Damian's energy dispatch

Energydesk

Will we get as much gas from pig poo as shale?
Remember Biogas? We didn't, it's been somewhat outshone lately by the mature evidence based discussion over shale. But it's still there, and actually it's growing quite fast. Jordan Nadian has taken a look.

UK

New Scientist warns on fracking and climate
In a wide ranging analysis the New Scientist opinion piece warns that two recent studies suggest replacing coal with shale gas may offer limited (or no) benefit to the climate - at least in the medium term. 

Big six profits rise
Figures compiled by the Labour party suggest the profits of the Big 6 energy firms have risen since the coalition came to power.

PM says no to wind-farms, yes to fracking
There will not be "a lot more" onshore wind farms but the UK is "missing out big time" if it doesn't embrace shale gas which could reduce bills says David Cameron. 

WORLD

Economist: China world's worst polluter and biggest green investor
"China has a huge domestic market, cheap capital and sunny, windy deserts: the ideal environment to build a zero-carbon energy system," but it probably won't do it in time to avoid triggering serious climate change.

Solar could be cost competitive 
“We’re at a point now where demand starts to be driven by cold, hard economics rather than by subsidies and that is a game changer,” says Jason Channell of Citigroup.

Algae biofuel from poo to power EU vehicles
We're on something of a waste theme today. "This original new approach to bioenergy means that Spain's 40 million population could power 200,000 vehicles every year with a single toilet flush," says the coordinator of a project which could become one of the first to successfully commercialise fuel from Algae - or not.


Farming bubble threatens bust
The threat posed to agriculture by environmental hazards such as climate change and water scarcity is now so great that it could wipe as much as £5 trillion off the value of the world’s farm land, equipment and stock in any one year, a study shows.

Norway oil fund to become active investor
The fund which invests the money from Norway's oil industry is set to play a bigger role in selecting directors in the firms it holds - such as Volvo.