World Energy Inside
December 2015
Philippe Joubert presents the GEI survey findings at COP21
Global Electricity Initiative: 94% of utilities already affected by extreme weather events
The findings of the latest Global Electricity Initiative, (GEI), survey of electric power utilities were presented to key stakeholders during the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) by GEI Executive Chair, Philippe Joubert. It found that utility CEOs consider a global agreement on GHG emissions vital to their businesses sustainable success.
Altogether 94% of CEOs participating in the survey confirmed that their companies are at the global forefront of the clean energy industry as it pursues pioneering and commercially viable technologies and systems.
World Energy Council Chair welcomes new Masdar patron
Welcome to our newest patron
The World Energy Council has welcomed its latest Patron, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Masdar Initiative. The Masdar Initiative is the UAE’s flagship entity whose aim is to advance the clean energy industry in Abu Dhabi and around the world, and be a catalyst for the economic diversification of the Emirates.
The Patron agreement was celebrated at COP21 in Paris on 7 December by the Council’s Chair Marie-José Nadeau, Masdar’s Chairman and the UAE’s Minister of State, Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
Spain focus on Atlantic Basin and governance
Spanish meeting focuses on Atlantic basin and global energy governance
This year the theme of the annual Spanish member committee conference in Madrid was “Governing Energy: the Atlantic Basin and Global Institutions”. It brought together almost 400 attendees and 25 national and international speakers including Alberto Nadal, Spanish Secretary of State for Energy. Discussions focused on energy flows in the Atlantic Basin, the governance of energy institutions, the World Energy Issues Monitor, as well as COP21.
Speakers present a range of views
Socio-environmental issues top the agenda in Colombia
Practices and policy guidelines that promote socio-environmental management of projects and ensure the viability of Colombia’s energy and mining sector were top of the agenda at a high level meeting attended by over 100 participants where Jairo León García, Technical Secretary of the Colombian member committee, spoke.
García said: “We need to consider all proposals on the table if we are to help Colombia achieve a balanced Energy Trilemma and meet sustainable energy targets which are so important for the future of Colombia.”
RESI agrees structure of 2016
Renewable Electricity Systems Integration Knowledge Network agreement
The Renewable Electricity Systems Integration, RESI, Knowledge Network chaired by Dr. Alessandro Clerici has agreed the structure of the 2016 report.
The RESI report will analyse the growing percentage of RESI sources that include wind and solar PV based on information from 17 countries covering technical and economic challenges to past, present and future power projects. Conclusions in the report will be based on how effective different approaches and technical measures are in attracting future investment.
More action needed on Eurasian
Seoul Council Energy Symposium calls for faster energy alliance progress
At the World Energy Council Korean symposium, where around 170 leaders from government, public authorities, research institutions and the industry met, there was a call to progress the Eurasian Energy Integration project.
The project, which has existed for some time, aims to meet the ultimate need of establishing an integrated energy market in the Eurasia region. Among the many key speakers were the Korean Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and Younghoon David Kim, Co-Chair World Energy Council.
Natural gas to stay
Gas supply security: a challenge for Europe?
Addressing the French member committee in Paris, Jean-Marie Dauger, Chair Strategy and Communications Committee, talked about the future of gas supplies in Europe saying: “Natural gas will remain a key component of the energy balance for many decades because of the abundance of reserves and the role it plays in replacing coal.”
He spoke about the issues surrounding supply security in a rapidly changing context where global gas reserves are abundant, but access to resources depends almost exclusively on operators making investments.
Bolivian Academy established
Bolivia World Energy Leaders Academy established
At the 8 th Bolivia Gas & Energy International Congress, Claudia Cronenbold, Chair of the Bolivian member committee and Luis Alberto Sánchez, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, signed an agreement to establish a Bolivian Training Academy. Cronenbold said: “The Academy training programmes will be based on four basic standpoints: physical, technical, economic and political / regulatory concepts. We aim to train future leaders to better understand the work of the World Energy Council and address energy issues in a holistic way.”
Wind energy part of Austria’s future
Austria: Wind energy moves towards base load generation
The Austrian member committee recently organised a workshop in Vienna on important new developments in wind energy technology and the contribution that wind is making to electricity generation. In one region of Austria the annual electricity generated by wind energy is already exceeding demand. Various workshop presentations highlighted the economic, regulatory and technical challenges that the wind industry is facing now and in the future such as the integration of high-altitude wind power energy into the transmission grid.
