According to a new report, worldwide employment in renewable energy reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in one year, despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis. The report, published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), identifies domestic […]
Last week’s experience in California shows the impact of aggregated residential demand and the need to pay residential customers to reduce demand. California heat wave means high air conditioner usage leading to strain on the electric grid. Most state electricity policymakers focus on building more capacity or transmission to deliver that capacity but don’t pay […]
The California 2022 Energy Code for newly constructed and renovated buildings blazes a trail for states and local governments seeking to decarbonize the building sector aggressively, feasibly, and cost-effectively. The updated code, adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in August 2022, encourages electric heat pumps, establishes electric-ready requirements for new homes, and strengthens ventilation […]
Back in October 2021 I covered the factors that were about to cause a major energy crisis across Europe. Continental gas self-sufficiency was about to be kneecapped by the closure of Europe’s biggest gas field, more and more oil was being diverted from the Middle East to Chinese markets and on top of that, Russia, […]
Research from Washington University in St. Louis may soon lead to lighter, stronger carbon fiber materials and stronger plastics with a gentler environmental impact. The main ingredient necessary for these improvements is lignin, a compound that is essential for most plants but considered a waste product by industry. The key to opening up lignin’s potential […]