By Joseph Nyangon Innovative financing, increased capital investment and technological improvement are catalyzing renewable energy growth. The energy market in the United States is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by technological advancement, market dynamics, and better policies and laws—none of which was a decade ago. Venture capitalists made huge profits from the computing boom of the 1980s, […]
Read More »Energy Dilemma of Ethical Cities and the Solar City’s Promise
By Job Taminiau, Jeongseok Seo and Joohee Lee No one in large cities would want to have a nuclear or a coal-fired power plant in their residential boundaries. Recognizing environmental and health risks of conventional power plants, it becomes increasingly unthinkable to propose the construction of such power plants near populous areas. Instead, remote locations are […]
Read More »Obama’s Budget Proposals for Clean Energy and Climate Investment
President Obama has released a $4 trillion budget proposal for FY 2016. It contains a range of programs designed to encourage deployment of the next generation clean energy and energy efficiency technologies.
Read More »“One Less Nuclear Power Plant”: Seoul’s Commitment to a Low-carbon and Non-nuclear City
The recent nuclear accident in Fukushima alarmed many throughout the world. South Korea as one of Japan’s neighbors was immediately shaken by this historical nuclear disaster. However, Korea’s national energy plan to maintain and possibly increase dependence on nuclear energy has not changed much despite worrisome voices from civil society and local communities located near nuclear power plants.
Read More »Pathways to Deep Decarbonization Report
Key findings of this report show that total CO2-energy emissions from the identified 15 preliminary deep decarbonization pathways can lead to a decrease in emissions by 45%. While this does not achieve the full decarbonization needed to assure to stay below 2 degree Celsius limit, the report stresses that pathways can be immediately implemented, which moves us substantially toward a global goal of living sustainably.
Read More »Impacts of Shale Boom in the U.S. and Beyond
Increased shale oil and gas production may not keep oil and gas prices down in the long-term as a prolonged price slump could tighten profit margins forcing energy companies to cut or delay investment projects. Escalating conflicts of attrition among top oil-producing nations are also possible as countries scramble for new energy markets. The resultant price rout would weigh on other markets and sectors devaluing currencies exposed to oil exports as well as intensifying risks to oil-dedicated sovereign wealth funds.
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