Energy Policy

How politics can change the energy scenario

redazione — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:46:54 +0000

Gianni Silvestrini

The Italian Government has begun to indicate some lines of action on energy. Minister Passera is concerned over the weight of renewable sources on the electric bills, and in particular for photovoltaic. Anyway he isn’t considering the entire benefits of these markets on the domestic economic systems. The editorial by Gianni Silvestrini.

The intervention of Corrado Passera (Economic Develpment ministry) last week is one of the very first signs to be seen of the government's desire to deal with the energy issue as a whole. Time is mature: after the pendulum of politics has swung from the unproductive planning of the 1970s and 80s to the liberalisation driven over the last 15 years, there is now a need to define a strategy with clear objectives, ambitious scenarios and effective tools.

Record renewables push the smart grids

redazione — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:23:43 +0000

Gianni Silvestrini

The production of electricity from renewable sources in Baviera, but also in Italy, has exceeded the 10% threshold. Growth that can represent a problem for distributors. Some are investing in electro-chemical storage, others are thinking of managing the situation from the demand side. Action is necessary for the intelligent management of the grids. Editorial by Silvestrini.

Five years ago, they were toasting because in Baviera, the largest Land in Germany with 12.5 million inhabitants, photovoltaic systems covered 1% of the electricity demand. This year solar energy will probably satisfy more than 10% of the German region’s demand. There are now over 300,000 photovoltaic systems for a total power supply of more than 7,000 MW. Baviera’s objective is to satisfy 16% of the demand within 2020, but everything indicates that the result will go beyond the target.

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Against economic and environmental crisis, fairness is the recipe

redazione — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:28:45 +0000

Maurita Cardone

Changing things toward sustainability needs commitment from governments, but also from local decision makers, companies, and citizens, and learning from best practicses. We need new indicators: the GDP is no longer useful as it does not appreciate the actual incredible inequality. Izaak Van Melle of WorldWatch Institute interviewed byQualenergia.it

The future of Europe seems to be hanging between the economic and the environmental crisis. Individual actions and public policies can bring us towards a more sustainable society. That's the Worldwatch Institute vision in the words of Izaak Van Melle, former president of the Institute and today active in the European section

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Failing the stress tests

redazione — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:02:49 +0000

What did our societies learn from events in North Africa and in Fukushima which are having a serious impact on energy supply? An article of the columnist Hans Nilsson, Fourfact, for The European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE).

The world has in a short period witnessed two events that put an unforgiving and cold spotlight on our modern society, showing its vulnerability. One is of course the Japanese nuclear accident that is a tragedy as it is, with a risk of becoming a horror beyond comprehension on top of all the plights from earthquake, tsunami and cold spells. We in the rest of the world all feel paralysed and in anguish since there is so little we could do to help from a distance.

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US energy policy between green economy and security

admin — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 09:20:00 +0000

Maurita Cardone

QualEnergia.it interviewed Dan Clune, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary - Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, US Department of State. We asked him if, after the mid-terms elections, he sees a future for the green economy and for the climate change talks. According to Clune the Obama Administration will meet the emission reduction targets and the US will lead the green business revolution, though keeping an eye on fossil fuels and nuclear power.

First the failure of the climate bill, then the mid-term vote which reinforced the republicans inside the Congress. Is the environment still on the agenda of the American Government?
The environmental issues are still pretty much on the agenda. And, of course, the major environmental issue is climate change. The Obama administration is working on many fronts to create a national clean energy economy.

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China vs World and green economy tensions

admin — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:08:00 +0000

Gianni Silvestrini

The race for rare earth and metals will be crucial for the leadership in green economy. At the current consumption rate, many minerals are risking to run out in 30-40 years. China has therefore decided to keep its vast resources within its boundaries and at the same time provide strong incentives for renewables, creating hostility from some countries, particularly the USA. Editorial by Gianni Silvestrini.

"The Middle East has its oil, China has rare earth".

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Europe: climate, green economy and 2020 targets

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:18:00 +0000

Maurita Cardone

Despite the disappointment of Copenhagen now more than ever, Europe must work on his goals for the climate and renewables. Even for the sake of its economy, as nations like the U.S. has now surpassed Europea on green industry. Nuclear power? It threatens to steal money to clean energies. Interview with Jacqueline McGlade, director of the European Agency for the Environment.

Despite the disappointment of Copenhagen, Europe should not give up being the driving force behind the climate fight: we need to foster the application of clean technologies. Also because, since diplomacy is failing, green economy is more important than ever, and while the rest of the world is investing in renewables and energy efficiency, the old continent is risking to be left behind.

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Towards a better tracking of electricity

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:22:00 +0000

Be they from renewable or conventional sources of energy, all electrons look alike and cannot be directed on the electricity grid. To make up for this, in many countries certification systems have been created in order to guaranty to end consumers the nature of the electricity they consume. The multiplicity of certification systems can lead to uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the information displayed to end consumers. The E-TRACK II project offers ways to implement an overall coherent tracking system.

Thanks to the opening of the electricity market, industrial, commercial and public consumers can now choose their electricity supplier. Among the criteria that influence the final decision, the origin of the electricity can play an important role. More and more consumers wish to consume electricity produced from renewable energy sources, which has a low impact on the environment. But, whatever their origin (fossil, nuclear, renewable), all electrons are identical and injected into the same transportation or distribution grid.

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