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Energydesk
Q&A: Fracking and Naturally Occuring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
Shale often contains small quantities of Naturally Occuring Radioactive Materials which return to the surface with fracking fluid. Kyla Mandel takes a look at how this is handled in the US and what that is likely to mean over here. Please note, NORM has no serious health implications.
UK
Future of offshore wind in serious doubt
Following yesterday's report by the think-tank IPPR The Guardian reports on claims that the future of offshore wind in the UK may be in doubt with costs high and jobs and economic benefits going overseas. The IPPR claims this is because the government has failed to provide long-term certainty to the industry but the report reflects the higher than expected strike prices announced last week for the industry.
Scottish Tidal energy estimates challenged
Scientists have estimated that the maximum average amount of electricity that can be generated from tidal turbines placed in the Pentland Firth is 1.9 gigawatts, with a more realistic output being nearer to 1GW. The government had claimed that tidal power could supply 14GW dubbing it the new Saudi Arabia.
£3m fine for E.On over energy saving light-bulbs
Energy firm E.On has been hit with a £3m penalty for failing to prove that it distributed free energy-saving light bulbs to consumers. Some of the light bulbs were sold in the Irish Republic, while E.On could not prove that others were handed out.
CCS goes ahead without funding
Shell and SSE are to push ahead with the Peterhead carbon capture and storage scheme despite it's failure to secure any European funding. Developers are now relying on getting money from the UK government.
US Shale gas boom town
The Sun reports on the mid-west's 'gold rush' for shale oil alongside a readers poll showing 75% think shale gas should go ahead in the UK.
Fact-check: Lord Lawson and shale gas
Carbon Brief fact-checks Lord Lawson's claims on shale gas.
Habitats & food threatened by climate change
Climate change could pose risks to the UK's ability to produce its own food within ten to fifteen years if the government doesn't change the way water resources are managed, according to a new report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
WORLD
Can Germany afford energy transition?
The BBC's Matt McGrath examines the progress of Germany's energy transition to renewable energy looking at the criticism of rising costs from some in industry. 40% of Germany's renewable energy is owned by private individuals and cooperatives - who both benefit from and support the changes.
What's going on with shale gas in China (and Poland)
The FT reports from the two new frontlines of the shale gas revolution, Poland and China. In the former a combination of geology and bureaucracy seems to have left things looking bleak for the industry. In the latter it appears things are just going rather slowly.
EDF gets permission to raise prices
French owned energy giant and UK big-six provider and Nuclear power station owner, EDF, has secured permission from the French government to put up energy bills in France. The increases of 5% this year and next sent the firm's publicly traded shares soaring. It may also make it easier for EDF to invest in new capital projects such as the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in the UK.
Russia to launch floating nuclear power plant
The Mail reports on plans in Russia to launch it's first new floating nuclear power plant in three years time. The plant will provide power for 200,000 people, the paper reports, and also help to provide clean water. It's main purpose, however, is to provide energy to big industrial users and offshore oil and gas extraction.
And finally... Kite power...
With the prospects for offshore wind looking decidedly shaky clean tech geeks have found a new thing to get worked up about - kite power. After Google's secretive X division invested in a kite like floating wind turbine device the Guardian have gone to try out a kite power scheme in The Netherlands.
