Mirror, mirror
What was once hailed as an endless source of desert electricity has now fallen by the wayside in the profitability race. Is concentrated solar power condemned to remain a niche player in the energy market.
New Energy
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A load of hot air
The Clean Development Mechanism was supposed to ensure sustainable development in emissions trading. But instead, it has turned out to be an escape route for polluters.
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Alms for climate protection
Ecuador's Yasuni-ITT initiative, a pilot project to protect the climate and the rainforest has failed miserably. How might international agreements on environmental protection be achieved in the future?
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Bringing the grid together
If Europe is to achieve its renewable energy goals, its power grid will have to grow accordingly. New studies point to a need for expansion on land and at sea. The greatest challenge lies in coordination
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A bumpy landing
China remains the largest wind market in the world, but the domestic sector is facing a tough period of consolidation. New regulations aim to improve quality and grid integration.
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In the scrap trap
Following a row that lasted several months, solar firms have finally agreed on a concept for voluntary panel recycling. This comes too late, as the EU now wants to use the WEEE Directive to dictate what
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Green carbon footprint
The greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels have been under discussion for years. Now studies commissioned by the European Union are putting pressure on biodiesel in particular.
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The lost illusion
The EU and the United States are pursuing ambitious goals in the use of CCS technology. But there are still almost no pilot projects, and cost-effectiveness remains a big question mark.
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Wales is warming up
Biomass Wales is starting wood-pellet production. Thanks to the UK introducing the world's first feed-in tariff for renewable heat, the company can look forward to good sales.
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Short-lived enthusiasm for clean energy
2011 has been a hard year for clean energy fund managers so far, and there are few signs of improvement any time soon. Investors are shunning the sector in the face of industry-specific issues such as
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Wind theft is on the rise
Wind power plants are most productive when nothing blocks their access to the wind. But turbines often take wind away from each other. Repowering and the allocation of new priority sites are aggravating