Category: Energy

Sep 13

Dark energy, the mysterious cosmic force

Dark energy, the mysterious cosmic force thought to be the fuel behind the accelerating expansion of the universe, is real, according to an Anglo-German team of astronomers after a two-year study. However, the scientists declare to have no idea of what it consists of (Reuters).

Sep 11

Denmark, 100% RES by 2050

The most ambitious plan for the exploitation of renewables energy sources passed the vote of the Parliament of Denmark in March. It paves the road to total transition to renewables by 2050 and sets the goal of 35% of energy generation from RES by 2020. 50% of the final target energy supply will be generated …

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Sep 09

Oil price

The following chart (by Petrolio) shows the oil price trend from August 2003 to August 2012. Still below 100$/bbl, but street prices do not reflect its dynamics.

Sep 05

Italy: aid procedures for renewable energy sources updated

GSE, the State regulator of electricity services in Italy, has opened the “Quinto Conto Energia” (5th feed-in) scheme for photovoltaic, activating its dedicated portal with restricted access. The new regulations for other renewable energy sources (RES) plants can be downloaded here, and the new administrative form to communicate the operations startup is available here.

Sep 01

France shale ban

France isn’t prepared to tap its shale energy resources until “clean technologies” are invented to replace hydraulic fracturing, Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg said as reported by Bloomberg. IEA’s opinion on fracking does not differ much: “Industry must win public confidence by demonstrating exemplary performance; and governments must ensure that appropriate policies and regulatory regimes are …

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Aug 29

Peak cheap oil

Although Barclays Capital expects the crude market tightens by 2.4m barrels a day (bpd) this quarter, with little extra supply in sight, and  Goldman Sachs said the industry is chronically incapable of meeting global needs – “It is only a matter of time before inventories and OPEC spare capacity become effectively exhausted, requiring higher oil …

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Aug 06

Concern on “fracking” in Europe

Concern arises, as Halliburton, Chevron and Exxon declare they are starting the ‘fracking’ process in Europe, The Ecologist reported. Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in rock layers, as a result of the action of a pressurized fluid (Wikipedia) used to extract liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons. In the US, gas-extraction in the Marcellus Shale …

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