Kyoto 'sustainable' policy to promote coal power

The Clean Development Mechanism - a framework designed to stimulate sustainable development projects in developing countries using predominantly EU funding - is to subsidize new coal-fired plants in India and China. This controversial decision raises serious concerns about the framework's environmental integrity and the legitimacy of its contributions to sustainable development.

Published By Datamonitor

Liquefied natural gas: cargoes do not necessarily follow price

European utilities and governments are placing more and more emphasis on the movement of liquefied natural gas by tanker to bolster supply security. Sole reliance on regional price dynamics to attract deliveries of this important and flexible source of gas supply is not sufficient and additional strategies may be required.

Published By Datamonitor

Low-temperature, low-pressure systems could take waste heat recovery into the mainstream

A growing number of eco-awards are being won by process heat recovery systems. The Aqua-Society, for example, won the 2010 German Sustainability Award for its production of electricity from low-pressure waste steam at temperatures as low as 70 degrees Celsius. While such capabilities could help popularize the technology, it remains to be seen whether it can match the success of wind and solar.

Published By Datamonitor

Mackenzie Valley: approved pipeline faces competition from shale gas industry

Canada's federal regulators have approved the Mackenzie Valley pipeline in the Northwest Territories after more than three decades of debate. The $16bn pipeline will bring Arctic natural gas to the Canadian market and create thousands of jobs. However, the challenge for stakeholders will be to determine the commercial viability of the project, compared to other supply sources such as shale gas.

Published By Datamonitor

McDonald's: greasing the wheels of ethical practices

By deciding to convert its UK delivery vehicles to biofuel, McDonald's has become the latest consumer giant to commit to greener business practices. The retailer no doubt expects the move will help boost its corporate image, which has taken several knocks in recent years. However, it may not improve its image overnight, given its poor ethical track record.

Published By Datamonitor

National Grid/Lattice: new Brit monolith to target the States

The merged group is likely to make acquisitions in the northeastern US, where National Grid already has a foothold. Its major advantage will be its combined buying power and coverage in both the electricity and gas sectors. This particularly suits the US market, where there are many companies covering electricity and gas distribution.

Published By Datamonitor

National Grid: expansion planned in US

Published By Datamonitor

National Grid: finding solace on a distant shore

That UK-based network operator National Grid will now garner greater profit from its US business than its European arm only serves to highlight the stunted liberalization of the EU energy market. Implementation of the second electricity and gas directive has been patchy at best, with power distribution set to remain under the aegis of individual member states for some time to come.

Published By Datamonitor

National Grid: growing out of UK transmission

Published By Datamonitor

National Grid: looking for growth in the US

Published By Datamonitor