A new asset class is coming to the energy industry. One of the most exciting innovations in energy over the past decade has been the development of energy storage technology. Batteries have become viable for almost every size project, from homes to the largest utilities. In 2018, 311 megawatts (MW) and 777 megawatt-hours (MW-hr) of
And it may be messing with our weather. Ice is melting in unprecedented ways as summer approaches in the Arctic. In recent days, observations have revealed a record-challenging melt event over the Greenland ice sheet, while the extent of ice over the Arctic Ocean has never been this low in mid-June during the age of
The UK recorded its greenest ever winter in 2018/19, as mild conditions, high renewable output and system flexibility combined to send carbon intensity tumbling. National Grid ESO’s Winter Outlook document, published yesterday, revealed that the average carbon intensity of power generation over the period established a new record low of 242.8g CO2/kWh, almost half the
Recent power outages related to wildfires and other weather-related events suggest that a battery storage system might be a sensible addition when installing a solar photovoltaic system. The cost of battery storage is dropping, and there are alternatives available to reduce the cost further. “The era of available electricity whenever and wherever needed is officially
Climate experts have welcomed the UK’s new target to cut emissions to “net zero” by 2050 as a “crucial first step” in combating global warming. The new goal is one of the most ambitious set by a major polluting nation and Britain is the first major economy to make the pledge. But while Tuesday’s announcement
Details have emerged of the UK's Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which will see owners of small-scale solar facilities continue to be paid for surplus energy sent to the grid, aiming to close the policy gap left by the end of feed-in tariffs (FiTs), by the end of 2019. Details of the SEG have been much-awaited
What is a 72-hour emergency bug-out pack? Many people have never heard of a 72-hour emergency bug-out pack. It is a pre-prepared kit that’s designed to give you what you need for the next three days if you must leave your home. It’s supposed to be a self-contained kit that gets you through the next
'Hell on Earth' predicted if immediate action isn't taken to replace fossil fuels with clean energy. A climate change paper grabbed headlines this week with its terrifying prediction of what the world will be in 30 years' time - absent drastic and immediate change to human societies. "World of outright chaos," "Climate apocalypse," "We're all
The UK must scale-up decarbonisation of heat and transport, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest in-depth review of UK energy policies. Whilst the report praises the UK’s overall decarbonisation efforts, it stressed the need for greater investment in the transport and heat sectors if the country is to reduce its emissions in line
The UK government should consider targeted support for small-scale battery storage if it wants households to participate in a smarter, lower carbon energy system, according to Brian Davis, vice president, Energy Solutions at Shell International. Shell New Energies acquired German battery storage firm Sonnen in February. The company has deployed hundreds of megawatts of storage