QUOTABLES:
The growing penetration of renewable energy sources increasingly requires integration with storage systems, such as batteries, to provide the necessary flexibility to the electrical system and thus enhance the growth of renewable energy sources themselves. In addition, the combination of renewable energy sources in electricity generation with the electrification of consumption, will be the most cost-effective way for decarbonization for most of the final energy uses. But if we want to meet the goals of carbon neutrality, we will need to use other energy vectors, such as green hydrogen, to respond to sectors where electricity is not a technically viable or an economically attractive option.
Miguel Stilwell de Andrade, CEO EDP
Register for @solaralberta‘s #SolarShow2021 to learn about energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, alternative forms of transportation, and Alberta’s role in the energy transition. General admission is FREE! #solar #solarab https://t.co/qn6XhgFS5Y
— Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (@MCCAC_Alberta) February 18, 2021
Rural districts are owed $245M in unpaid taxes from oil and gas companies. This will force them to raise taxes or cut services for residents. And a UCP law prevents municipalities from going after the companies for payment. 🤯😡 #AbLeg #abpoli https://t.co/H7QqvqHhiM
— Gil McGowan (@gilmcgowan) February 19, 2021
Like Sara Hastings-Simon I too learned a lot. Listen to that clip for Laura’s advice to scientists on how to be good communicators!
#energytransition #climatechange https://t.co/tJXqcT2Bby— Ed Whittingham (@EdWhittingham) February 19, 2021
Exciting start to our annual debate on the needs to achieve net zero targets and ambitions for COP26!
Let us know your thoughts below, #ChathamHouseRules means whatever’s said in the debate, stays in the debate!@ProfStrachan @gener8ingbetter @bvgassociates @WaveEnergyScot #fwm21 pic.twitter.com/48ceqDcxx4— Wind & Marine Energy Systems & Structures CDT (@WindEnergyCDT) February 19, 2021
The #energytransition is about more than the move to #renewable energy production. Explore how different sectors are working toward a more #sustainable energy future in the latest edition of #StantecERA: https://t.co/MHkeGv0eG9 pic.twitter.com/71mxbOUaGS
— Stantec (@Stantec) February 17, 2021
World News:
How a ‘Climate Emergency’ Could Harness Wartime Powers for the Energy Transition
This week on The Energy Gang: Should Biden declare an emergency?
Climate change is certainly the most urgent issue we face. But should it be formally declared an emergency?
There’s a real conversation over the label in the U.S. — and it could have a very real impact on what the president can do.
This has been a growing priority for environmental groups. Grist reported that in December, more than 380 of them sent a letter to Joe Biden’s transition team, urging him to issue an executive order mobilizing the National Emergencies Act.
And now, Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the House and Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Senate, among others, just introduced The National Climate Emergency Act of 2021.
What could be the counter-impact? Changes across the energy economy are set to accelerate. If we don’t do it correctly, are we facing a “Yellow Vest” protest movement like those in France?
And finally, a new study shows that some cities are grossly under-reporting their carbon emissions. Do cities even have the resources to measure them properly?
Alberta Headlines:
Alberta cold snap no match for the furnace-free warmth of a net-zero home
Growing interest in homes that produce energy and use it wisely
A polar vortex brought bitterly cold temperatures to Alberta this week, but thanks to the sunny weather through this cold snap, Darryl Zubot was cosy and warm inside his house without needing to fire up a furnace.
Zubot and his family live in a home that has been designed to be net-zero. Once its solar panels are installed this spring, the home will produce as much energy as it consumes, thanks to a suite of features — like massive triple-pane windows, additional insulation, extra-efficient appliances and a heat pump — that decrease its energy use.
Every year, the amount of energy the house generates and uses should cancel each other out.
Zubot used to live in a cold, poorly insulated house on an acreage. When his family was looking to build a new house in Leduc County, south of Edmonton, he was interested in energy efficiency and building something more environmentally friendly.
“I do follow climate change quite a bit, and I definitely think we need to do our part to reduce our oil consumption,” Zubot, told CBC Edmonton’s Radio Active this week. “I know it’s not going to change overnight and we still need oil, but it’s definitely slowly transitioning.”
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE WEB ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY & TRANSITION