Chuyên mục: Năng lượng – Energy

“The Future of Low-Carbon Road Transport: What Role for Second-Generation Biofuels?”

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Rapporteur’s Report, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School

June 2015 Authors: Joern Huenteler, Former Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Henry Lee, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program

OVERVIEW

Belfercenter – The promise, prospects, and public policy trade-offs related to second-generation biofuels in road transport were addressed in an executive session convened at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, on April 7 and 8, 2015. The workshop brought together twenty-eight of the world’s leading experts from the fields of policy, science, and business for an intensive two-day session (see the Appendix for a list of the participants). The discussions were off-the-record, with each participant present in his or her own capacity, rather than representing his or her organization. This report is a summary of the main points and issues raised over the two days. It has been reviewed by all the participants. The summary is intended to reflect the breadth of the discussion, rather than to suggest any form of overall consensus among the participants. Tiếp tục đọc ““The Future of Low-Carbon Road Transport: What Role for Second-Generation Biofuels?”” →

The emerging renewable financing landscape

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Green bonds – and a newer, flashier financing vehicle called the yieldco – are generating considerable buzz in the renewable energy sector. In Asia, it’s early days but experts say it’s a matter of time before these financing options become widely available for infrastructure owners and investors.

armstrong main

Eco-business: According to the UN Environment Programme, more than US$270 billion was invested in green energy projects and infrastructure, mainly in solar and wind energy in 2014. Much more investment will be needed. Image: Shutterstock

By Jean Chua Wednesday 1 July 2015
With more companies, funds and endowments planning to divest from fossil fuels, the role of renewables as a key energy source has never been more important.According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in 2014, more than US$270 billion was invested in green energy projects and infrastructure, mainly in solar and wind energy. In June, the US$900 billion Norwegian Government Pension fund, one of the largest in the world, announced that it would begin selling its coal assets which are worth about US$8 billion. Tiếp tục đọc “The emerging renewable financing landscape” →

The Impact of Lower Gas and Oil Prices on Global Gas and LNG Markets

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
OIES – The aftermath of warmer than normal 2013/2014 winters in Europe and Asia, evidence of slowing Asian LNG demand growth through 2014 and the collapse of the oil price in late 2014 has resulted in a painful ‘new normal’ for key players in the global gas system, specifically LNG project investors and Russia/Gazprom. Although this paper has used a similar approach to previous work by the author relating to global LNG interactions, the context in mid 2015 has changed markedly and while the gas industry has in the past experienced and weathered periods of low prices, this time ‘it really does feel different’. At one level we can rationalise the slowdown in Asian LNG demand and stagnant European gas demand as having a direct causal impact on European hub and LNG spot prices. The oil price fall has in parallel brought oil – indexed gas and LNG contract price levels down to levels unimaginable just two years ago. With project economics challenged and cashflows crimped, investors in new gas supply projects, especially LNG, will inevitably hold back, cut costs and await a more positive market outlook.At a more fundamental level however, what we may be about to witness is a significant disruption to regional gas equilibria as a wave of new (Australian) LNG supply meets a slowing Asian market and a significant regional component (US/North America) re-connects with the global system in the form of 77 bcma (and counting) of new LNG export projects. Europe will be a passive recipient of excess supply at a time when its gas demand growth is at best tepid, but its import requirement may be rising due to declining domestic production.
This paper has addressed the following questions:

Tiếp tục đọc “The Impact of Lower Gas and Oil Prices on Global Gas and LNG Markets” →

Asia takes the lead on sustainable energy but many still have none

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Eco-business – Although Asia has done well on ensuring electricity access for people and using renewable energy, there is room for further improvement on energy efficiency and access to clean, smoke-free cooking. CSR Asia chairman Richard Welford outlines how the private sector can help.

vietnam woman cookstove

A woman cooks on a wood cookstove in Vietnam. Asia needs to do more on providing access to clean, smoke-free cooking and improving energy efficiency. Image: LIETHUNG TRAN / Shutterstock.com

By Richard Welford  Friday 26 June 2015
Asian countries are making a vital contribution to achieving global sustainable energy goals, according to a new World Bank report. However, while the region performs strongly on ensuring electricity access for people and using more modern renewable energy, there is room for further improvement on energy efficiency and access to clean, smoke-free cooking, particularly for poor people. In total 1.1 billion people still have no access to adequate energy. Tiếp tục đọc “Asia takes the lead on sustainable energy but many still have none” →

Germany Gives Dirtiest Coal Plants Six Years for Phase Out

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này
by
July 2, 2015 — 9:24 AM BST Updated on July 2, 2015 — 3:03 PM BST
A Coal-Fired Power Plant
A coal-fired power plant in Janschwalde, Germany. The government’s coal plans would mean immediate closures of lignite mines and power stations, RWE AG Chief Executive Officer Peter Terium told shareholders on April 23. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Bloomberg – Germany’s main political parties worked out a compromise plan to cut power-industry pollution by handing a six-year lifeline to some of the dirtiest coal-fired plants. Tiếp tục đọc “Germany Gives Dirtiest Coal Plants Six Years for Phase Out” →

Thai Solar Energy Plans 300 MW Solar PV Capacity In Japan

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

July 2nd, 2015 by

Cleantechnica– Global interest in Japan’s renewable energy sector, specifically the solar power market, continues to strengthen with a major developer from Thailand looking to boost its footprint in the land of the rising sun.

Thai Solar Energy has announced that it will set up 300 MW worth of solar power capacity in Japan over the next 3 years. The company will start with the implementation of a 25 MW solar power plant, then expand the installed capacity to 100 MW by the end of 2016, which will eventually be increased to 300 MW.

Thai Solar Energy claims to be “the first company in Southeast Asia to have effectively applied solar energy commercially.” The company is moving into Japan as the government policies support development of renewable energy projects and a large number of solar power projects are already under construction. Tiếp tục đọc “Thai Solar Energy Plans 300 MW Solar PV Capacity In Japan” →

The End of Coal: Ontario’s coal phase-out

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Melissa Harris, Marisa Beck, Ivetta Gerasimchuk

IISD – Ontario has successfully implemented its policy to put an end to coal use in 2014. This energy transition has become “the single largest GHG reduction measure in North America”: since 2007, when coal accounted for about 25 per cent of its electricity generation, Ontario has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 34 Mt or 17 per cent.

What lessons can be learned from Ontario’s coal phase-out experience? How can its success be replicated in other parts of the globe? This paper explores this question for all those around the world who may draw inspiration and lessons learned from Ontario: policy-makers, campaigners, entrepreneurs and others interested in transitioning to a low-carbon future.

We rely on the concept of the “window of opportunity” and suggest that all elements critical to a sustainable energy transition can be clustered within the four “panes” of this “window”: context, champions, concerns and complementary policies. These “panes” provide the basis for the structure of this paper. This analysis has been informed by a comprehensive review of existing literature and semi-structured interviews with high-level experts from Canadian political and academic circles, industry and civil society.

 

 

Năng lượng hạt nhân: một dạng “đô hộ” mới

~ Phạm Thu Hường ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Người Đô thị – 02/07/2015 – 22:55 PM

Đây là nhận định và thông điệp của cuốn sách “Mệnh lệnh năng lượng bắt buộc: 100% tái tạo ngay bây giờ”. Cuốn sách vừa được một nhóm bạn trẻ Việt Nam đang học tập và làm việc ở nước ngoài dịch hoàn tất (có bản quyền).

Tác giả cuốn sách là Hermann Scheer, người Đức, vừa là một chính trị gia vừa là một trong những người khởi xướng hàng đầu thế giới về năng lượng tái tạo.

Cho rằng điện nguyên tử không phải là giải pháp giải quyết khủng hoảng năng lượng, trong cuốn sách “Mệnh lệnh năng lượng bắt buộc: 100% tái tạo ngay bây giờ”, tác giả Hermann Scheer nhận định: phát triển điện nguyên tử chỉ mang lại nguy cơ sạt nghiệp cho quốc gia nghèo, ảnh hưởng tiêu cực rất nhiều lên kinh tế, môi trường, xã hội.

Đặc biệt, Hermann Scheer có nhắc tới Việt Nam trong cuốn sách. Ông viết: “tất cả đều tỏ ra quen thuộc với khái niệm điện hạt nhân, không có ai nhìn thấy bất kỳ vấn đề cơ bản nào với điện hạt nhân, và tình trạng kiến thức của họ về năng lượng tái tạo ở một mức độ điển hình của những năm 1970.” Tiếp tục đọc “Năng lượng hạt nhân: một dạng “đô hộ” mới” →

Năm 2015: Việt Nam ‘đi ngược’ thế giới

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Tuanvietnam – Từ nước xuất khẩu, từ năm 2015 VN phải nhập khẩu than. Thế giới chuyển sang phát triển năng lượng tái tạo, từ bỏ nhiệt điện than, điện nguyên tử, thì VN lại thúc đẩy.

Phần 1: Luật cũng không ngờ sự ‘táo bạo’ của con người
Phần 2: Không thể lấy tiền thuế dân đền quyết sách sai

Tuần Việt Nam giới thiệu phần cuối toạ đàm: “Tận thu tài nguyên đất nước” cùng ông Đào Trọng Tứ, GĐ Trung tâm Phát triển bền vững Tài nguyên nước và thích nghi biến đổi khí hậu; bà Ngụy Thị Khanh, GĐTrung tâm Sáng tạo Phát triển xanh Green ID và ông Nguyễn Minh Thuyết, nguyên là ĐBQH khoá XI, XII.

Play Tiếp tục đọc “Năm 2015: Việt Nam ‘đi ngược’ thế giới” →

China pushes ahead with high risk, high cost nuclear

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Paul Dorfman 20.05.2015

Chinadialogue.net – China accounts for almost half of the world’s new-build of nuclear reactors but recent delays, cost overruns and safety scares are challenging the country’s plans for atomic energy, writes Paul Dorfman

article image
The Qinshan nuclear power plant under construction in Haiyan County in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang. China could have around 50 such stations hooked up to the grid by the end of the decade (Image by baike)

Nuclear power has had a makeover. What was once seen as a futuristic source of limitless energy has been reframed as a response to global warming, an ideal solution for countries looking for a continuous source of low-carbon power. But who are these countries? Tiếp tục đọc “China pushes ahead with high risk, high cost nuclear” →

How should we address nuclear risks in Asia?

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

CSIS.org – While North Korea would appear to be the most prominent nuclear risk in Asia, the United States faces a more complex web of nuclear challenges as it works to build secure and sustainable relationships in that region. More than ever, a strong U.S. role in nuclear energy and nonproliferation in that region will be crucial for reducing emerging nuclear risks.

Without a doubt, nuclear energy will grow fastest in Asia, given the ambitious construction plans of China and South Korea, and the tremendous energy needs of other emerging economies and exploding populations. This contrasts with Europe and the Americas, which are likely to see little growth or perhaps even decline in nuclear energy. Unlike in the 1970s when U.S. Nuclear exports dominated the global market, the nuclear power plants that will be constructed in Asia are much more likely to be “homegrown”—that is, built by Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean nuclear vendors. In all three cases, there is a tremendous learning curve in nuclear governance, for domestic and export programs.In China, the rapid pace of nuclear power plant construction (16 operating and 29 under construction) is placing strains on a relatively small regulatory system, prompting outside concerns that China needs more resources (financial and human) for nuclear regulation. After the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan, China halted construction for a year although targets for growth have not changed. Tiếp tục đọc “How should we address nuclear risks in Asia?” →

Ảnh hưởng của nhà máy điện hạt nhân của Trung Quốc và sự an nguy của tổ quốc

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Tiến sĩ Bạch X. Phẻ
Tiến sĩ Trần Tiễn Khanh

Boxitvn – Nhân duyên chúng tôi, một người học môi sinh và một người học hoá, gặp nhau trên đất Thái trong dịp thuyết trình hai đề tài liên quan đến Môi sinh và cách thức lãnh đạo bằng chánh niệm tại Đại Lễ Phật Đản Vesak 2015 – Tam Hiệp của Liên Hợp Quốc. Sau những ngày tâm sự và làm việc chung, cũng như trước những băn khoăn và ưu tư hướng về Tổ quốc. Chúng tôi quyết định viết bài ngắn này để cho người dân nhận thức được những diễn biến có thể xảy ra liên quan đến sự an nguy của đất nước.  Trong năm 2015 này, có hai nhà máy điện hạt nhân của Trung Quốc đưa vào hoạt động mà có thể ảnh hưởng trực tiếp đến Việt Nam.

Trường hợp 1 –  Cảnh báo về Nhà máy điện hạt nhân ở Quảng Tây

Một nhà máy điện hạt nhân đang được hoàn thành ở gần thành phố Qinzhou thuộc Quảng Tây. Nhà máy mang tên là Fangchenggang, được khởi công xây dựng năm 2010 và sẽ bắt đầu hoạt động vào năm nay 2015. Trong giai đoạn 1, nhà máy có hai lò với công xuất 2000 MW và vốn đầu tư là $3.7 tỉ USD.  Còn có thêm 4 lò với công suất 4000 MW và tổng số đầu tư là $10.4 tỉ USD.  Với công suất rất cao này sự thiệt hại, nếu bị rủ ro tại nạn rảy ra thì de doạ đến tính mạng và đời sống của nhiều người dân.
Tiếp tục đọc “Ảnh hưởng của nhà máy điện hạt nhân của Trung Quốc và sự an nguy của tổ quốc” →

Climate change should be top foreign policy priority, G7 study says

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ Bình luận về bài viết này

Wednesday 24 June 2015 13.21 BST

Theguardian – Global warming ‘ultimate threat multiplier’ posing serious risk to world security, says report urging governments not to see it simply as a climate issue

Turkana men carry rifles as they herd goats inside the Turkana region of the Ilemi Triangle, northwest Kenya December 21, 2014. The Ilemi Triangle is a disputed region in East Africa, claimed by South Sudan and Kenya, bordering also Ethiopia. The dispute arose from unclear wording of a 1914 treaty which tried to allow free movement of the Turkana people, nomadic herders who had traditionally grazed the area. Picture taken on December 21, 2014.
Armed Turkana men herd goats inside the Ilemi Triangle region, northwest Kenya. Water scarcity has made it a disputed territory in east Africa, claimed by South Sudan and Kenya. Photograph: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

Tackling climate change risks must become a top foreign policy priority if the world is to combat the global security threat it poses in the 21st century, according to a new study commissioned by the G7 countries. Tiếp tục đọc “Climate change should be top foreign policy priority, G7 study says” →

Hague climate change judgement could inspire a global civil movement

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ 1 bình luận

“886 Dutch citizens, including teachers, entrepreneurs, grandparents and students united to sue their government for its inaction on climate change. In a decision likely to reverberate across the world, the court ordered the state to reduce emissions by 25% within 5 years to protect its citizens from climate change.”

Theguardian – Dutch ruling could trigger similar cases worldwide with citizens taking their governments to courts to make them act on climate promises

Urgenda 's legal team celebrating after court ruling in The Hague
Urgenda’s legal team celebrate on Wednesday after court ruling in the Hague that ordered the Dutch government to cut emissions by 25% within five years. Photograph: Chantal Bekker/Urgenda

Tiếp tục đọc “Hague climate change judgement could inspire a global civil movement” →

Climate Changes May Eradicate 50 Years Of World Health Progress (In Depth)

~ Đào Thu Hằng ~ 3 bình luận

June 24th, 2015 by

Cleantecnica.com – “Recent decades have witnessed dramatic progress in global health,” says the US Agency for International Development. Smallpox has been eradicated within the past half century. In all but three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan), polio has been wiped out. Use of modern methods of contraception has increased from 10% in 1965 to more than 50% in 2013. Child deaths from diarrhea have been cut in half since 1990. Malaria deaths have fallen by more than a quarter globally since 2000. Only half as many mothers died in live childbirth in 2010, compared to 20 years earlier. Unheard of 50 years ago, HIV/AIDS has now transited from certain death to a chronic ailment.

Developed and developing photo, from Costello et al, 2009 (thelancet.com/journals/lancet/)But climate change could quickly wipe out the past 50 years of world health progress. Tiếp tục đọc “Climate Changes May Eradicate 50 Years Of World Health Progress (In Depth)” →