Electricity
Germany’s new coal phase-out plan: Lots of money, little climate ambition
An agreement reached in the early hours of Thursday (16 January) between the federal government and representatives of the four German coal states won't bring the country much closer to reaching its climate goals, analysts said.
EU Green Deal to tune up car CO2 rules
The European Commission will revise car CO2 standards and move towards zero-emission vehicles in the 2030s, according to the EU’s new Green Deal, unveiled on Wednesday (11 December). Every other mode of transport can expect attention over the next five years too.
Coal pollution in the Western Balkans is a European problem
16 coal plants in the Western Balkans pollute as much as the entire EU fleet of 250 units, causing sickness and deaths across the continent. It’s high time to take action, write Viola von Cramon and Petros Kokkalis.
Worries over ‘fresh money’ as EU cooks up energy transition fund
Eastern EU countries, backed by trade unions, are putting pressure on EU leaders to come up with “fresh money” to support the energy transition in coal-dependent regions as part of a Green Deal due to be unveiled this week.
Power and gas ‘coupling’ seen as key to EU’s zero-carbon quest
As Europe moves towards net-zero emissions, policymakers are looking at all available sources of energy, including new low-carbon gases like hydrogen, to decarbonise at least cost. But direct electrification – of transport, industry and buildings – remains the top priority for the European Commission.
Heat networks in focus as EU cities confront building emissions
Last year, the European Union embarked on a mission to decarbonise the building sector, currently responsible for 40% of the bloc’s energy use. And cities with district heat networks have a head start when it comes to integrating new low-carbon energy sources.
EU bank brokers late-night deal to phase out fossil fuels
The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided on Thursday (14 November) to end financial support for fossil fuels from 2021, after marathon talks ended in a compromise that has been hailed as “a significant victory” for green policies.
Nuclear power ‘dead and alive’, S&P proclaims
Growing competition from cheap renewable electricity, safety concerns, and rising costs of new plants are slowly driving nuclear power over the edge – except in Russia and China where the industry continues to enjoy extensive state support, S&P said.
EU bank tees up fossil fuel compromise ahead of crucial vote
The European Investment Bank will decide on Thursday (14 November) whether or not to purge its loan books of fossil fuel projects. All signs point to the EU lender striking a compromise with Germany and Italy which want more leeway for new gas projects.
‘No way around electrification,’ BMW says
Consumers are increasingly turning to electric vehicles – and they’re liking it, said BMW’s chief lobbyist in Europe, calling on policymakers to accelerate charging infrastructure deployment to support the roll-out of electric mobility on a mass scale.
Europe needs to double electricity share to meet climate goals – EU official
The European Green Deal to be unveiled in early 2020 will pursue a strategy of increasing the share of electricity in the EU’s energy mix, the new head of the European Commission’s energy department told a conference in Brussels Wednesday (6 November).
Selling electricity to neighbours: Technically feasible, but not in practice
An EU-funded Interreg project promoting microgrids technology has managed to help consumers produce renewable electricity on their own. But the ultimate objective to enable reselling the power to their neighbour has been hindered by regulatory obstacles.
Norwegian scientist: ‘No way’ of reaching climate neutrality without hydrogen
Europe has to get serious about the hydrogen economy if it really wants to reach net-zero emissions as quickly as possible, says Nils Anders Røkke. This is why decarbonised natural gas, using carbon capture and storage (CCS), will be crucial to ramp up hydrogen production in the short term, he argues.
EU regulator clears UK’s billion-pound power back-up scheme
The European Commission said on Thursday (24 October) it had approved the British capacity market scheme which is designed to safeguard the security of Britain's electricity supply.
UK capacity market déjà vu: A solution that’s still in search of a problem
The European Commission is currently examining a UK government request to approve its so-called “capacity mechanism” to finance back-up power plants. However, there is no evidence to suggest that such a mechanism is necessary to bring forward new investment in electricity generation, argue Philip Baker and Michael Hogan.
Messianic Perry preaches nuclear to sceptical Europeans
Small nuclear reactors can help “vulnerable nations take control of their destinies,” the US energy secretary said in Brussels today (21 October), claiming that small off-grid nuclear plants can bring electricity to poor nations and “disperse the darkness” around the globe.
Europe’s largest floating solar plant opens in France
The most powerful floating solar PV plant in Europe was inaugurated in southern France on Friday (18 October), marking another milestone in the development of solar energy.
Morocco energy boss: We need to build electricity bridges between Europe and Africa
The solar thermal complex at Noor Ouarzazate in the Atlas mountains is at the heart of Morocco's renewable energy drive, producing over 580MW of electricity. Mustapha Bakhouri explains the country's plans to develop its renewable energy programme and build energy connections with Europe.
Germany’s steel industry in transition
Germany's energy-intensive steel industry needs to reinvent itself so that it can meet European climate targets and remain competitive. However, there is still a long road to go before the sector goes green. EURACTIV Germany reports.
US to help secure Baltic energy grid against cyber-attacks
The United States and Baltic states on Sunday (6 October) agreed to beef up cooperation to protect the Baltic energy grid from cyber-attacks as they disconnect from the Russian electricity grid.
Calls grow for EU-wide certificates to boost market for ‘green gas’
The market for Guarantees of Origin (GOs) linked to renewable gas is currently in its infancy. But with demand building up, industry figures – and environmentalists – are now calling for existing certification schemes to be harmonised and made mandatory across the European Union.
German power giant RWE, Europe’s biggest emitter, aims for zero carbon by 2040
German energy giant RWE said Monday (30 September) it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, winding up fossil-fuel activities while building up renewable generation, after taking over parts of competitor E.ON.
Energy transition ‘happening fast but not quickly enough’ to stop planet heating: report
The remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C will be exhausted as early as 2028, even as the transition to low-carbon energy gains momentum, according to risk management firm DNV GL, which calls for “extraordinary policy action” to lower emissions.