Renewables

Stopping Russian aggression means rejecting its fossil fuel exports – and, ultimately, switching to renewables

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Paul Hockenos compares the efforts of the EU and the US in view of weaning from Russian fossil fuels. On the ground, Ukraine’s transition to distributed renewables already rhymes with resilience against the aggressor.

By Paul Hockenos

Plan for completion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant continues to pose a security threat

Analysis

Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček refused to exclude Russia’s Rosatom from the tender until it was revealed that operatives from Russian military intelligence, the GRU, were behind the 2014 explosions at munitions warehouses in Vrbětice. Even now, however, the Russian candidate is not out of play entirely. How is that possible, and what does it mean for Czech security?

By František Marčík

The hill leading to the Texas Capitol where locals are playing in the unusual snow.

Texas Power Grid Failure: Causes, Lessons Learned and Implications for EU Energy Market Transformation

Analysis

In mid-February 2021, the US state of Texas, much like the rest of the country, was hit by a series of three severe winter storms. The resulting near-arctic weather conditions have laid bare the long-standing weaknesses and inefficiencies of the Texas energy system.

By Matěj Jungwirth

Student protests helped to set Prague’s Climate Ambitions in motion

It happened quickly and quietly. Within two minutes, Prague City Assembly members managed last September to discuss and approve a local obligation to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 % by 2030. Of the 58 assembly members present, 40 voted in favor and nobody was against.

By Petra Kolínská

Cloudy skies over Czech photovoltaics

In many countries, solar energy is enjoying great success – photovoltaic modules are increasingly affordable and available to those interested in producing their own electricity. In the Czech Republic, however, those investing in and building solar power stations must constantly resist efforts by the government to destabilise the business environment.

By Martin Sedlák

Renewables: The Only Path to a Secure, Affordable and Climate-friendly Energy System by 2030

European energy policy is facing major challenges. In order to tackle the climate crisis, a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is essential. At the same time, security of supply and affordable energy for a competitive economy must be ensured.

Study: A European Union for Renewable Energy

The Heinrich Böll Foundation commissioned a working group of experts from politics, industry, applied science and civil society considering the challenges of European energy security, economic competitiveness and sustainability and the need to convince governments, businesses and European citizens of the practical feasibilty of a common European vision.

European Community for Renewable Energies - ERENE

The global energy system is undergoing a structural crisis. At its heart lies the need to restrain climatic change while at the same time dealing with energy security in an era of rapidly growing demand. The widening gap between rising demand for energy and limited resources of oil and gas has, together with speculation, increased fuel prices to record levels. This in turn has raised the spectre of a recession. These combined challenges pose a significant threat to international economic and political stability. The current make-up of the European Union, with its flagging institutional reform owing to the Irish No vote, is ill-equipped to deal with these challenges. An outdated Nice treaty that does not reflect the new realities of an EU with 27 members is impeding effective decision-making, thereby undermining the EU’s role in a rapidly changing international system that is increasingly being shaped by rising powers such as China, India and Russia. The urgency for institutional reform is quite clear to everyone. Nevertheless, in times like these the EU cannot limit itself to institutional reform alone.

Reality check on the Bali promises after Bonn II: Where is climate heading to in Copenhagen?

In mid-December 2007, the US delegation finally stopped blocking the way towards reaching agreement and the Bali Action Plan was approved late at night. After two weeks of tough negotiations, which included booing in the room, the approval was a “real breakthrough and a real opportunity” as Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, put it.

Future of the energy systems

The alleged “renaissance of nuclear power” was already on shaky footing before the Fukushima accident. Actually, the number of nuclear power plants is decreasing steadily around the world. During the next 15-20 years, more old installations will go off the grid than new ones will start up. Today, no utility around the world risks building a new nuclear power plant without government subsidies and guarantees.

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