www.energy transition.de
Do the math! » 16.05.2013
The cost of German solar versus nuclear
Yesterday, an article compared the cost of German solar to the cost of Finland's new nuclear plant, and it led to a bit of commotion on Twitter. In our latest installment of "Do the math!", we show how the author makes a compelling case for the British to cut their current offer for a new nuclear plant by a third. read more »
Dii GmbH
Intercontinental green power » 15.05.2013
Desertec: All dried up?
A few years ago, a press conference drew quite a lot of attention. A number of international organizations planned to kill several birds with one stone: provide more affordable green power to Europe, promote development in northern Africa, and ensure grid reliability in the MENA region. Unfortunately, the whole idea was unrealistic. read more »
Thyssen-Krupp
Energy transition » 14.05.2013
"No additional coal plants in Germany"
In a PDF published last month, consultants from Pöyry tell the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) not to expect any more coal plant projects after the current ones are completed. read more »
Foto: SMA
Power storage » 10.05.2013
Batteries the size of buildings
At the end of April, German firm Younicos announced that Europe's first "battery farm" could go into commercial operation next year in cooperation with the local utility. read more »
Grafik: SLAC
Power storage » 10.05.2013
Breakthrough battery?
California researchers have simplified the redox flow battery principle. In addition, they have discontinued using expensive material to store power. The battery is therefore not only potentially cheap, but it can easily be mass-produced. Only one laboratory model currently exists up to now, however. read more »
Foto: Eva Pilz | pixelio.de
The future of power supply » 09.05.2013
Threats to conventional power sector
In Germany, conventional energy firms are already struggling to remain profitable under the new market conditions. Now, the Edison Electric Institute of the US has published a report showing what risks the US power sector faces. read more »
Foto: Carmanah
Protectionism » 08.05.2013
Canada loses WTO appeal
For years, the province of Ontario has made its feed-in tariffs for renewables contingent upon "local content." Last December, the WTO ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, Japan and the European Union, who found the policy to be discriminatory. Now, Canada has lost the appeal. But the trade war has since moved elsewhere anyway. read more »
Craig Morris
Stop the infighting! » 08.05.2013
The renewables sector as a community
In Germany, the wind, solar, and biomass sectors tend to stick up for each other, and all of them are interested in efficiency and conservation. It is a rare to see, for instance, a German proponent of solar make unfounded claims against wind power, as happens in the US. read more »
Uschi Dreiucker | pixelio.de
Sharing the cost of the energy transition » 07.05.2013
Industry exemptions from renewables surcharge published
The German agency for industry and exports BAFA has published a list of the firms exempt from the renewables surcharge in 2012. The exemptions include a few solar and coal mining firms. But the real news is that the exemptions skyrocketed in 2013. read more »
Florival fr, CC BY SA 3.0
Do the math! » 07.05.2013
Will France close its oldest reactor on schedule?
A new report in French daily Le Monde reveals the great resistance to the shutdown of France's oldest nuclear reactor, Fessenheim, located on the border to Germany. One of the main arguments is jobs, but the math does not add up. read more »
