Energy News of the Week (Jul.21-27, 2014)
2017/06/18
< Asia >
China's Energy Plans Will Worsen Climate Change, Greenpeace Says
New York Times-Jul 23, 2014
China’s plans for 50 coal gasification plants will produce an estimated 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year and contribute significantly to climate change, according to a report released Wednesday by Greenpeace East Asia.
Lessons for utilities: How Japan massively screwed up renewables
Smart Grid News-Jul 25, 2014
The reason? Japan has allowed its regional utility monopolies to block competition. Utilities own almost all the wires and all the power plants. Only about 1% of power is traded via a wholesale power market.
< North America >
U.S. Sets Duties on Solar-Energy Gear From China, Taiwan
Bloomberg-Jul 26, 2014
The U.S. Commerce Department proposed expanded penalties on some Chinese solar-energy imports in a victory for the U.S. unit of SolarWorld AG (SWVK), which accused China of shifting production to Taiwan after it lost an earlier case.
< South America >
Geothermal Energy: Is It the New Frontier in Latin America?
Latin Post-Jul 26, 2014
The World Energy Outlook said in 2011, 1 percent of the world's electric power came from geothermal energy, now it is 4-5 percent. There are 700 geothermal projects under development in 76 countries.
< Africa >
Growth in energy sector despite corruption
eNCA-Jul 23, 2014
The continent had eight percent of world oil reserves. "Africa's consumption is at four percent, and is expected to increase by 50 percent over the next 20 years," said Bredenhann.
< Europe >
Dispute over 'bonkers' EU energy savings plan
BBC News-Jul 23, 2014
In January, after difficult negotiations, the EU published outline proposals on what its targets for 2030 should be. They proposed a 40% cut in carbon, while renewables would make up 27% of energy consumed. Energy efficiency was due to be increased by 27%.
< Australia >
Scientists believe Australia could harness energy from FNQ waves
Courier Mail-Jul 24, 2014
It said scientists had shown through computer modelling that waves, particularly on the continent’s southern coast, could supply 10 per cent of Australia’s energy needs by 2050.