Tag: renewable energy

The solar energy sector is growing in momentum across Europe thanks to feed-in tariffs, which are helping to boost development activities, according to a study by an American consulting firm.

A thorough reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is necessary to allow the EU to respond more effectively to rising food prices and internal pressures, according to Ivo Hlavac, the Czech state secretary in charge of agriculture, who spoke to EurActiv France in an interview.

Hawaii could serve as an example to the EU after it passed a bill requiring all new homes to have solar water heaters installed as of 2010. While some European cities and regions have already adopted similar measures, some want binding targets included in new EU legislation on promoting renewable energy.

Germany, the UK and Poland are proposing new flexibility mechanisms to help reach EU renewable energy targets, while Italy is demanding a new method be used to calculate countries' renewables potential. Rome is also pushing for a reduction of the EU's 10% biofuels target.

The Commission's use of an existing mechanism for trading renewable energy based on guarantee of origin certificates is inappropriate for the purposes of promoting renewables use in the EU, according to MEP Claude Turmes. He spoke with EurActiv in an interview.

The Commission is set to launch a new initiative today (6 May) aimed at increasing investments in its southern and eastern partner countries, the main focus of which will be on infrastructure projects in the energy, transport and environment sectors.

The rising cost, increased demand and limited supply of oil as well as the slow development of alternatives are all leading to a new world order that will be based on supply and demand economics - with power resting with oil and gas-abundant states, argues Professor Michael T. Clare of Hampshire College in a 17 April commentary for Middle East Online.

The "distinctly unglamorous subject" of energy efficiency is being overlooked in the current EU debate on energy and climate change, argues Marie-Hélène Fandel, a policy analyst at the European Policy Centre.

Public comments made by EU member states indicate broad support at national level for the Commission's climate and energy proposals. But there are concerns that global average temperatures will rise well above two degrees Celsius, even if the EU's commitments are realised and bolstered by an international deal on CO2 reduction. 

The 6th European Business Summit, to take place on 21-22 February in Brussels, will focus on "greening the economy" and finding "new energy for business," organisers have announced, one week after the Commission published ambitious climate and energy proposals.

Member states will be authorised to meet their national renewable energy targets using green power certificates bought from other EU countries under plans being considered by the European Commission. The scheme could even be extended to countries outside the EU.

The emerging Asian superpower is poised to surpass world solar and wind manufacturing leaders in Europe, Japan, and North America in the next three years, the Worldwatch Institute said in a new report released on Wednesday.

The Commission may push for increased cross-border trade in renewable energy as part of upcoming proposals to promote the uptake of non-fossil energy sources in the EU to 20% by 2020, EurActiv has learnt. The renewable energy industry is sceptical of the idea, however, saying that it would discourage investment.

The Parliament has voted by a large majority in favour of setting binding sectoral renewables targets at EU level, setting the stage for a potential clash with member states. The Commission is due to present a proposal for further legislation on renewable energies in December.

The naysayers have it wrong: Europe can easily achieve a 20% share for renewables in its energy mix, nuclear can be phased out and second-generation biofuels technologies will arrive in time to meet bioenergy targets sustainably, according to Oliver Schäfer, of the European Renewable Energy Council.  

Before the end of the year, the Commission is scheduled to propose a framework to member states to increase the EU's share of renewables use to 20% by 2020. Oliver Schäfer of the European Renewable Energy Council spoke with EurActiv about the EU's efforts to find alternative sources of energy.

In its new publication ‘Biofuels for Transport’, the Worldwatch Institute examines how biofuels can reach their potential to strengthen energy security, promote economic development and protect the environment.

European leaders signed up to a binding EU-wide target to source 20% of their energy needs from renewables, including biomass, hydro, wind and solar power, by 2020. To meet this objective, they also agreed on a new directive to promote renewable energies, which set individual targets for each member state.

Introducing liberalisation as a way to decrease prices was a communication mistake, says Antoine Pellion, in a paper for the Robert Schuman Foundation. It is crucial to take a long-term assessment of the benefits of opening European electricity markets to competition, he claims.

Despite Commission promises in 2006 to propose binding targets for renewables on heating and cooling, these can no longer be expected. It will now be up to member states to decide on the targets as part of upcoming national action plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emmissions by 20% in 2020. 

The wind-energy sector claims that it can contribute up to 16% of Europe's electricity generation by 2020, up from around 3% at present, participants heard at the opening of a major wind-energy conference in Milano.

An interactive map allowing exact calculation of the solar electricity potential of any given location in Europe and its neighbouring regions will help determine each member state's share of solar power in the EU's overall 20% EU renewables target.

Officials said that the Commission was still unsure about how it will share the burden among member states, after EU leaders agreed earlier in March to have 20% of their overall energy needs covered by renewables by 2020.

The endorsement of an ambitious energy and climate-change policy by EU heads of states at their summit last week was greeted with a mix of cheerful enthusiasm and apprehension. EurActiv presents a summary of the main reactions.