Policy, investment and markets Features for November 2009

Policy, investment and markets Features Archive

Comment: UK lacks skills to make low carbon transition Comment: UK lacks skills to make low carbon transition

The UK does not have the necessary skills to make the transition to a low carbon economy at the pace required to meet mandatory targets - or the training arrangements in place to fill the gap, according to a report from Aldersgate Group.

Comment: Australia’s largest solar feed-in tariff Comment: Australia’s largest solar feed-in tariff

The Premier of Australia’s largest state, New South Wales, recently announced a gross feed-in tariff of AU$0.60/kWh for 7 years for solar power.

Is transmission in the USA back at the top of the agenda? Is transmission in the USA back at the top of the agenda?

In 2008, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) reported that the US could generate 20% of its electricity from wind energy by 2030, though noting that transmission issues represented a key challenge in meeting this target. One year on, some political steps have been taken – but what happens next? Don C. Smith examines the current status of the transmission issue and forecasts the possible road ahead.

Smart grids – a smart idea? Smart grids – a smart idea?

With the EU’s goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020, and the UK government’s plan to roll out smart meters to all domestic customers by the same time, the way has been paved for smart grids. Global energy consumption is set to triple by 2050, and power networks need to transform into intelligent systems that will save energy, accommodate increasing amounts of renewable energy, and ensure supply security.