Greener energy
Greener energy in transport, industry, and our electricity networks - plus all that goes with this
Scaling up access to electric cooking services in Tanzania
According to the IEA, 2.3 billion people or nearly one third of the global population cook their meals over open fires or basic cook stoves. The fuels used are typically firewood, agricultural waste, charcoal, coal, kerosene and even animal dung. All of these emit harmful smoke, often in enclosed
Are we finally getting closer to using your EV to 'power' the electricity grid?
Octopus Energy has launched the UK’s first mass market vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tariff (called the Octopus Power Pack), which they say guarantees free charging for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. The tariff, which is still in beta, uses V2G technology and Octopus Energy’s tech platform, Kraken, to balance charging and
What to do with our natural gas networks?
This is about the pipes that currently move our natural gas around. And the answer is not as simple as you might first think. Carbon Tracker has recently published a series of research reports on the three main European gas transmission network operators, Snam, Italgas (both Italy) and Enagas (Spain)
A positive story about coal mines
Could abandoned coal mines be a useful energy source to heat our homes? Local politicians in the west of England, working with the Coal Authority (the public body that manages the effects of historic coal mining) believe so. The principle is simple. Using the water in the now flooded mines
Electricity ducks being seen in Spain
Solar electricity generation offers the potential for low electricity prices, at least when the sun is shining. Data shows that there is a decent correlation between the market price of electricity and what is called the residual load (demand minus supply contributions from wind and solar). The best way to
The 5% rate and other untruths about battery recycling.
In a LinkedIn article, Hans Eric Melin, Managing Director of Circular Energy Storage Research and Consulting, addressed a 'well documented fact' about battery recycling: only 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled; 95% of batteries go to landfill. Other claims about batteries from their energy intensive production and associated
Could EVs potentially have a much longer working life than ICEs?
Motoring journalist Quentin Wilson posted an interesting discussion topic on LinkedIn about EVs. Quentin Willson on LinkedIn: Following my post on extending the working life of EV batteries through… | 130 commentsFollowing my post on extending the working life of EV batteries through repair and cell replacement, I wonder if EVs
Investment opportunities hiding in plain sight ?
A $330bn/year green investment opportunity. What is not to like. So what is the catch ? Yes, it's in emerging markets. But the real challenge is that we need to develop new business models.
We need more (sustainable) mining
If we want the sustainability transitions to actually happen, especially in energy and industry, then we have to accept that more mining (of some minerals) needs to happen. Full stop.
Big batteries bridging the gap?
The electricity system's increasing reliance on renewables could get vital support from big batteries
Is the real issue with nuclear different from what you think?
If you talk to most sustainability professionals about nuclear, the most common concern is safety (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and perhaps most importantly Fukushima), followed by build cost (ie OL3 in Finland and others). But as well as these issues, should we also be thinking more about decommissioning costs? According
Green industrial project funding - momentum building?
Decarbonising industry is key, with hydrogen playing a big part. What to watch out for.