30 Nov 2011
Despite the Fukushima nuclear disaster, in March 2011, Japan’ reliance on its export economy gives it no choice but to meet the continuing demand for nuclear power in the rest of Asia.
What happened
Japan finds itself pulled in opposing directions regarding its future in nuclear power generation. Even as the country questions its own dependence on nuclear power, new Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, has endorsed the sale of nuclear technology to Vietnam with a recent US$13bn deal (28th September 2011.)
Background
In post-Fukushima Japan, nuclear power remains a vital part of the economy, both as an electricity source and as a lucrative export. The government has yet...
30 Apr 2012
Can Sub-Saharan Africa rely on off-grid renewable power?... The Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA) advances solar development…Botswana’s “critical” power infrastructure investment
Renewable Energy World: Rural Africa Looks Beyond the Grid
Piers Evans of Renewable Energy World discusses the different viewpoints on whether sub-Saharan Africa can rely on off-grid renewable power to meet its power needs. The article quotes from a number of reports and analysts to decipher the region’s off-grid potential. According to the article, the region is a “promising context for renewables” and could “dispense with polluting, grid-connected power plants...
28 Mar 2012
Spain’s smart grid develops under Iberdrola initiatives...EU countries lag behind with smart meter deployment... Renewable Energy Corporation closes its Norway plant...Spain’s Iberdrola distributes 100 EV charging stations.
Engerati: Iberdrola’s Power Grid of the Future
Denise Philip of Engerati reports that Spanish utility, Iberdrola, choseseven manufacturers to supply one million smart meters. Valued at US$397m (€300m,) the order forms part of Iberdrola’s STAR (Remote Grid Management and Automation System) project, which will see investments of up US$2.6bn (€2bn) in smart grid schemes by 2018.The article touches briefly on Iberdrola’s other initiatives to develop Spain’s smart...
30 Nov 2011
The EU governments’ main focus over the last 3 years has been the economic crisis. This has forced the energy sector into the backseat.
What happened
The IEA announced, in its ‘State of the Energy World Report,’ that 2017 is the cut-off date to take drastic steps towards lowering CO2 emissions. Governments must strive to avoid the 2ᵒC increase in global temperature. The economic crisis has not helped to achieve this global goal. The EU has seen a decline in investment in the energy sector, for much needed infrastructure upgrades and the urgent establishment of renewables.
Background
The EU’s energy...
Visit our archive for Global
