grid frequency can be valuable
7-8 min.
07/July/2017

Spending pennies to save pounds

 Theme on Energy Efficiency part 1/5: The payback period for energy saving investments can be painfully long and the risk of no payback frighteningly big. There are ways to tear down both barriers
6-7 min.
07/July/2017

Scandinavia shows the way for clean transport

 Theme on Energy Efficiency part 2/5: Norway has the world's highest proportion of EV owners and Denmark is electrifying ship propulsion. It is time to change the way electricity is billed for
6-7 min.
07/July/2017

In the hands of engineers

 Theme on Energy Efficiency part 3/5: Better engineering everywhere can cut industrial energy use in all applications
4-5 min.
07/July/2017

A path to growth and welfare

 Theme on Energy Efficiency part 4/5: Companies are not investing enough in energy efficiency in order to reap its benefits. This is the economic oddity of energy efficiency, says Brian Motherway, head of energy efficiency at International Energy Agency
2-3 min.
07/July/2017

Make the real cost of energy visible

 Theme on Energy Efficiency part 5/5: What it takes is the right information and the right prices
31-32 min.
17/March/2017

In search of a cure for cannibalisation

 Special report part 1/3: As the wind blows, the sun shines, and green generation rises, demand is saturated. Market prices fall, but renewables are caught cannibilasing their own investment case
7-9 min.
17/March/2017

Electrification of heat and transport

 Special report part 2/3: The bigger the pool of energy demand, the less the ripples in supply from renewable energy are felt
8-9 min.
17/March/2017

Electricity markets need fixing

 Special report part 3/3: IEA boss Fatih Birol discusses the need and the tools for bettering the business case for renewable energy
7-8 min.
11/October/2016

Waste into wealth

 In the circular economy, the Danish town of Kalundborg is the archetype example of industrial symbiosis
3-4 min.
11/October/2016

Welcome to resource city

 A long disused industrial site is reborn as a highly advanced waste sorting and recycling centre
9-10 min.
11/July/2016

Powerfully balanced

 How to integrate renewables into an energy system while keeping lights on
6-7 min.
01/July/2016

Price signals spur flexibility

 Flexibility in supply and demand comes with a price tag but the right incentives get the job done