It's been over five years since I first heard about the Jones Act on NPR's Planet Money podcast - an obscure American law that prohibits foreign vessels from shipping goods between domestic U.S. ports. Every time you want to send something from one American port to another American port, the cargo has to travel on … Continue reading How the Jones Act affects the energy transition
The Scottish offshore wind farm Donald Trump tried to stop has officially opened today
After years of planning, a large experimental wind farm has been built off the coast of Scotland. Named the 'European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre' (EOWDC), it's been funded by Swedish company Vattenfall and was officially opened today (7th September 2018) by the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The wind farm was opposed by the now-US … Continue reading The Scottish offshore wind farm Donald Trump tried to stop has officially opened today
Armenia and the Trilemma
Why am I writing about this? I work for the British government and Armenia is a small country far away. Well, it starts with a project at my work that matches up employees who would normally have never met, to discuss their work and life over coffee. It's called 'coffee connect' and I've met some really … Continue reading Armenia and the Trilemma
Gas comes full circle
[Featured image source] Town gas - then and now The Empire Exhibition was held in Wembley, 1924, North London. In a poster advertising that exhibition, the muck and soot of coal was transformed into a clean and glowing figure of a healthy man - representing natural gas. As recent as 60-odd years ago, British society … Continue reading Gas comes full circle
Renewables are the cheapest way to decarbonise even when you account for system costs
Deploying a large volume of renewables remains the cheapest approach to decarbonisation even when accounting for system integration costs, according to a study by E3G The report highlights an 'increasing body of evidence' showing that the power system could operate securely and at least cost with more than 50% of demand being met from renewables. … Continue reading Renewables are the cheapest way to decarbonise even when you account for system costs
A united energy union? Perspectives on the trilemma for Germany & Poland
What does German and Polish energy policy mean for 'the Russian threat'? Poland and Germany have taken separate paths towards an energy transition - that of ‘energy security’ for Poland, and ‘sustainability’/minimal environmental impact for Germany; both Germany and Poland’s transitions could threaten Russia’s own energy policy - which is partially reliant on exporting a … Continue reading A united energy union? Perspectives on the trilemma for Germany & Poland
