But everybody needs to be involved. We don't want to make the mistakes of the past going back to the 1800s ... and none of us can do this alone. We must do this together. That is what we did in Paris. That is what we must do when we go to Glasgow" he said in reference to the COP26 climate talks next November.
"This is not about politics ... The planet is screaming at us, with the feedback loops that are telling us every single day, 'get this done', not to mention the next generations saying 'hey adults please be adults, make the decisions we need to make.'
"We can't willy nilly ignore the next 10 years. If we don't do enough in the next 10 years we cannot keep the Earth's (average) temperature to 1.5 degrees." -- US Climate Envoy John Kerry speaking to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change news, IEA news,
Methane has more than 80 times the warming potential than carbon dioxide in its first 20 years in the atmosphere. Major methane emitters include oil and gas infrastructure leaks and agriculture.
In 2020, oil and gas operations emitted over 70 million tonnes of methane, or around 10 pct less than in 2019. In absolute terms, Russia and the U.S. were the biggest emitters of methane, the IEA notes. (Source: International Energy Agency, Jan., 2021)
Contact: International Energy Agency, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Methane Emissions,
The 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) found that while global building energy consumption remained steady year-on-year, energy-related CO2 emissions increased to 9.95 GtCO2 in 2019. This increase was due to a shift away from the direct use of coal, oil and traditional biomass towards electricity, which had a higher carbon content due to the high proportion of fossil fuels used in generation.
When adding emissions from the building construction industry on top of operational emissions, the sector accounted for 38 pct of total global energy-related CO2 emissions., according to the report.
To get on track to net-zero carbon building stock by 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that direct building CO2 emissions need to fall by 50 pct and indirect building sector emissions by 60 pct by 2030. This equates to building sector emissions falling by around 6 pct per year until 2030, close to the 7 pct decrease in 2020 global energy sector CO2 emissions due to the pandemic. (Source: UN Environment Programme, Energy and Climate Branch,
UNEP, PR, Dec., 2020) Contact: UNEP, Sophie Loran , +33-601-377-917, Sophie.Loran@un.org, www.unep.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Emissions, IEA, UN Environment Programme,
The Covid-19 crisis adds an extra level of stress. As a result of the crisis and continuing low energy prices, energy intensity is expected to improve by only 0.8 pct in 2020, roughly half the rates, corrected for weather, for 2019 (1.6 pct) and 2018 (1.5 pct) -- well below the level needed to achieve global climate and sustainability goals and worrying because energy efficiency delivers more than 40 pct of the reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years in the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario.
Download the IEA Energy Efficiency 2020 report HERE. (Source: IEA, Dec., 2020) Contact: IEA, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Energy Efficiency,
"As a result of the crisis and continuing low energy prices, energy intensity is expected to improve by only 0.8 pct in 2020, roughly half the rates (last year)" to levels last reached in 2010 -- well below the (3 pct) level needed to achieve global climate and sustainability goals.
"It is especially worrying because energy efficiency delivers more than 40 pct of the reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years," the report notes. (Source: IEA, 3 Dec., 2020) Contact: International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Energy Efficiency,
"The United States rejoining the Paris Agreement would create a tremendous momentum for the fight against climate change." -- International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., 25 Nov., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
The IEA report predicts global transport biofuel production will be at 144 billion liters (38.04 billion gallons) in 2020, down 11.6 pct from the record set last year and the first reduction in annual production in two decades. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IEA predicted a 3 pct growth in biofuel production for 2020.
gGlobal ethanol production is expected to be at 98 billion liters this year, down 14.5 pct from 115 billion liters in 2019. Global biodiesel production is expected to reach 46 billion liters this year, down 5 pct from 2019.
IEA also predicts global production of transportation biofuels could rebound to the 2019 level of production in 2021, at approximately 162 billion liters. Production is expected to jump an additional 4 pct in 2022 to 169 billion liters.
Download the Renewables 2020 -- Analysis and forecast to 2025 report HERE. (Source: IEA, Website, Nov., 2020) Contact: IEA, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Biofuel, Biodiesel, Ethanol,
The greatest year-on-year drops in output were for US and Brazilian ethanol, and European biodiesel. (Source: International Energy Agency, Nov., 2020) Contact: International Energy Agency, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency , Biofuel, Biodiesel,
When completed in 2024, the facility will be the first in the U.S. to use carbon-capture technology on a commercial scale. As previously reported, LafargeHolcim worked with carbon capture technology provider Svante to build a pilot carbon-capture unit at a plant in British Columbia, Canada.
The cement sector is widely reported as the the world's third-largest industrial energy consumer and is the second-largest industrial emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 7 pct of the global emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. (Source: LafargeHolcim, PR, Denver Post, 20 Oct., 2020)
Contact: LafargeHolcim Ltd, Magali Anderson, Chief Sustainability Officer, Stephanie Sulcer, Communications, 847 716 0368, stephanie.sulcer@lafargeholcim.com, www.lafargeholcim.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News LafargeHolcim, CCS, Carbon Emissions, Cement,
"Governments have the capacity and the responsibility to take decisive actions to accelerate clean energy transitions and put the world on a path to reaching our climate goals, including net-zero emissions." -- Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., International Energy Agency (IEA, Oct., 2020
www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Carbon Emissions,
Between 2005 and 2018, patenting activity in batteries and other electricity storage technologies account for nearly 90 pct of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage -- chiefly driven by advances in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in consumer electronic devices and electric cars. Electric mobility in particular is fostering the development of new lithium-ion chemistries aimed at improving power output, durability, charge/discharge speed and recyclability, the report notes.
Technological progress is also being fueled by the need to integrate larger quantities of renewable energy such as wind and solar power into electricity networks.
The joint study shows that Japan and Korea have established a strong lead in battery technology globally, and that technical progress and mass production in an increasingly mature industry have led to a significant drop in battery prices in recent years. Prices have declined by nearly 90 pct since 2010 in the case of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, and by around two-thirds over the same period for stationary applications, including electricity grid management.
Developing better and cheaper electricity storage is a major challenge for the future. According to the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario, for the world to meet climate and sustainable energy goals, close to 10 000 gigawatt-hours of batteries and other forms of energy storage will be required worldwide by 2040 -- 50 times the size of the current market.
The study notes Innovation is increasingly recognised as a core part of energy policy and this year the IEA has been introducing more tools to help decision-makers understand the technology landscape, their role in it, and to track progress in innovation and the deployment of technologies. This includes the ETP Clean Energy Technology Guide, a comprehensive new interactive guide to the market readiness of more than 400 clean energy technologies.
Download the ETP Clean Energy Technology Guide HERE. (Source: IEA, Modern Diplomacy, Sept., 2020) Contact: European Patent Office, www. europeantrademarks.eu; International Energy Agency, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency , Battery, Energy Storage,
To go beyond net-zero, the sector will need to develop innovative concrete blends which absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through a process called carbonation. Concrete produced in the UK is currently not performing in line with the global average carbonation rate -- but if it was, an amount of CO2e equivalent to 12 pct of the sector's footprint in mid-century could be captured, according to the trade group's UK Concrete and Cement Sector Roadmap for Beyond Net Zero report.
According to the International Energy Agency , CCS is "virtually the only technology solution for deep emissions reductions from cement production."
Download UK Concrete's UK Concrete and Cement Sector Roadmap for Beyond Net Zero report
HERE. (Source: UK Concrete, PR,edie, 6 Oct., 2020) Contact: UK Concrete, +44 (0) 207 963 8000, info@thisisukconcrete.co.uk, www.thisisukconcrete.co.uk
More Low-Carbon Energy News Concrete news, Carbon Emissions news, Cement news,
According to the IEA, Thailand's experience of carbon market mechanisms began in 2007, when the government established TGO to implement and manage GHG emissions projects. In 2103, the public body launched the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction programme, a baseline and credit programme. By 2020 it had 191 registered projects that are due to reduce emissions by 5.28 Mt CO2-eq annually and the Thailand Carbon Offsetting Program which encourages public and private organisations to calculate their carbon footprint and buy carbon credits to offset their unavoidable emissions.
In 2015 TGO launched the Thailand Voluntary Emission Trading Scheme to serve as a pilot, setting up the infrastructure to develop a national emission trading system and identify gaps and opportunities. The first phase (2015-17) established and tested the market's design features and the measurement, reporting and verification system. During the second phase (2018-20) TGO aims to encourage wider participation and develop participants' trading capabilities.
Thailand is aiming to reduce GHG emissions to 20.8 pct below the business-as-usual level by 2030. (Source: IEA , New Europe, Aug., 2020)Contact: IEA, Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Tax, IEA,
The study predicts offshore wind generation will grow 15-fold to emerge as a $1 trillion industry in the next 20 years and will prove to be the next great energy revolution.
"Offshore wind currently provides just 0.3 pct of global power generation, but its potential is vast," according to IEA executive director, Fatih Birol. (Source IEA, July, 2020) Contact: IEA, Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Offshore Wind, Wind ,
"According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the International Energy Agency, fossil fuels will continue to power our world well into the future. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure these fuels are utilized as cleanly and efficiently as possible," said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. "DOE's Carbon Utilization Program is investing in cutting-edge technologies to allow us to capture carbon oxides, which will reduce emissions, and then recycle them into economically valuable services like enhanced oil recovery or products like plastics and carbon fibers."
Projects resulting from this FOA will validate the concept, estimate the technology cost, and demonstrate that the carbon life cycle of the products offers a path toward an environmentally sustainable and economically viable product. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the selected projects.
Additional information, including a full list of the 11 funded projects is HERE. (Source: US DOE , PR, 16 June, 2020) Contact: US DOE Office of Fossil Energy Carbon Utilization Program, www.energy.gov/fe/carbon-utilization
More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE Office of Fossil Energy news, CCU news, Carbon Emissions news,
Download the IEA Global Energy Review 2020 -
The impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis on Global Energy Demand and CO2 Emissions Report
HERE. (Source: International Energy Agency, April-May, 2020) Contact: International Energy Agency, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News GHGs, Greenhouse Gas Emisions, Climate Change,
The IEA predicts that global energy demand would fall 6 pct in 2020 -- the biggest year-on-year drop since World War II -- equivalent of losing the entire energy demand of India, the world's third-largest power consumer.
Advanced economies are set to see the biggest declines, with demand in the United States down nine percent and an 11-percent fall in the EU likely. "This is a historic shock to the entire energy world. The plunge in demand for nearly all major fuels is staggering, especially for coal, oil and gas," said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, emissions had been rising year on year. (Source: IEA, Agence France Presse, 28 April, 2020)Contact: IEA, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
According to the report, in 2018 the final energy demand for buildings increased by 1 pct since 2017 and by 7 pct since 2010. The International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2019 notes the improvement of the energy intensity rate has slowed down to 1.2 pct in 2018, less than half the average rate since 2010. Specifically, cooling of living spaces represents by now the energy consumed with the most rapid increase since 2010.
Download the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction reportHERE. (Source: World Green Bulding Council, MarketScreener, 14 April, 2020) Contact: World Green Building Council, [startylink]www.worldgbc.org/thecommitment[endlink],
More Low-Carbon Energy News World Green Building Council, Green Building, Energy Consumption, Energy Eff target=_blank>www.worldgbc.org[endlink]
More Low-Carbon Energy News World Green Building Council, Green Building, Energy Consumption, Energy Effp;
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) energy related global emissions flatlined for the first time in 2019 as economies continue the switch from polluting fuels to cleaner power generation.
(Source: International Air Transport Authority, 4 April, 2020) Contact: International Air Transport Authority, www.iata.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IATA, Aviation Emissions,
The patented LEILAC process makes it possible to capture high-purity CO2 from cement production via a separate exhaust gas stream and to utilize the CO2 for other purposes. As part of LEILAC 1, a CO2 separation pilot plant with a capacity of 25,000 tpy was constructed at the HeidelbergCement plant in Lixhe, Belgium. The project has €16 million is support from the EU research funding programme Horizon 2020.
HeidelbergCement has committed to reduce its own specific net CO2 emissions per tonne of cement by 30 pct, compared with 1990, by 2030. This target has been approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) and is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, making HeidelbergCement the first cement company worldwide to have approved science-based CO2 reduction targets.
The cement sector accounts for around 7 pct of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency
(Source: Heidelberg Cement, Ag-Net, 31 Mat., 2020)
Contact: HeidelbergCement, Dr Bernd Scheifele, CEO, Jan Theulen, Director Alternative Resources, www.heidelbergcement.com;
More Low-Carbon Energy News Calix, HeidelbergCement, CO2, Carbon Capture,
To that end, Birol is urging large-scale investment to boost the development and deployment of clean energy technologies and carbon capture should be "a central part of governments' plans because it will bring the twin benefits of stimulating economies and accelerating clean energy transitions."
According to IEA, "governments can use the current COVID-19 situation to step up their climate ambitions and launch sustainable stimulus packages focused on clean energy technologies. The coronavirus crisis is already doing significant damage around the world. Rather than compounding the tragedy by allowing it to hinder clean energy transitions, we need to seize the opportunity to help accelerate them." (Source: IEA, Mar., 2020) Contact: IEA, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change,
In addition to offering the potential to make major contributions to a low-carbon sustainable energy transition, energy efficiency improvements can reduce energy costs to consumers, avoid the adverse environmental and social impacts of new energy supplies, improve productivity, strengthen energy security and enhance the resilience of energy systems to the impacts of climate change.
Despite their benefits, energy efficiency initiatives have struggled to achieve their full technological and economic potential to reduce to energy demand. These failures have been due to a range of market, institutional, financial, policy, regulatory, behavioural and informational barriers.
In recent years, new challenges have emerged beyond these traditional and well-understood obstacles. Changes in policy direction, often flowing from changes in governments, have resulted in significant retrenchments, and in some cases wholesale dismantlings, of energy efficiency strategies in North America. The Government of Ontario's decision to terminate its "Conservation First" strategy in March 2019 was among the most dramatic of these developments, but far from unique.
This study seeks to understand the dynamics behind these developments and to identify potential strategies and design principles to inform the development of more effective and resilient governance structures for energy efficiency in Canada. Specifically, the study examines a series of cases in which commitment and consensus around energy efficiency faltered, threatening the stability and, at times, the existence, of energy efficiency programming in a variety of Canadian (BC, Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) and the U.S. (Maine, Connecticut and Indiana) jurisdictions.
Download the York University Unpacking the Climate Potential of Energy Efficiency study
HERE. (Source: York University, Sustainable Energy Initiative, Feb., 2020)
Contact: York University, sei.info.yorku.ca, www.yoku.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Climate Change,
The EIA report notes
emissions from the power sector dropped to level last seen in the late 1980s, when the IEA estimates that electricity demand was one-third lower than today.
(Source: IEA, Feb., 2020)Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, IEA, Carbon Emissions ,
The US recorded the largest emissions decline on a country basis, with a fall of 140 million tonnes -- 2.9 pct. US emissions are now down by almost 1 gigatonne from their peak in 2000.
In 2019, EU emissions fell by 160 million tonnes,
Japan's emissions dropped by 45 million tonnes, while
Emissions in the rest of the world grew by close to 400 million tonnes -- with almost 80 pct of the increase coming from Asian countries where coal-fired power generation continued to rise.
(Source: IEA, ESI Africa, 11 Feb., 2020) Contact: IEA, Dr Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, IEA,
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a global switch to LEDs is one of the most actionable and ready-to-implement technologies for cities to transition to a low-carbon economy. This is especially important given that lighting accounts for nearly 6 pct of global CO2 emissions, with outdoor street lighting accounting for 25-50 pct of a city's entire electricity use.
With LED lighting, cities and municipalities can expect to make energy savings of between 50-70 pct, alongside reduced maintenance costs. (Source: The Climate Group, PR, DEC., 2019)
Contact: Signify, www.signify.com/en-gb; The Climate Group, Toby Morgan, LED Program Manager, LED@theclimategroup.org, www.theclimategroup.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light, Energy Efficient Light,
Buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2 emitter. Our homes, offices and buildings are the EU’s biggest CO2emitters, as well as its single largest energy user. Decreasing and decarbonising the energy consumption to heat, cool and use buildings is crucial for the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 at the latest. Since most of the buildings that we will occupy in 2050 are already built, the main challenge is to renovate these 210 million existing buildings to make them less energy-hungry. At the current rate of renovation, it would take another century to achieve a decarbonised building stock, instead of the targeted30 years. Further inaction risks the EU missing its climate objectives by up to 400 million tonnes of CO21.Around 50 million people still live in energy poverty. Deep renovation of their homes would lower their energy bills and make their houses more comfortable and healthy. Well-insulated buildings moreover offer the flexibility to receive energy when it is available, thereby allowing the effective integration of renewables in the energy system during the entire year
.Integrating buildings in the EU ETS is complex and time-consuming. Urgent action on buildings is vital to overcome the climate and social crises facing Europe today. Integrating the building sector in the EU ETS is complex and likely to take at least several years. That is time we do not have, and which diverts attention from more effective short-term measures. The EU should instead prioritize a Green Deal for housing to unlock vast investments for building renovations, while creating local jobs and more energy-efficient and affordable housing.
What is the EU ETS? The EUETS sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by installations from the power, industry and aviation sectors. The cap is reduced over time so that emissions go down. Within the cap, companies receive or buy emission allowances which they can trade with each other, thereby creating a carbon price. The building sector is already covered by a cap on how much greenhouse gases can be emitted as part of the Effort Sharing Regulation; the EU’s other climate legislation targeting sectors not included in the EU ETS.
Carbon pricing does not deliver more affordable, energy-efficient homes. According to the International Energy Agency2, most of the energy efficiency potential is available at a negative cost. This means that these efficiency measures already pay for themselves, even in the absence of a carbon price. The reasons why these measures, such as energy renovation, are not taken are usually not economic in nature, but rather the result of market-barriers and -imperfections. In the case of the building sector, these barriers include split incentives between those making investments (i.e. home-owners) and those paying energy bills (i.e. tenants), the inability to come up with high upfront costs and a lack of information on renovation opportunities and financing options. Including the building sector in the EU ETS would do nothing to overcome these barriers to make buildings more energy-efficient. Even worse, the introduction of a carbon price for the heating and cooling of buildings could lead to higher energy bills for tenants or homeowners who are not able to, or cannot afford to, renovate their homes.
Governments should remain responsible for the built environment. Extending the EU ETS to buildings would mean that governments are no longer accountable for introducing measures to decarbonise the building stock under the Effort Sharing legislation. Under the Effort Sharing Regulation, each Member State has annual climate targets that it needs to meet. By integrating buildings in the EU ETS, the sector would be taken out of the Effort Sharing Regulation, putting the responsibility of climate action instead on heating fuel suppliers. The integration of the building sector in the EU ETS could lead to the dismantling or shying away from more effective EU and national energy efficiency legislation, under the pretext that this would undermine the functioning of the carbon market. This would be dangerous as the decarbonisation of the building stock requires dedicated policies beyond a carbon price. It is up to governments to put in place programmes to accelerate renovation, to introduce minimum energy performance standards for buildings and to prioritize measures to alleviate energy poverty. These actions will not happen through the EU ETS, but by policymakers taking ownership of the transition to a climate-neutral built environment.
Green Deal for housing should be a key priority for Europe. Without urgent and accelerated action to renovate up to 97% of the European building stock by 2050, it will be impossible to meet the EU’s climate objectives. Fortunately, buildings’ operational emissions can be cut by 100%, mostly by using already commercially available solutions such as insulation. Including the building sector in the EU ETS distracts from taking effective measures to overcome the main barriers hampering the renovation of the EU building stock and the alleviation of energy poverty. The EU instead needs to put in place an enabling framework to ensure that the worst energy performing buildings are phased out over time, to guarantee quality homes for people and clear a pathway to climate-neutrality. The European Green Deal presents a perfect opportunity to deliver on comfortable, affordable and energy-efficient housing. This Green Deal can help unlock 130 billion euro per year to fill the investment gap for energy-efficient buildings3. Over 2 million jobs in Europe could be created throughsuch investments in energy efficiency –in particular in the deep renovation of buildings4.
(Source:EURIMA - European Insulation Manufacturers Association, Nov., 2019) Contact: EURIMA, Femke de Jong, femke.dejong@eurima.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news, Insulation news,
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Insulation,
The rate of improvement has now declined for three years in a row, leaving it well below the 3 pct minimum that is central to achieving global climate and energy goals, according to an IEA statement.
The IEA report finds the recent deceleration in efficiency progress is a result of social and economic trends, combined with some specific factors such as extreme weather. At the same time, policy measures and investments are failing to keep pace with the rising energy demand. This means that new ways of policy thinking that move beyond traditional approaches are required, particularly to maximize the potential efficiency gains from the rapid spread of digital technologies throughout economies and energy systems.
The report includes a special focus on the ways in which digitalization is transforming energy efficiency and increasing its value. By multiplying the interconnections among buildings, appliances, equipment and transport systems, digitalization is providing energy efficiency gains beyond what was possible when these areas remained largely disconnected, according to the report. (Source: International Energy Agency, Economic Times, 5 Nov., 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Energy Efficiency,
In energy terms, biodiesel consumption in Indonesia already resulted in a notably higher share of domestically produced fuel supplies in 2017. By 2024, its contribution could expand to offset 17 pct of diesel demand. In 2017, ethanol use had only a minor effect on domestic fuel supplies in China and India. However, if nationwide E10 was achieved, its contribution would be much more visible in 2024, replacing 6 pct of petrol demand.
Nevertheless, the IEA said the countries would still remain reliant on imported oil to meet transport fuel demand.
Replacing imported oil with domestically produced biofuels also improved national trade balances. Blending E10 with petrol in 2024 would improve China's trade balance by $$4.9 billion and India's by $1.2 billion, while meeting 20 pct of road transport diesel demand with biodiesel would improve Indonesia's trade balance by $1.3 billion, the report notes. (Source: IEA, Oil & Fats Int'l., 5 Nov., 2019)Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, IEA,
Offshore wind presently accounts for only 0.3 percent of global electricity generation, according to the IEA. Based on current and proposed policies, capacity is set to increase 15-fold over the next two decades, turning wind power into a $1 trillion business, according to the IEA.
In Europe, offshore wind will soon beat new natural gas-fired capacity on cost and be on a par with solar PV and onshore wind.
The UK today has the biggest capacity for wind power, but China is likely to have the largest offshore wind fleet by 2025. The industry is also growing in markets such as the United States, Taiwan and Japan.
(Source: IEA, Reuters , Oct., 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News IEA, Offshore Wind,
The increase in emissions from SUVs is behind the power sector, but ahead of heavy industries, trucks, aviation and shipping. Carbon dioxide emissions from other internal combustion engine cars has decreased.
The report also states that between 2010 and 2018, SUVs were responsible for increasing the oil demand from passenger cars by 3.3 million barrels a day. SUVs are said to consume a quarter more energy than medium-size cars. (Source: International Energy Agency, Team-BHP, 22 Oct., 2019) Contact:
International Energy Agency, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Carbon Emissions, CO2,
China is set to have the largest biofuel production growth of any country. The rollout of 10 pct ethanol blending in a growing number of provinces and increasing investments in production capacity drive a tripling of ethanol production by 2024. Brazil registers the second largest growth, boosted by the introduction of the Renovabio programme in 2020. The United States and Brazil still deliver two-thirds of total biofuel production in 2024. (Source: IEA Renewables 2019 Report, Oct., 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, , Biofuel, Ethanol, China Biofuel,
The IEA report notes: energy efficiency gains could "allow the world to extract twice as much economic value from the energy it uses today"; efficiency would cut consumer energy bills by more than US$500 billion annually and, by 2040, provide 40 pct of the GHG reductions the world needs to meet Paris Agreement commitments.
Report details and free download HERE. (Source: IES, BIV, 14 Oct., 2019) Contact: EIA, www.eia.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News International Energy Agency, Energy Efficiency,
Norilsk, 186 miles inside the Arctic Circle, is home to Norilsk Nickel, the world's leading nickel and palladium producer. The company is reportedly implementing a major effort to deal with environmental issues and to slash SO2 emissions by 75 pct from 2015 levels by 2023.
The South African town of Kriel is the site of state-owned power utility Eskom's 2,850 MW Kriel Power Station and two other nearby coal-fired plants, as well a Sasol owned coal-to-liquid plant. Eskom operates a fleet of aging coal-fired plants and is reportedly struggling to meet its emissions targets.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) South Africa is among the world's top 10 coal producers with an estimated 3.5 pct of the world's coal resources.
(Source: NASA, Voice of America, 20 Aug., 2019)
Contact: Greenpeace India, www.greenpeace.org/india/en; NASA, www.nasa.gov; Eskom, www.eskom.co.za
More Low-Carbon Energy News NASA, Greenpeace, SO2, Eskom, Coal,
Cities account for two-thirds of the world's energy demand and 70 pct of energy-related emissions, the report said, citing International Energy Agency data.
According to the not-for-profit ACEEE,
"City resources are always tight. The lack of data could also be due to emission-cutting goals having only recently been adopted, or to insufficient political will."
(Source: ACEEE, VOA. July, 2019)
Contact: ACEEE, David Ribeiro, Report Lead Author, Research Manager, www.aceee.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ACEEE, Energy Efficiency, Carbon Emissions,
To avoid this greenhouse effect, air conditioning has been the standard solution, but, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy used on air condition has doubled since 2000 and presently accounts for about 14 pct of all energy consumed.
In obvious agreement with the IEA, in April NYC mayor Bill de Blasio said he would ban all-glass buildings and force developers to retrofit existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient, although the "ban" was later clarified to mean "excessive use of glass and steel."
In the UK, London's mayor Sadiq Khan ruled out a similar plan but released regulations requiring construction firms to assess a building's energy use across its whole life-cycle and to use special types of glass that can block sunshine in hot weather, or even generate electricity themselves, such as the Edge building in Amsterdam. (Source: Various Media, Guardian, July, 2019)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Consumption, Building Energy Efficiency,
PSEG claims a long history of addressing climate change as an embedded part of its business and culture including:
PSEG is a publicly traded diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. Headquartered in with operating subsidiaries -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island. (Source: PSEG, PR, 25 July, 2019) Contact: PSEG, Ralph Izzo, Pres., CEO, www.corporate.pseg.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News PSEG, Carbon Emissions ,
According to the report, there are currently two main challenges related to assessing the environmental and economic components of biorefining processes -- data availability and stakeholder participation. To address these issues, IEA Bioenergy's Task 42, Biorefining in a Circular Economy, examined assessments currently underway to determine the capability of biorefineries in creating a sustainable future. Such assessments aim to highlight the potential of biorefineries to enhance the use of biomass in generating both products and energy.
IEA Bioenergy was established in 1978 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programmes in bioenergy research, development and deployment. The International Energy Agency acts as energy policy advisor to 28 EU Member Countries plus the European Commission, in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Current work focuses on climate change policies, market reform, energy technology collaboration and outreach to the rest of the world, especially major producers and consumers of energy like China, India, Russia and the OPEC countries.
Access report details HERE.
(Source: IEA Bioenergy, 20 July, 2019) Contact: IEA Bioenergy, www.ieabioenergy.com
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But nuclear fleets in the US and Europe are on average more than 35 years old and many of the world's 452 reactors are set to close as cheap gas and tighter safety requirements make them uneconomical to operate.
According to the IEA report, "Without policy changes, advanced economies could lose 25 pct of their nuclear capacity by 2025 and as much as two-thirds of it by 2040." The report notes renewables like wind power have increased in advanced economies, but the decline in nuclear has left the clean energy share of the global power supply unchanged in 20 years. In order to offset the expected decline of nuclear, investments in renewables would have to grow fivefold, the report adds.
According to IEA Energy Markets chief Keisuke Sadamori, it is more expensive to build new wind and solar than to extend the lifespan of existing reactors, which require investment of $500 million to $1 billion per GW of capacity.
Many U.S. reactors have already seen their lifespan extended to 60 from 40 years.(Source: IEA, CBC, 27 May, 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
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The workshop covered the current status of and regional policy plans for the development of offshore wind, along with the key opportunities for accelerating deployment and the main challenges constraining growth. It took place in support of the first in-depth look at offshore wind in the World Energy Outlook (WEO), the IEA's flagship publication.
(Source: International Energy Agency, OE Digital, 13 May, 2019)
Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Faith Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
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The cement sector accounts for around 7 pct of global CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. (Source: Heidelberg Cement, Climate Home News, 13 May, 2019)
Contact: HeidelbergCement, Dr Bernd Scheifele, CEO, Jan Theulen, Director Alternative Resources, www.heidelbergcement.com
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Coal use rose 0.7 pct in 2018 with higher demand for coal coming from Asian countries, including China and India. The pace of growth slowed down from the 4.5 per cent rise in coal use in 2017, although it still remains the largest source of electricity. Coal use accounted for 10 billion tonnes of carbon emissions in 2018, with China, India and the US accounting for 85 pct of the net increase in emissions. The 560-million-tonne increase in carbon emissions in 2018 was equivalent to total emissions from international aviation.
In 2018, US GHG emissions increased by 3.1 pct, China's emissions climbed 2.5 pct and India's carbon emissions increased by 4.5 pct.
The IEA notes that 2018's global energy consumption increased by 2.3 pct with fossil fuels accounting for 70 pct of the increase. (Source: IEA, Mar., 2019) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org
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