Tag: renewables

Bioenergies are derived from wood, waste and agricultural crops for transport uses (biofuels). Currently, the EU meets about 4% of its energy needs from biomass. The main objective of the Biomass Action Plan, put forward in December 2005, is to double this share by 2010. The plan would reduce oil imports by 8%, prevent greenhouse gas emissions worth 209 million tons CO2-equivalent per year and create up to 300,000 new jobs in the agricultural and forestry sector.

Led by industry and supported by the EU, the new technology platform will seek to map out priorities for wind-energy research up to 2030 and to direct funding into targeted areas such as offshore wind and grid integration.

High oil prices have already driven renewable energies such as wind power past the point where they can compete with fossil fuels. But more ambitious policies are needed to spur growth, say two leading think-tanks.

Sales of modern wood-based stoves, heaters and fireplace inserts are shooting up in France with about 6 million households equipped today, according to ADEME, the French environment and energy agency.

Nuclear power cannot contribute to the need for more energy capacity and less carbon emissions, according to a report published by the UK's Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Audit.

Spain, the USA and Germany are the most attractive countries to invest in renewable energies, attracting the bulk of capital investment, according to Ernst & Young which points to a wind power "boom" in India.

Close to 80% of EU citizens back renewable energies as their preferred alternative to high-priced oil and gas imports, according to a public opinion survey. Nuclear power scores poorly with 12%.

A conference demonstrating the role of renewable energy research in Europe put renewables research in the context of Lisbon strategy and objectives.

On the eve of the eagerly awaited Commission communication on national support schemes for renewable energies, a multi-stakeholder Task Force has argued for support to continue until at least 2015.

Parliament has called for ambitious mandatory targets to increase the share of alternative energy sources in the EU to 20% by 2020. The report outlines specific initiatives to do away with unfair distortions in the electricity market.

Environmental campaigners at Greenpeace have teamed up with renewable energy producers to call for a phase-out of subsidies in fossil fuels and nuclear to allow renewable energies to develop.

The international renewables conference has seen both developed and developing countries commit to a clean energy future but some critics warn that the outcome lacks real teeth.

Financial support for renewable energy sources is needed by way of compensation, says Arthouros Zervos, President of the European Renewables Council in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.

A new advisory council on photovoltaics has met for the first time after it was established by the Commission to remove obstacles standing in the way of the EU's maximum exploitation of the benefits of solar energy.

Proposals for a review of the German renewables legislation, which is seen by many as being the European catalyst for renewables, sparked fierce debates on the future of the sector in Germany and beyond.

A Eurobarometer survey on EU citizens' opinions on energy shows that the public wants more research and investment in renewables and energy-saving technologies. On the other hand, Europeans seem to be unaware of the need to change individual energy consumption behaviours and want industry to carry the burden.