Continuation of the theme that wind and other renewable power sources reduce the cost of providing an electricity service.
Wind: The cheapest solution for electricity generation in South Africa
February 12th, 2010Renewables are expensive, we all know that
January 21st, 2010Mr. Brian Dames the COO of Generation in South Africa’s ESKOM said that “renewables are expensive, we all know that. We are a moderate wind country and we will exploit that”.
Those who live in Glasshouses…
January 15th, 2010An article appeared on the Financial Times on Thursday 7th January. It argues that nuclear is the cheapest low carbon electricity source. The article was written by Vincent de Rivaz, CEO of the French owned EDF energy, which plans to build at least four new reactors in Britain at a cost of around £20 billion. In particular, the claim was made that nuclear is the cheapest large-scale low-carbon electricity source.
A record of change
December 22nd, 2009There are many books and articles written on the management of change. I myself have had to participate in and to lead change in organisations. It is never easy. The most commonly heard phrase is “that fellow over there really needs to change, me, I’m ok.” Since biblical times it has always been easier to remove the mote from one’s neighbour’s eye than remove the beam from my own shoulder.
Climate Summit at Copenhagen:
December 22nd, 2009The following quote is from one of the documents I receive every day, “Nopenhagen, fiascopenhagen, slowpenhagen, COP out, flop COP, bad COP, the great disappointment. Call it what you will, but under no reasonable interpretations did the climate conference in Copenhagen (COP15) end as a success.”
Support Mechanisms
December 21st, 2009The world has tried many experiments with different support mechanisms. We see the renewable obligation system in Britain, we see tax based schemes in the U.S., we see the fixed price feed in systems of Germany and most other countries. All are designed to reduce the risk for developers and to make sure the plants can be funded.
Why Support Systems for Renewables
December 14th, 2009When a new technology like wind energy or solar is being introduced into an electricity system it always needs support. If it’s that good I hear you ask, why does it need to be supported? It’s a fair question.
Peak Oil
November 17th, 2009We were very interested to read last week that key figures on oil production produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA) were distorted following US pressure. A whistle blower at the Agency noted that it was “imperative not to anger the Americans. The fact was that there was not as much oil in the world as had been admitted. We have already entered the peak oil zone”
Environment
October 30th, 2009It’s very appropriate to review where we are on human induced global warming now. We happen to be in the immediate period before the summit at Copenhagen where decisions are going to be made about a successor to the Kyoto Treaty.
Venture Capital
October 12th, 2009It has become apparent in the last while that in addition to the difficulty of getting money from banks there is another source of illiquidity. It has equally devastating effects on progress towards growth in our society. Venture capitalists have stopped investing in companies. There are several instances that I am aware of where entrepreneurs who have splendid ideas and a considerable amount of early entrepreneurial work done are currently starved of cash and can’t get any through normal venture capital channels.
