Shift in the Global Energy Paradigm

RENO, Nev. - Dec. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- The recently released IPCC report states that the global warming trend is continuing as a result of increasing GHG emissions. If nothing is done to curb these emissions (primarily due to fossil fuel use), IPCC warns further warming may result and induce many changes in the global climate system during the 21^st century that would very likely be larger than those observed during the 20^th century.

The COP-19 meeting in Warsaw discussed Climate Change and discussed GHG targets that the countries should meet in advance of the next meeting in Paris.

With discussion increasingly turning to reduction of GHGs and warnings on the effects of climate change, there is an increased emphasis on energy efficiency to achieve these goals – there is a paradigm shift in the energy regulation moving increasingly to energy conservation and energy efficiency. Energy efficiency has emerged as a new paradigm to curb GHG as it diminishes the requirements for additional power plants.

Smart Energy Universe (wwww.smartenergyuniverse.com) provides timely, factual and in depth coverage of   global smart energy news and trends.  Last week there were a number of important strategic developments which included:   the Russian Presidium met to discuss the energy situation in Russia, in the UK Labor issued a “Green Paper “on Energy and in Europe CEER issued a report on European Energy Policy.

Energy conservation and efficiency was the focus of discussions of the Russian Presidium presided by Dmitry Medvedev. Premier Medvedev noted that energy conservation and energy efficiency became a national priority in 2008. He stated that energy conservation is vital to ensure competitiveness, financial sustainability, and the energy and environmental security of the country. Priorities for energy efficiency included smart grids and fuel cells.

Among energy efficiency plans the meeting noted that smart grid project is currently being implemented in the Kaluga and Belgorod regions and in the city of Kaspiysk in the Republic of Dagestan.

Fuel cells are also important and there was discussion centered in this area. Currently, Russia produces plates for fuel cells and is working to transfer fuel-cell technology from the U.S. and Korea.

Across the Channel, as the U.K. moves towards implementing EU GHG target, energy prices are rising. The opposition Labor Party has responded to this with a “Green Paper”.  Ed Milliband, the Labor Leader, said “I have a new message for Sid, we will freeze your bills for 20 months, we will reset the market with real competition so that prices are affordable, we will secure the investment we need.”

The EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) recently published a report on the energy situation in Europe. According to the report, on average, electricity prices for households increased by 4.6% in 2012; gas prices rose by 10%.; price regulation did not prevent an increase in the electricity and gas bills.

For our special report on Russian Presidium meeting, Labor’s “Green Paper”, the CEER report, as well as breaking news in the LNG and other smart energy areas, visit www.smartenergyuniverse.com