Paving the way for renewables in Central America

Central America is rich in renewable energy resources. However, the region is far from harvesting its enormous resources to their fullest potentials, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. The study serves as a "roadmap of a roadmap," scoping the improvements needed to facilitate the transition to a sustainable energy system and establishing the necessary methodology and groundwork for comprehensive regional and national energy strategies.

Residential solar PV continues to near grid parity

Since second half of 2012, almost every country from ten monitored countries - including Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, UK and USA California - has improved its grid parity according to the second Photovoltaic Grid Parity Monitor, published by Leonardo Energy and Eclareon. Improving has been caused by a reduction in the cost of PV systems, driven by lower equipment prices across the board and increased competition in emerging markets like Brazil, Chile or Mexico.

UN climate talks see progress towards new deal

The UN climate conference in Bonn ended on Friday after making concrete progress towards a new universal climate change agreement and on creating solutions to increase existing global action to deal with climate change, according to released statements. As a result of the constructive and flexible engagement amongst governments, nations now have a clearer idea of how to move to achieve demonstrable progress at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Poland later this year and beyond.

Renewable investment shifts to developing countries

Global capacity across all renewable energy sectors increased in 2012. Investment in renewables significantly grew in developing countries while globally decreased due to reduced technology costs and policy instability in some industrialized countries. However, with USD244 billion 2012 was the second highest year ever for renewable energy investments, which total USD1.3 trillion since 2006, show two major reports.

Linked Open Data could boost climate action

The world's leading climate knowledge brokers gathered last weekend to exchange experiences and thoughts on Linked Open Data (LOD) and how it could be a useful technology to accelerate climate change adaptation and mitigation. A strong focus on what the target users, often policy-makers or advisers, really need and want is the key. It was also agreed that proofing impact is a major requirement to access the funds available.

IEA calls for intensive climate action before 2020

Warning that the world is not on track to limit the global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, the International Energy Agency today urged governments to swiftly enact four energy policies that would keep climate goals alive without harming economic growth. The IEA report shows how to stop growth in energy-related emissions by 2020 at no net economic cost. Delaying the move would result in substantial additional costs to the energy sector.

China becoming global force in renewable investment

China ranks first in the world in attracting clean energy investment, receiving USD65.1 billion in 2012. The country is also becoming a global force in international clean energy investment, writes WRI Insights. "If current trends and drivers are any indication, China's renewable energy investments will continue to grow over the coming years. If accelerated and scaled, these investments can substantially contribute to building a global, low-carbon economy," the article says.

MENA renewables to experience massive growth

The renewable energy markets of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are growing rapidly. Regional investment topped USD2.9 billion in 2012, up 40 percent from 2011, according to a new report. More than 100 projects (7.5 gigawatts) were in the pipeline presenting a 4.5 fold capacity increase in the next few years. However, several challenges need to be addressed to foster greater private investment - including market-based policies, financial uncertainty, and policy risk.

UN panel smoothes path for African CO2 reduction

Developers of emission reduction projects in ten African nations face less red tape to earn carbon credits after a UN panel agreed rule changes it hopes will re-invigorate its ailing carbon market, writes Reuters Point Carbon. The panel of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has agreed the first two areas for which developers could share greenhouse gas data, simplifying rules that previously forced them to estimate emission figures for every project.

Clean energy champions in developing countries

At the Vienna Energy Forum, REEEP ran a two-day workshop with its project implementers. The innovative projects were successfully showcased - including energy and food, up-scaling of successful business models for renewable energy and energy efficiency and projects that address the provision and innovative use of reliable energy data. The projects, implemented in the difficult environments of developing countries, were praised as champions.

U.S. and Cambodia agree on green growth efforts

Cambodia and the U.S. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on low emissions and climate resilient development in Cambodia, states the U.S. Embassy to Phnom Penh. Cambodia is the 19th country to sign an this kind of agreement with the United States. Cambodia has made significant progress in addressing climate change challenges. The MOU reaffirms the pivotal role that climate change plays in economic development.

Japan photovoltaic solar market booming

A total of 1.5 gigawatts (GW) worth of solar PV systems were installed in Japan in the first quarter of 2013, up from 0.4 GW during the same time last year, according to a new report. The high prices of PV systems in Japan will drive it to become the world's largest market in revenue terms, the IHS report says. While huge growth opportunities exist in the country, capitalizing on them is not a straightforward task for international suppliers.

Availability of African renewables remains stable

Climate change could have an impact on the availability of renewable energies in Africa. However, a JRC report shows that wind patterns are not foreseen to change in the mid-term and hydropower will not be significantly altered. The cost decrease in solar power is expected to more than compensate for a slight efficiency decrease caused by the temperature rise. Sustainable exploitation fuel wood resources remains crucial for the African bioenergy potential.

U.S. energy-storage systems may get tax credits

Four U.S. Senators have proposed legislation offering tax incentives to homeowners and companies that install energy-storage systems in an effort to boost investment in renewable power, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Improving storage technologies and installing them will enable the use of solar and wind power, especially during peak hours of power usage, providing stability to the energy grid and lessening the need for high-cost peaking electricity.

Promoting residential positive energy buildings

A new collaboration aiming to encourage the construction of one billion square meters of positive energy and affordable social housing by 2023 has been launched by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) and REEEP. The project's main challenge consists in reversing the mainstream trend around building performance by making buildings become net energy providers, instead of energy users, in all climates and for all consumers, rich and poor.