Opinion

Leading thoughts from energy transition experts

5 min.
22/September/2020

Figures do not lie: electricity speeds up on decarbonisation

 Europe’s electricity industry is decarbonising at an increasing pace, with the rise of renewables and drop in coal-based power generation. But progress on the ground will be bigger once the remaining barriers are removed, argues Eurelectric’s Kristian Ruby
5 min.
The biggest barrier in the transition to EVs is the lack of charging infrastructure15/September/2020

Charging an EV should be as easy as charging a smartphone

 The biggest barrier in the transition to electric vehicles is the lack of charging infrastructure. While large-scale projects will ultimately deliver the most effective results, traction will come from multiple smaller applications and innovations, argues Jean-Christoph Heyne from Siemens’ Future Grids business unit
4 min.
09/September/2020

An EV future is in our hands

 On World EV Day, the stage is set for electric vehicles to become the mainstream mobility choice, as long as the main actors play their part, says Frank Mühlon, head of ABB’s Global E-Mobility Infrastructure Solutions
6 min.
04/September/2020

A clean-energy future is reliant on sustainable mining and cement

 The mining and cement industries contribute over 10% of the world’s CO₂ emissions but demand in both industries remains high. It is, therefore, imperative that decarbonisation efforts should be accelerated, argues Thomas Schulz, CEO of engineering firm FLSmidth
4 min.
19/August/2020

Why do we favour renewables over energy efficiency?

 It is beyond discussion that the global climate emergency calls for solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and requires decarbonisation. Often, the spotlight is aimed at renewable energy as the solution, but in fact, we can achieve 44% of the required global reductions by capturing the potential of energy efficiency, argues Lars Knaack of Novenco
4 min.
12/August/2020

Wind was resilient throughout the crisis, will be decisive in the recovery

 The strong figures posted by the wind industry in the troubled first half of 2020 were testament to the resilience of the industry. This further shows how vital wind energy will be in achieving a zero-carbon economy, argues Ivan Komusanac from trade body WindEurope
4 min.
05/August/2020

Expensive oil means we are failing

 By competing with each other in clean transport technology, Europe and China have the opportunity to keep oil prices, demand and production down, says Carl Pope, environmentalist and climate advisor to Michael Bloomberg
4 min.
29/July/2020

The quest for carbon-neutral cities

 A development being planned in Sacramento, California, could provide a blueprint to tomorrow’s cities. Many of the answers are already here, but some research remains, says Geeti Silwal from design firm Perkins and Will
4 min.
22/July/2020

The pandemic has changed the course of energy transition

 The Covid-19 crisis has forced society to collaborate on the recovery. This shows the same effort can occur in the fight against climate change, argues Adriano Pires of the Brazilian Center for Infrastructure and Elbia Gannoum from Brazil’s wind energy association
6 min.
15/July/2020

Getting off gas: future risks for energy poor households

 The gas package and renovation wave in the European Green Deal raise new opportunities for ending Europe’s dependence on gas. We need to think about what this means for energy poor households, writes Louise Sunderland from the Regulatory Assistance Project
5 min.
10/July/2020

Reducing waste in manufacturing is imperative for the wind industry

 With careful planning and utilising materials within a circular economy, the wind industry can reduce its waste during the production process, says Olivier Fontan, the new CEO at blade manufacturer LM Wind Power
3 min.
08/July/2020

Renewables face competitive test

 Energy systems across the world suffered a shock as the Covid-19 health crises forced carbon-intensive industries, aviation and other transport, to a virtual standstill. The effects of the slowdown could result in a stiff test for renewables competitiveness, argues Juan Alario from GNE Finance
5 min.
02/July/2020

Finance ministers need to coordinate for a resilient economy

 The fiscal response to the Covid-19 crisis is an opportunity to establish a green economy but finance ministers across the globe need to coordinate their actions for the biggest impact, says Dileimy Orozco from E3G
5 min.
25/June/2020

Near-term headwinds slow renewables’ march

 The renewable energy sector cannot escape the impact of Covid-19, but a redrawing of the landscape and its resilience through the pandemic will lay the foundations for future growth, says Arnaud de Giovanni, Global Power and Utilities Transaction Advisory Services leader at EY
5 min.
19/June/2020

Pay attention to young voices and quit wasting our future money

 The 2050 targets are closer than you think. The impacts of today’s decisions will directly affect the young people already in the workforce. Monika Skadborg, chairperson of the Danish Youth Climate Council, argues it is time those voices should be heard in the climate debate
4 min.
18/June/2020

How we reduced our energy bills by 60%

 A year of living with a heat pump has required some lifestyle changes, but after doing some number crunching, Jan Rosenow from the Regulatory Assistance Project found the numbers speak for themselves
3 min.
08/June/2020

Ocean energy is critical to recovery

 Offshore wind attracts investment, jobs and has the ability to severely cut emissions worldwide, which is why the world should aim for 1,400 GW of capacity by 2050, argue Benj Sykes and Stephen Bull, Co-Chairs of Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition (OREAC), a global coalition of offshore wind companies and international institutions on World Oceans Day (June 8)
6 min.
28/May/2020

Why clean hydrogen can be part of the just transition

 In an EU that aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, production of green hydrogen can be a new job creating industry, argues Tjisse Stelpstra, Member of the Council of the Province of Drenthe in the Northern Netherlands, providing an economic boost for regions like his and Europe as a whole.
3 min.
19/May/2020

Responding to the growing demand for methane-differentiated gas

 As methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors come under increasing scrutiny, Cate Hight and Laura Hutchinson from the Rocky Mountain Institute, a US-based NGO, call for a differentiated gas standard that focuses on climate change and sets the bar for acceptable methane emissions
6 min.
18/May/2020

Transition to just

 The clean energy transition must be socially fair for everyone, not just those living in regions that are heavily reliant on coal for fuel and jobs, says Louise Sunderland from Regulatory Assistance Project
5 min.
14/May/2020

Making the EU ETS and carbon pricing fit-for-purpose

 Recent Eurelectric analysis reveals the need to reconsider and improve a number of policies and priorities as part of the European Green Deal — the EU Emissions Trading System and an effective carbon pricing for non-ETS require careful consideration, says Petar Georgiev, Eurelectric Policy Advisor climate & e-mobility
3 min.
13/May/2020

Reducing emissions while creating jobs

 With strong leadership from government, the world can achieve a 100% clean energy economy and get out of the recession caused by Covid-19 measures, argues Solomon Goldstein-Rose, a US climate activist and author
3 min.
07/May/2020

Financing smart buildings: contributing to your core business

 Making buildings greener and more energy efficient makes environmental and economic sense if the right financing solutions are used, says Thomas Geiselbrecht, Financing Solution Partner, Siemens Financial Services
7 min.
06/May/2020

What Covid-19 can teach us about climate action

 The impact of Covid-19 on decarbonisation efforts is likely to be short-lived if governments can learn lessons around the effective response to a crisis, says Paul Micallef Global Digital Grid Leader at EY
6 min.
30/April/2020

Managing crises by learning fast – from COVID-19 to climate

 Investments spent on dealing with the social and economic impacts of Covid-19 in Europe should focus on achieving the highest value outcomes in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, insists Simon Skillings from think tank E3G
6 min.
29/April/2020

Covid, climate and hopes for recovery

 Despite the constant flood of bad news related to Covid-19, there are signs we are also witnessing unprecedented global dialogue, innovation and collaboration, offering hope that climate change and clean energy can be at the forefront of post-pandemic plans, says Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities
4 min.
28/April/2020

The vaccine to future crises is sticking to climate neutrality

 While helping workers and companies survive the current crisis, the European institutions should confirm and accelerate the EU’s path to carbon neutrality by 2050, including fixing emissions reduction targets in line with science, says Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE)
3 min.
22/April/2020

Covid-19: Fear of debt should convince governments to go green

 The best way to persuade treasuries and heads of state to put the environment and clean energy at the heart of packages aimed at stimulating economies after the coronavirus is to focus on debt-related risks, argues Brook Riley from Rockwool Group
5 min.
20/April/2020

Building energy efficient, sustainable homes for all

 As governments across Europe attempt to deal with the economic and social impacts of coronavirus and how and when to end strict confinement measures, the time is right to invest to ensure every person can live in a healthy, connected and sustainable home, argues Davide Cannarozzi, CEO and Founder of GNE Finance
6 min.
14/April/2020

The cultural shift that is underway

 The move to a clean energy economy will not happen overnight, but profound changes are happening and business is playing a leading role, argues Andrew Hoffman, Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan, US
4 min.
06/April/2020

Climate justice is the heart of climate action

 The idea the transition to a clean energy economy should also be as fair as possible to everyone has, until now, been seen by many as a nice to have. Andrzej Blachowicz and Julie-Anne Hogbin from Climate Strategies argue developing countries in particular can achieve greater and more inclusive climate action by placing the just transition at the heart of their climate plans
6 min.
01/April/2020

A just transition can help end energy poverty

 The clean energy transition needs to be fair to everyone, with laws and financing to ensure the poorest households are not penalised by the switch from fossil fuels to renewables and benefit from the change, argues Marilyn Smith, Founder & Executive Director of The Energy Action Project Relative to income, energy use and energy prices have a greater impact on the household budgets of poorer people
5 min.
30/March/2020

EU Green Deal in a time of pandemic

 The European Green Deal sets a clear, sustainable path for Europe to move forward from the economic and social impacts of Covid-19, speed up the energy transition and create jobs, says Julian Popov, Fellow at the European Climate Foundation and former Bulgarian Minister of the Environment
4 min.
23/March/2020

Green Deal for heat — smart sector integration is key

 As the EU puts forward plans for a European Green Deal aimed at getting the region to climate neutrality by 2050, Jan Rosenow and Richard Lowes from the Regulatory Assistance Project argue for much more attention to be paid to the decarbonisation of heat
5 min.
16/March/2020

What will it take to start — and sustain — a renovation wave?

 With the European Commission planning to announce details of a building “renovation wave” in the autumn of 2020, Susanne Dyrboel, vice-chair in Renovate Europe explains what the EU executive should be considering to make its vision reality
4 min.
09/March/2020

Golden opportunity for an industrial strategy for solar

 Ahead of proposals this week by the European Commission for EU industrial policy and circular economy strategies, Christian Westermeier, President of SolarPower Europe, argues for solar to receive the boost it needs to help Europe achieve its carbon neutral ambitions
6 min.
Bart Biebuyck from the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking argues the value of emission-free hydrogen must be judged by more than its price tag versus fossil fuels02/March/2020

Making the business case for clean hydrogen

 Europe can lead the world on emission-free hydrogen, but it needs to solve the dilemma that industry offers the greatest potential demand, while the profit margins are in transport. Bart Biebuyck from the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking argues the value of emission-free hydrogen must be judged by more than its price tag versus fossil fuels
6 min.
24/February/2020

Global collaboration can unlock clean energy solutions

 Despite differences in system architecture, regulation and technology adoption, a global community of electricity distribution operators can leverage knowledge, innovation and lessons learned to deliver a better energy future, say EY’s Serge Colle and Dana Hanson
5 min.
17/February/2020

Clamping down on financial greenwashing in the EU

 Sébastien Godinot, Economist with the WWF European Policy Office, welcomes new European laws that will make it much clearer which investments are genuinely sustainable and help shift funding from fossil fuels to clean energies
5 min.
10/February/2020

Polish coal boiler phase-out: an inspiration for clean heat

 Poland gets a lot of bad press for its over reliance on coal, but Jan Rosenow and Richard Cowart from the Regulatory Assistance Project highlight how the country is putting in place regulations that could see it become a leader in ending the use of coal to heat homes
6 min.
27/January/2020

Getting to zero carbon buildings requires zero carbon codes

 Two-thirds of countries do not have energy building codes. This needs to change if buildings are to become part of the solution to the climate crisis, argues Jim Edelson, Director of Codes and Policy at New Buildings Institute, a US-based not-for-profit organisation
8 min.
23/January/2020

Will gains outweigh the risks of an accelerated energy transition?

 Carbon emissions must be more than halved to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C. The rapid rise of renewables is not progressing fast enough to head off catastrophic global warming. Energy companies must reshape themselves and prepare for an accelerated energy transition, says Serge Colle, EY Global Energy Advisory Leader
4 min.
22/January/2020

Finance sits at the heart of Europe’s Green Deal

 Europe is moving fast to make the financial innovations required to underpin its Green Deal, write Tom Jess, Policy Advisor, and Kate Levick, Programme Leader, at E3G, an independent climate change think tank
4 min.
16/January/2020

Finding the investment “wow” factor in green buildings

 Massive investment opportunities exist for those deciding to use their cash to help renovate buildings, says Jennifer Layke, Global Director of Energy at the World Resources Institute
3 min.
14/January/2020

Just Transition Fund needs all EU countries to ditch coal

 The Just Transition Fund presents an opportunity to get the EU on track towards climate neutrality, but only if it requires all countries to present phase out plans for high-emission technologies like coal burning, argues Rebekka Popp, researcher at the climate change think tank E3G
4 min.
09/January/2020

EU Green Deal: carbon austerity or economic boost

 The European Green Deal, launched in December 2019, is an ambitious policy proposal that will try to agree a carbon emissions reduction target for Europe of up to 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. Two questions appear: is it possible and how much will it cost. But both could be misleading, says Julian Popov, Fellow at the European Climate Foundation and former Bulgarian Minister of the Environment
4 min.
10/December/2019

Designing net zero and resilient economies

 The launch of the Santiago Action Plan at the COP25 meeting in Madrid by finance ministers is an important step to ensure finance ministries play their role in accelerating the zero carbon transition, says Dileimy Orozco Policy Advisor at E3G
5 min.
09/December/2019

Radically reinvent energy markets for low carbon economy

 Industry leaders need to change their way of thinking, social and environmental impacts be integrated in investment decisions and capital redirected to support a rapid transition to a low carbon economy for New Zealand to meet its Paris Agreement commitments, says Jane Taylor from The Aotearoa Circle
6 min.
06/December/2019

The untapped benefits of deep energy renovation

 As new Members of the European Parliament take their places and the European Green Deal takes shape, it bears repeating that the state of EU buildings holds the potential to make or break whatever energy, emissions and environmental targets are set in the coming months, says Adrian Joyce from Renovate Europe
4 min.
02/December/2019

Ground zero for soft energy pathway

 Islands are on the front line of climate change, evidenced by the recent swath of hurricanes that have wiped out electricity systems across the Caribbean. But island countries are not waiting for the inevitable. Many are moving to decentralised renewable resources and testing storage technologies and micro-grid solutions, says Justin Locke, Senior Director at the Rocky Mountain Institute
4 min.
28/November/2019

Floating offshore wind is becoming serious business

 Increasing pressure on offshore wind farm developers, record low electricity prices, coupled with the potential for higher margins than bottom-fixed foundations and the entry of oil and gas giants in the field, means the time is ripe for floating offshore wind, says Luis González-Pinto Barrenetxea, COO of Saitec Offshore
3 min.
28/November/2019

If not insurable, is it bankable?

 Jonas Dalsgaard, Global Sales & Business Development Manager at Codan, asks how the insur-ance market should react to insuring the increasing number of big wind farms in areas of the world that frequently experience natural disasters
4 min.
26/November/2019

Time to shift our focus

 While the growth of renewables is accelerating, energy-related greenhouse gas emissions keep increasing. Getting serious about climate change mitigation requires a significant shift of focus, says Morten Dyrholm, Group Senior Vice President at Vestas Wind Systems. If each part of the energy sector continues working in isolation, we will miss opportunities to collaborate on solutions
4 min.
22/November/2019

Diverse solutions

 The offshore wind market has made massive progress as prices fall, farms get larger and technologies smarter and more efficient. All this is thanks to competent, skilled and creative people. As the demand for clean electricity grows, diverse workforces in terms of gender, background, discipline and culture will be a significant asset, says Jovana Filipovic, Senior Offshore Analyst at LM Wind Power
5 min.
18/November/2019

Coal regions could drive European competitiveness

 Coal is dying in Europe, but lignite regions possess assets that could transform them into competitive power houses of low carbon industries, argues Julian Popov, Fellow at the European Climate Foundation and former Bulgarian Minister of the Environment
4 min.
15/November/2019

The energy transition solution right over our heads

 Solar power contributes to a decarbonised society and, due to its continually decreasing price, allows European households to save money on electricity bills, says Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, as her organisation launches a campaign to get solar panels installed on all new and renovated buildings
5 min.
12/November/2019

Rerouting network companies toward decarbonisation

 Financial incentives based on consumer interests and sound regulatory principles should be used to encourage electricity network operators to get ready to manage — and enable consumers to make the most of — future electricity markets, argues Zsu-zsanna Pató from the Regulatory Assistance Project
3 min.
08/November/2019

Poles apart

 Despite claims to the contrary, research by WWF finds that Poland can reach net zero carbon emissions in a socially fair way without massive increases in EU financial support, explains Katie Treadwell, Policy Officer, WWF European Policy Office
3 min.
07/November/2019

Prioritise electrification for efficient energy transition

 EU leaders need to get serious about electrification if Europe is to decarbonise in line with the commitments of the Paris climate agreement and bring about economic benefits for consumers, say signatories of The Electrification Alliance, launched in Brussels this week
7 min.
04/November/2019

Hydrogen: Northern Netherlands leads Europe and the world

 The Northern Netherlands has won a €20 million EU grant to become Europe’s flagship green hydrogen project. The former natural gas region will lead Europe — and the rest of the world — in the energy revolution required by the Paris climate agreement, says Nienke Homan, regional minister in the Province of Groningen
3 min.
23/October/2019

Just Transition: act now before industries and communities decline

 Prioritising renewables and abolishing fossil fuels should not be at the expense of people’s lives and networks
4 min.
21/October/2019

Energy performance certificates hold back heat decarbonisation

 Jan Rosenow of the Regulatory Assistance Project explains how the criteria for energy performance certificates are out of step with heat decarbonisation
4 min.
14/October/2019

Venture capital investment is helping utilities adapt to change

 Companies in the power and utilities sector that fail to adopt key characteristics required by venture capitalists and attract investment may well be disrupted themselves
5 min.
10/October/2019

No one-size-fits-all energy transition

 By leveraging the huge amounts of data that connected infrastructure can generate, cities can boost their productivity, improve their liveability, increase energy savings and better adapt to the impacts of climate change, says Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure
5 min.
04/October/2019

The energy transition must be gender-equitable

 As the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition bring women working in the wind industry in emerging markets to Europe to encourage action on the Sustainable Development Goals, GWEC’s Joyce Lee explains why the energy transition will only be successful if women are able to fully participate
5 min.
03/October/2019

EU ETS revenues can help unlock the clean energy transition

 A recent World Bank study reveals global carbon revenues are rising sharply, but only around 42% are used for environmental projects. It shows European and American citizens prefer their governments to spend carbon revenues on low-carbon initiatives, so why is political will lagging behind asks Susanne Dyrbøl from Rockwool Group
3 min.
02/October/2019

Ambitious climate action needs to become the norm

 Cities are increasing their levels of ambition when taking climate action, and obtaining significant reductions in carbon emissions. But if cities want to drive the change needed to keep warming below the 1.5°C threshold, truly ambitious plans should be the norm not a novelty, writes Pernille Jægerfelt Mouritsen, Project Manager at Nordic Sustainability and Editor of the Cities100 report
5 min.
24/September/2019

Our vision for a net zero carbon construction sector

 The global building and construction sector can reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 if it makes changes along the whole of the production and supply chain, says Cristina Gamboa, CEO at the World Green Building Council, the global network leading the transformation of the built environment towards sustainability across almost 70 countries
5 min.
11/September/2019

Enforce EU competition law to end dirty power plant support

 By enforcing its competition laws, the European Commission can genuinely lead the clean energy transition, says Sara Bell from Tempus Energy
4 min.
28/August/2019

How the EIB can become Europe’s climate bank

 The new European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised a Green Deal for Europe. For it to be truly green, it will have to be fossil fuel free and this means cleaning up the European Investment Bank. The development bank this summer proposed phasing out support for oil and gas projects. Colin Roche from Friends of the Earth Europe urges the EIB board to back the plan when it meets in September
5 min.
MethaneSAT, a subsidiary of the Environmental Defense Fund, is developing a satellite to locate and measure methane from oil and gas operations almost anywhere on Earth22/July/2019

Oil and gas methane emissions off track

 As the International Energy Agency launches its Methane Portal, Poppy Kalesi, Director of Global Energy at the Environmental Defense Fund, calls on EU decision makers to make the most of all regulatory opportunities to force reductions in methane emissions
5 min.
Existing technological solutions can yield 10-20% in energy savings in district heating systems, cut peak loads by 20% and save up to 30% in maintenance costs18/July/2019

Digitalisation is revolutionising district energy

 Revolution is a big word, but it is appropriate to describe what digitalisation will do for district energy in the years to come, says Anton Koller, Head of District Energy at Danfoss. It will make it more sustainable, more customer friendly and more competitive than ever — but we need to embrace and lead the change
Investor interest in offshore wind is picking up speed worldwide thanks to plummeting costs and technology improvements, says Miles Huq, Transactions Advisory Services Leader at EY Global Power & Utilities. He has advice to those looking to place their money in the sector, which has big potential to help countries meet energy transition goals08/July/2019

Global investment in offshore wind could blow up a storm

 Investor interest in offshore wind is picking up speed worldwide thanks to plummeting costs and technology improvements, says Miles Huq, Transactions Advisory Services Leader at EY Global Power & Utilities. He has advice to those looking to place their money in the sector, which has big potential to help countries meet energy transition goals
4 min.
Going carbon neutral is not easy for any company, but taking the decision to significantly reduce carbon emissions is the most difficult step, says Bjarne Sandager Nielsen, Vice President of Global Operations and Sourcing at LM Wind Power, now part of GE Renewable Energy01/July/2019

Get going

 Going carbon neutral is not easy for any company, but taking the decision to significantly reduce carbon emissions is the most difficult step, says Bjarne Sandager Nielsen, Vice President of Global Operations and Sourcing at LM Wind Power, now part of GE Renewable Energy
By focusing its attention on energy efficiency, the newly elected Danish politicians can show they are listening to the public’s call for climate action and put Denmark back on the map as a frontrunner in the energy transition, argues Mads Nipper, Group President and CEO of Grundfos, a Danish water and heat pump manufacturer28/June/2019

New Danish government should put energy efficiency first

 By focusing its attention on energy efficiency, the newly elected Danish politicians can show they are listening to the public’s call for climate action and put Denmark back on the map as a frontrunner in the energy transition, argues Mads Nipper, Group President and CEO of Grundfos, a Danish water and heat pump manufacturer
5 min.
Criticism of his decision to rip out a fully functioning gas boiler in favour of a heat pump led Jan Rosenow, director of European programmes at the Regulatory Assistance Project, to do some serious number crunching26/June/2019

Why I replaced my new gas boiler with a heat pump

 Criticism of his decision to rip out a fully functioning gas boiler in favour of a heat pump led Jan Rosenow, director of European programmes at the Regulatory Assistance Project, to do some serious number crunching
4 min.
When the Social Democrats defeated the incumbent Liberal Party in the Danish national elections on 5 June 2019, many saw the result as a win for the climate, a focus of the Social Democrats’ campaign. Peter Bjerregaard, Market Regulation Manager at E.ON, says the new government must wean itself off fossil fuel taxes if Denmark is to be the climate action leader it frequently claims to be21/June/2019

We are in the last investment cycle

 When the Social Democrats defeated the incumbent Liberal Party in the Danish national elections on 5 June 2019, many saw the result as a win for the climate, a focus of the Social Democrats’ campaign. Peter Bjerregaard, Market Regulation Manager at E.ON, says the new government must wean itself off fossil fuel taxes if Denmark is to be the climate action leader it frequently claims to be
4 min.
19/June/2019

Aiming for systemic change

 Transforming energy systems will not be enough to decarbonise our economies, argue Janez Potocnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel and Partner at Systemiq, and colleague Julia Okatz. They call for the energy transition to be part of a wider shift to reduce the production of goods and consumption of all natural resources
4 min.
Ahead of Global Wind Day 2019, Malgosia Bartosik, Deputy CEO at WindEurope, insists on the need for a collective effort, with the wind industry working closely with other partners and sectors, to ensure a timely energy transition and avoid climate catastrophe14/June/2019

Working together is essential for the energy transition

 Ahead of Global Wind Day 2019, Malgosia Bartosik, Deputy CEO at WindEurope, insists on the need for a collective effort, with the wind industry working closely with other partners and sectors, to ensure a timely energy transition and avoid climate catastrophe
8 min.
Tjisse Stelpstra, Regional Minister of the Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, offers an invitation to join policymakers and investors at EU Sustainable Energy Week to discuss the Northern Nether-lands’s plans to build a hydrogen economy13/June/2019

Hydrogen: making the energy transition deeper and cheaper

 Tjisse Stelpstra, Regional Minister of the Province of Drenthe, the Netherlands, offers an invitation to join policy makers and investors at EU Sustainable Energy Week to discuss plans by the Northern Netherlands to build a hydrogen economy
5 min.
E-commerce has changed the way we shop, but it also means more delivery vans and lorries entering our cities, clogging roads and polluting the air. The sharing economy could help solve the problem, argue David Fernández and Ignacio Magallón from Bax and Company, an innovation consultancy07/June/2019

Transforming urban deliveries for zero-emission cities

 E-commerce has changed the way we shop, but it also means more delivery vans and lorries entering our cities, clogging roads and polluting the air. The sharing economy could help solve the problem, argue David Fernández and Ignacio Magallón from Bax and Company, an innovation consultancy
5 min.
05/June/2019

Let’s get real about the future role of gas

 As this year’s European Gas Regulatory Forum, also known as the Madrid Forum, gets underway in Spain, Antoine Simon from Friends of the Earth Europe calls for the European Commission to think very carefully about what role gas can really play given the climate emergency the world is facing
6 min.
On the same day that another earthquake hit Groningen, a province in the Northern Netherlands, our region was present in Lyon, France, to launch a new European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership that will help regions like ours achieve a full transition from natural gas to green hydrogen, says regional minister of the Province of Groningen Patrick Brouns31/May/2019

Hydrogen: the new business model for our region

 On the same day that another earthquake hit Groningen, a province in the Northern Netherlands, our region was present in Lyon, France, to launch a new European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership that will help regions like ours achieve a full transition from natural gas to green hydrogen, says regional minister of the Province of Groningen Patrick Brouns
4 min.
Converting coal-fired power stations to run on biomass is often sold as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but studies increasingly show that forest biomass is far from being low carbon. It is also a relatively expensive renewable energy and unlikely to be a good investment choice, says Peg Putt from the Environmental Paper Network29/May/2019

Why investing in biomass could be risky business

 Converting coal-fired power stations to run on biomass is often sold as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but studies increasingly show that forest biomass is far from being low carbon. It is also a relatively expensive renewable energy and unlikely to be a good investment choice, says Peg Putt from the Environmental Paper Network
4 min.
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is the main driver of the energy transition, supported by the large-scale expansion of wind and solar energy production, writes Marcel Eijgelaar, researcher at DNV GL. Due to the variable output of these renewables, maintaining the balance between supply and demand is becoming more challenging with a higher need for grid flexibility and more volatile prices on electricity markets. New solutions are emerging, from battery storage to hydrogen electrolysis24/May/2019

New applications for surplus energy

 Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is the main energy transition driver, supported by large-scale expansion of wind and solar energy, writes Marcel Eijgelaar, researcher at DNV GL. The variable output of these renewables means maintaining balance between supply and demand is more challenging with greater need for grid flexibility and more volatile prices on electricity markets. Solutions include battery storage and hydrogen electrolysis
5 min.
20/May/2019

Catching up in the artificial intelligence race

 Efficiency gains in the power sector resulting from the uptake of artificial intelligence are indisputable, says Géraldine de Decker, Innovation Advisor at Eurelectric, the European power sector association, citing cost reductions along the value chain and lower bills for consumers
5 min.
Smart pricing, smart technology and smart infrastructure are the three key ingredients needed to integrate the growing number of electric vehicles into the grid cost efficiency and to deliver benefits for consumers, businesses and cities, say Julia Hildermeier and Christos Kolokathis from the Regulatory Assistance Project15/May/2019

Three smart ways to integrate EVs

 Smart pricing, smart technology and smart infrastructure are the three key ingredients needed to integrate the growing number of electric vehicles into the grid cost efficiently and to deliver benefits for consumers, businesses and cities, say Julia Hildermeier and Christos Kolokathis from the Regulatory Assistance Project
13/May/2019

The climate crisis needs clean energy leaders, not critics

 The EU and the US should look more closely at what China is doing to further the clean energy transition, rather than caricaturing the country as a climate villain, says Luke Sherlock senior advisor to C40 Cities
5 min.
06/May/2019

Green gas, really?

 There will be no place for fossil gas in a decarbonised world, says Florent Marcellesi, a Green Member of the European Parliament, urging the European Commission to agree clear definitions and a sound taxonomy for all new gases to ensure they comply with the Paris Climate Agreement
6 min.
The Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe have drawn up a €2.8 billion plan to turn their region into a “hydrogen valley” and be a springboard for the hydrogen economy globally, explains Ulco Vermeulen, Director Business Development at Gasunie03/May/2019

Hydrogen: the Northern Netherlands is ready

 The Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe have drawn up a €2.8 billion plan to turn their region into a “hydrogen valley” and be a springboard for the hydrogen economy globally, explains Ulco Vermeulen, Director Business Development at Gasunie
6 min.
An energy transition cannot happen without the renovation of buildings, says Susanne Dyrbøl, Public Affairs Director at Rockwool Group, calling for a Marshall Plan to give building renovation the same boost the European economy received after the Second World War01/May/2019

Need for a European Renovation Task Force

 An energy transition cannot happen without the renovation of buildings, says Susanne Dyrbøl, Public Affairs Director at Rockwool Group, calling for a Marshall Plan to give building renovation the same boost the European economy received after the Second World War
5 min.
A combination of low-carbon heating technologies and energy efficiency improvements is the obvious answer to decarbonise heating, says Jan Rosenow, Director of European programmes with the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)15/April/2019

Don’t throw money for heat decarbonisation out of the window

 A combination of low-carbon heating technologies and energy efficiency improvements is the obvious answer to decarbonise heating, says Jan Rosenow, Director of European programmes with the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
6 min.
Direct tariffs should be promoted and financed by large-scale donors to accelerate the adoption of renewables in developing countries, argue experts from Dahlberg, a global advisory firm. This would encourage the release of extra capital by guaranteeing a market and an energy price for clean energy sources08/April/2019

Financing the energy transition in Tanzania

 Direct tariffs should be promoted and financed by large-scale donors to accelerate the adoption of renewables in developing countries, argue experts from Dalberg, a global advisory firm. This would encourage the release of extra capital by guaranteeing a market and an energy price for clean energy sources
4 min.
The influence of younger generations on the boards of well known brands such as packaging company Tetra Pak is ensuring that climate action and the energy transition are at the heart of business strategies, says Jo Sullivan, founder and CEO of Conscience Consulting, a Brussels-based boutique sustainability communication agency01/April/2019

Sustainability trailblazers

 The influence of younger generations on the boards of well known brands such as packaging company Tetra Pak is ensuring that climate action and the energy transition are at the heart of business strategies, says Jo Sullivan, founder and CEO of Conscience Consulting, a Brussels-based boutique sustainability communication agency
5 min.
Policymakers know enough about the technologies and practices that will, and will not, be part of a zero-emissions future to take clear policy decisions that will accelerate change25/March/2019

Some things are not negotiable

 Modelling aimed at creating a zero-carbon energy system by 2050 will never be perfect, but a new report shows enough knowledge now exists to make clear decisions about the infrastructure and investments needed to move forward in the right direction, writes Lisa Fischer, Senior Policy Adviser at think-tank E3G
3 min.
Implementing solutions to speed up the energy transition will help businesses contribute to stopping climate change, but also help them recruit the bright young things necessary for their future growth20/March/2019

We can all accelerate the energy transition

 Ignoring the energy transition is a threat to the climate, but will also undermine the ability of companies to hire the best talent and attract future clients, argues Helene Egebøl, CEO of Schneider Electric Denmark
4 min.
Burning imported waste for energy will be incompatible with climate targets in the longer term, say researchers in Denmark15/March/2019

Limited future for energy from incinerated waste imports

 Burning imported waste for energy will be incompatible with climate targets in the longer term, say researchers in Denmark
7 min.
Ørsted’s transformation from a fossil-intensive European utility to a leading global renewable energy company has benefited the company’s bottom line as well as the climate, writes Jakob Askou Bøss, Head of Strategy and Communication07/March/2019

From black to green in a decade

 Ørsted’s transformation from a fossil-intensive European utility to a leading global renewable energy company has benefited the company’s bottom line as well as the climate, writes Jakob Askou Bøss, Head of Strategy and Communication
4 min.
Learnings from business and science will help NATO engage better in the energy transition and create a resilient and energy-efficient military, explain the security organisation’s Anto-nio Missiroli and Michael Rühle25/February/2019

Squaring military, energy and environmental security: NATO’s approach

 Learnings from business and science will help NATO engage better in the energy transition and create a resilient and energy-efficient military, explain the security organisation’s Antonio Missiroli and Michael Rühle
5 min.
Distribution system operators could compromise the energy transition if they delay their response to changes in the networks, says Serge Colle, EY Global Power and Utilities Advisory Leader22/February/2019

Where does change start if the future is already decided?

 Distribution system operators could compromise the energy transition if they delay their response to changes in the networks, says Serge Colle, EY Global Power and Utilities Advisory Leader
5 min.
As the European Investment Bank launches a public consultation on future energy lending, Vice President Andrew McDowell argues for a doubling in energy investments in the next ten years20/February/2019

An invitation to the energy transformation

 As the European Investment Bank launches a public consultation on future energy lending, Vice President Andrew McDowell argues for a doubling in energy investments in the next ten years
4 min.
Europe urgently needs an industrial strategy in line with international climate targets, backed by a smart policy framework to help heavy industry decarbonise and remain competitive18/February/2019

Towards a climate neutral industrial strategy in Europe

 Europe urgently needs an industrial strategy in line with international climate targets, backed by a smart policy framework to help heavy industry decarbonise and remain competitive, says Matilda Axelson from the Institute for European Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
4 min.
Sustainable business means taking responsibility for your impact. This is the definition of carbon neutrality: reducing your emissions as much as possible and compensating for the rest.14/February/2019

Ten steps to become a carbon neutral business

 Sustainable business means taking responsibility for your impact. This is the definition of carbon neutrality: reducing your emissions as much as possible and compensating for the rest.
5 min.
Spanish utility Iberdrola is testing the use of blockchain to show customers exactly where their wind energy is produced. Francisco Hernanz, Head of Renewable Energy Management at the company, highlights the importance of innovation11/February/2019

Blockchain in energy

 Spanish utility Iberdrola is testing the use of blockchain to show customers exactly where their wind energy is produced. Francisco Hernanz, Head of Renewable Energy Management at the company, highlights the importance of innovation
12 min.
Set up at the end of the Cold War, the Energy Charter Treaty, without significant reform, is now largely irrelevant and doing more harm than good to the energy transition, argues Sarah Keay-Bright, independent consultant and previously expert at the Energy Charter Secretariat04/February/2019

Energy Charter Treaty and the energy transition: reform, then exit?

 Set up at the end of the Cold War, the Energy Charter Treaty, without significant reform, is now largely irrelevant and doing more harm than good to the energy transition, argues Sarah Keay-Bright, independent consultant and previously expert at the Energy Charter Secretariat
5 min.
Businesses should take full advantage of the EU’s place as an energy transition leader, write Sami Andoura and Philipp Offenberg from the European Political Strategy Centre, the European Commission’s think-tank24/January/2019

Accelerating the transformation to a climate neutral economy

 Businesses should take full advantage of the EU’s place as an energy transition leader, write Sami Andoura and Philipp Offenberg from the European Political Strategy Centre, the European Commission’s think-tank
3-4 min.
Geneva is changing its technologies and its ways of working to become a truly smart, energy efficient city, argues Patricia Solioz from Geneva Industrial Services, a public utility11/January/2019

Working multilaterally for a successful smart city

 Geneva is changing its technologies and its ways of working to become a truly smart, energy efficient city, argues Patricia Solioz from Geneva Industrial Services, a public utility
5-6 min.
Understanding what disruption means in relation to the energy transition is important for all current and potential energy industry players, says Albert Cheung, Head of Global Analysis at BloombergNEF07/January/2019

Disruptive definitions

 Understanding what disruption means in relation to the energy transition is important for all current and potential energy industry players, says Albert Cheung, Head of Global Analysis at BloombergNEF
4-5 min.
With outside help, developing countries can move directly from no electricity to clean, affordable electricity, says Janu Ramchandani of Kinect Energy Group04/January/2019

Multiple benefits

 With outside help, developing countries can move directly from no electricity to clean, affordable electricity, says Janu Ramchandani of Kinect Energy Group
3-4 min.
Businesses, individuals and not-for-profit foundations are leading a clean and affordable energy transition in developing countries, says Rachel Mountain from Energise Africa02/January/2019

Mobilising money

 Businesses, individuals and not-for-profit foundations are leading a clean and affordable energy transition in developing countries, says Rachel Mountain from Energise Africa
6-7 min.
There is no absolutely excuse to delay investing increasing amounts of carbon revenues in energy efficiency, say Richard Cowart and Catharina Wiese from the Regulatory Assistance Project19/December/2018

A perfect match: Using carbon revenues to finance energy efficiency

 There is absolutely no excuse to delay investing increasing amounts of carbon revenues in energy efficiency, say Richard Cowart and Catharina Wiese from the Regulatory Assistance Project
4-5 min.
Working together for economic and climate goals17/December/2018

Working together for economic and climate goals

 Power and heavy industry companies leading decarbonisation efforts will benefit the climate and boost their own businesses, argues Marion Labatut from Eurelectric, a European electricity industry federation
5-6 min.
Whether self-driving cars are a help or a hindrance to efforts to reduce transport emissions will depend on the rules, planning and pricing structures that accompany its introduction, argue Sami Angsthelm and Giel Mertens from Bax & Company14/December/2018

The great potential of autonomous mobility

 Whether self-driving cars are a help or a hindrance to efforts to reduce transport emissions will depend on the rules, planning and pricing structures that accompany its introduction, argue Sami Angsthelm and Giel Mertens from Bax & Company
4-5 min.
EU proposals to fund new gas infrastructure projects make no sense given Europe’s decarbonisation commitments. The European Parliament can vote on 12 December to ensure clean energy infrastructure is prioritised, say Elisa Giannelli and Lisa Fischer from think-tank E3G10/December/2018

Energy infrastructure for a climate neutral Europe

 EU proposals to fund new gas infrastructure projects make no sense given Europe’s decarbonisation commitments. The European Parliament can vote on 12 December to ensure clean energy infrastructure is prioritised, say Elisa Giannelli and Lisa Fischer from think-tank E3G
4-5 min.
As heavy industry, business and investors rally round the 2050 strategic climate change vision launched this week by the European Commission, Jonathan Gaventa, Brussels-based Director of E3G, believes this is a defining moment for the energy transition globally30/November/2018

A turning point: Europe’s climate neutral 2050 vision

 As heavy industry, business and investors rally round the 2050 strategic climate change vision launched this week by the European Commission, Jonathan Gaventa, Brussels-based Director of E3G, believes this is a defining moment for the energy transition globally
4-5 min.
If we don’t electrify more, we won’t reach our decarbonisation goals, says Ralf Christian, CEO of Siemens Energy Management Division26/November/2018

Coming soon: the all-electric energy world

 If we don’t electrify more, we won’t reach our decarbonisation goals, says Ralf Christian, CEO of Siemens Energy Management Division
4-5 min.
We have the technologies needed for the energy transition, but more funding is needed to find innovative ways to scale them up and win social acceptability, argues Peter Sweatman, Chief Executive of Climate Strategy & Partners19/November/2018

Innovating, not inventing, our net-zero emissions future

 We have the technologies needed for the energy transition, but more funding is needed to find innovative ways to scale them up and win social acceptability, argues Peter Sweatman, Chief Executive of Climate Strategy & Partners
5-6 min.
Diversifying economies, particularly those that are fossil fuel-rich, is not easy, but solutions exist and the move from brown to green energy will benefit business and bring near-term benefits such as cleaner air and new jobs, underline experts from the New Climate Economy12/November/2018

The clean energy transition: good for business, communities and the economy

 Diversifying economies, particularly those that are fossil fuel-rich, is not easy, but solutions exist and the move from brown to green energy will benefit business and bring near-term benefits such as cleaner air and new jobs, underline experts from the New Climate Economy
4-5 min.
Investors are playing an important role in encouraging companies to integrate the transition to a clean energy economy into business strategies and capital expenditure planning, says Ingrid Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Hermes Investment Management05/November/2018

Investors pushing the energy transition

 Investors are playing an important role in encouraging companies to integrate the transition to a clean energy economy into business strategies and capital expenditure planning, says Ingrid Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Hermes Investment Management
4-5 min.
The world is awash with capital, but a lack of clarity about what really is a green investment is stalling much needed investment in low carbon infrastructure. Taxonomies can offer some much needed clarity says Sean Kidney, Co-founder and CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative31/October/2018

No shortage of capital

 The world is awash with capital, but a lack of clarity about what really is a green investment is stalling much needed investment in low carbon infrastructure. Taxonomies can offer some much needed clarity says Sean Kidney, Co-founder and CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative
4-5 min.
15/October/2018

Learning out loud

 Support and financial backing for regions to innovate together is necessary if Europe is to massively increase climate action, argues Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer at Climate-KIC
5-6 min.
08/October/2018

Governments should step in to make homes energy efficient

 National governments are failing their citizens, ignoring their international emissions reduction pledges and leaving banks open to greater financial risk by not renovating homes, says Céline Carré, President at EuroACE and Head of European Public Affairs at Saint-Gobain
5-6 min.
05/October/2018

Changed political dynamics could threaten energy efficiency

 Populist politics must not be allowed to interfere with EU plans to increase energy efficiency gains in buildings, argues Adrian Joyce, Director of the Renovate Europe Campaign
3-4 min.
03/October/2018

Building efficiency is crucial to a fair energy transition

 Standards forcing landlords to make buildings more energy efficient would benefit the climate and tenants, say Jan Rosenow from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) and Sibyl Steuwer from the Buildings Performance Institute Europe
4-5 min.
01/October/2018

Marry old and new building techniques for big energy savings

 Merging new technologies and traditional building techniques makes buildings more energy efficient, say Sandra Piesik, editor of “HABITAT: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet”, and colleague Karen Rizvi
4-5 min.
24/September/2018

The future of wind energy in the EU

 The EU has long been a leader of the energy transition and is putting the policies, finance and research in place to ensure this continues, says Dominique Ristori, Director-General of DG Energy, European Commission
2-3 min.
19/September/2018

The skills we need for tomorrow’s wind industry

 Working in partnership with organisations outside the wind industry will help it recruit the best people and continue to innovate, says Malgosia Bartosik, Deputy CEO of WindEurope
3-4 min.
17/September/2018

Make the North Sea the Silicon Valley of offshore wind power

 Lars Christian Lilleholt, Danish energy minister, explains his plans to boost offshore wind expansion in the North Sea through greater cooperation
4-5 min.
07/September/2018

Low prices for renewables are great news, but mean new challenges for industry and policy makers

 Policy makers need to keep a close eye on market mechanisms to ensure the renewables industry can achieve sustainable growth, says Sven Utermoehlen, Chief Operating Officer of E.ON Climate & Renewables
3-4 min.
Ana Barreira, Director of the International Institute of Law and the Environment, calls on Spain to take action and ensure a just transition27/August/2018

Spain needs to urgently build a path to a just transition

 Spain with its many coal regions needs to act urgently to ensure its transition to a clean energy economy is smooth and fair for all, says Ana Barreira, Director of the International Institute of Law and the Environment
4-5 min.
13/August/2018

Policy action needed to decarbonise residential heating by 2050

 Residential heating is a massive consumer of energy worldwide. The technology exists to alter this, but policy makers need to give the sector much more attention to ensure real change, says Florian Knobloch from Radboud University Nijmegen
4-5 min.
16/July/2018

Funding small-scale clean energy in Cambodia

 A new fund is helping to bring clean energy to farmers in Cambodia as Olivia Coldrey from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Austria and Sarou Long, from Nexus for Development, Cambodia explain
5-6 min.
29/June/2018

More renewables means more electrification

 Welcoming the recently agreed EU 2030 climate and energy targets, Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of Eurelectric argues for a regulatory framework able to smoothly integrate greater amounts of renewables and electrification
4-5 min.
27/June/2018

Unique data for innovative urban responses

 The intelligent use of real-time data will help cities find the most timely and efficient solutions to reduce emissions and deal with the increased frequency of extreme weather events, a direct consequence of climate change, say Oliver Heidrich and Phillip James from Newcastle University, UK
4-5 min.
18/June/2018

Gender equality for a quicker energy transition

 “Reducing gender inequality makes economic sense apart from being the right thing to do,” concludes a World Bank report from May 2018. Christine Lins, former Executive Secretary of REN21, a global renewable energy policy network, explains why and how she and other sustainable energy leaders are helping empower women to play a bigger role in the transition to a clean energy economy
3-4 min.
15/June/2018

Why climate strategies make business sense

 Clear and ambitious climate and energy plans are essential to reduce emissions and provide certainty for business, says Imke Lübbeke, Head of Climate and Energy at the WWF’s European Policy Office
3-4 min.
06/June/2018

Making energy savings more sustainable

 Energy efficiency is vitally important, but policy makers and industry leaders could do more harm than good if they do not ensure that energy savings support wider environmental and sustainability goals, argue Luis Gabriel Carmona and Kai Whiting, researchers at the University of Lisbon, Portugal
3-4 min.
01/June/2018

Financing clean energy via fossil fuel subsidy reform

 Peter Wooders, group director for energy at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), explains why he is convinced that subsidy swaps are the best way to finance the clean energy transition
5-6 min.
28/May/2018

Sustainable solar

 Research showing that solar panels contain heavy metals is not telling us anything new. Instead of allowing ourselves to be distracted by scare stories, we should focus on the importance of solar in fighting climate change and the industry’s considerable efforts to be sustainable, argues James Watson, chief executive officer at SolarPower Europe
3-4 min.
21/May/2018

Building tomorrow, today

 Insulating buildings is a cost-effective solution to save energy, reduce emissions and improve the health and comfort of our homes and work places, writes Mirella Vitale, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Public Affairs at ROCKWOOL Group
4-5 min.
19/May/2018

California shows the way forward on energy efficiency

 The US state of California is setting an example for others to follow on energy saving policies, explains Andrew McAllister, lead commissioner for energy efficiency at the California Energy Commission
4-5 min.
18/May/2018

Boosting the cool factor of energy efficiency

 Exciting new technology, equipment and greater political will help boost the image of energy efficiency, a vital tool in reducing emissions, says Jennifer Layke, US-based Global Director of the Energy Programme at the World Resources Institute
3-4 min.
Monica Frassoni, president of the European Alliance to Save Energy, believes that companies are poised to put their money in energy efficiency projects, but worries that a clear political signal is still lacking17/May/2018

European businesses ready to invest in energy efficiency

 Full support for energy efficiency from EU politicians will give companies the confidence to invest in projects that will benefit the economy, the environment and society at large, says Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy
6-7 min.
16/May/2018

Smoothing the way to energy efficient policies

 Clear policies and a long-term vision will help energy efficiency play its full role in the energy transition, argues Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission
4-5 min.
14/May/2018

Giving local initiatives global impact

 Mark Lister, Head of the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, UNEP-DTU Partnership, explains ways to dismantle the barriers to scaling up energy efficiency.