The EU’s Biofuels: Certified as Sustainable?
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2012)
The focus of the article is on the practical implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria. The article discusses verification of compliance through voluntary certification schemes, one of the three ways in which Member States can enforce their responsibility of requiring economic operators to show compliance with the sustainability criteria. The voluntary certification schemes are tasked with guaranteeing that all biofuels verified by said schemes are sustainable and produced under the criteria set by the Renewable Energy Directive. The European Commission has claimed that the EU certification scheme is the most stringent of its kind in the world, ensuring that EU biofuels meet the highest environmental standards. However, this article questions these claims and discusses whether the voluntary certification schemes, as the central implementation mechanism for the Renewable Energy Directive, can fully guarantee sustainable biofuels in accordance with the sustainability requirements set in that directive.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (12/2012)
The focus of the article is on the practical implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria. The article discusses verification of compliance through voluntary certification schemes, one of the three ways in which Member States can enforce their responsibility of requiring economic operators to show compliance with the sustainability criteria. The voluntary certification schemes are tasked with guaranteeing that all biofuels verified by said schemes are sustainable and produced under the criteria set by the Renewable Energy Directive. The European Commission has claimed that the EU certification scheme is the most stringent of its kind in the world, ensuring that EU biofuels meet the highest environmental standards. However, this article questions these claims and discusses whether the voluntary certification schemes, as the central implementation mechanism for the Renewable Energy Directive, can fully guarantee sustainable biofuels in accordance with the sustainability requirements set in that directive.
Failed With Subsidies? – Try CO2 Tax!
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
Subsidies and feed-in tariffs have become a pre-condition for wide-scale renewable energy deployment. However, outcomes after twenty years of generous technologyspecific support are diametrically opposed to policy objectives. This paper examines the causes of this apparent “green paradox”, and differentiates subsidies and CO2 tax’s influence on firms’ strategic decisions. I posit that subsidies choose a priori technology champions that ignore technological obsolescence risks. In contrast, CO2 taxes provide pricing signals that inform exit decisions from polluting technologies. By leaving firms to decide on their technological responses, CO2 tax penalties could encourage low carbon technology innovations.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
Subsidies and feed-in tariffs have become a pre-condition for wide-scale renewable energy deployment. However, outcomes after twenty years of generous technologyspecific support are diametrically opposed to policy objectives. This paper examines the causes of this apparent “green paradox”, and differentiates subsidies and CO2 tax’s influence on firms’ strategic decisions. I posit that subsidies choose a priori technology champions that ignore technological obsolescence risks. In contrast, CO2 taxes provide pricing signals that inform exit decisions from polluting technologies. By leaving firms to decide on their technological responses, CO2 tax penalties could encourage low carbon technology innovations.
Promoting Renewable Energies in the Philippines: Policies and Challenges
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
The potential renewable energy capacity of the Philippines is estimated to be 2,600 MW of geothermal, 13,097 MW of hydroelectric, 70,000 MW of wind, 170,000 MW of ocean energy, 323 MMBFOE of biomass, and 5.1 kilowatt-hour (kWh)/m2/day of solar energy.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
The potential renewable energy capacity of the Philippines is estimated to be 2,600 MW of geothermal, 13,097 MW of hydroelectric, 70,000 MW of wind, 170,000 MW of ocean energy, 323 MMBFOE of biomass, and 5.1 kilowatt-hour (kWh)/m2/day of solar energy.
Private Renewable Energy Production In Israel: Background And Lessons To Be Drawn
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
The objective of this paper is to provide the reader with an overview of the regulatory framework for private renewable energy production in Israel, focusing on its licensing arrangements and Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT) for solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, wind power, bio-gas, and bio-mass power production. After a general overview, this paper concludes with initial lessons to be drawn from the Israeli experience thus far. The authors believe that this paper will be of interest to policy makers, academic researchers and legal experts, as well as investors and business people who wish to understand the new Israeli renewable energy market.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
The objective of this paper is to provide the reader with an overview of the regulatory framework for private renewable energy production in Israel, focusing on its licensing arrangements and Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT) for solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, wind power, bio-gas, and bio-mass power production. After a general overview, this paper concludes with initial lessons to be drawn from the Israeli experience thus far. The authors believe that this paper will be of interest to policy makers, academic researchers and legal experts, as well as investors and business people who wish to understand the new Israeli renewable energy market.
Joint Support and Efficient Offshore Investment: Market and Transmission
Connection Barriers and Solutions
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
Different support schemes are applied for the promotion of renewable energy sources in EU Member States. Current EU legislation opens opportunities for international cooperation to achieve national renewable targets more efficiently, either by statistical transfers, joint projects or joint support schemes. This article investigates their interplay with support schemes and applies the results to offshore wind energy. With all North Sea neighbouring countries planning offshore wind installations and considering a coordinated offshore grid, this constitutes a good starting point for coordinated action. Two case studies on the regulatory combinations of joint projects financed under tendering and tradable green certificates as a joint support scheme are contrasted, addressing main barriers and possible solutions. Joint projects are an interesting option in the midterm, whereas joint support schemes may be more attractive on a longer time horizon.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (9/2012)
Different support schemes are applied for the promotion of renewable energy sources in EU Member States. Current EU legislation opens opportunities for international cooperation to achieve national renewable targets more efficiently, either by statistical transfers, joint projects or joint support schemes. This article investigates their interplay with support schemes and applies the results to offshore wind energy. With all North Sea neighbouring countries planning offshore wind installations and considering a coordinated offshore grid, this constitutes a good starting point for coordinated action. Two case studies on the regulatory combinations of joint projects financed under tendering and tradable green certificates as a joint support scheme are contrasted, addressing main barriers and possible solutions. Joint projects are an interesting option in the midterm, whereas joint support schemes may be more attractive on a longer time horizon.
Rare earth elements in WEEE: Case study of Neodymium potential in hard disk drives
© Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂĽr Abfallwirtschaft e.V. (DGAW) (3/2012)
Many developments in the electric and electronic equipment (EEE) and renewable energy technology sector are based on the use of rare earth elements (REE). However, the recycling problem of these materials is not solved yet. This case study investigates the application of Neodymium in one of the broadest products in use. Hard disk drives contain a high amount of theoretically recoverable rare earth elements. Nearly 3,5 % of the total weight consists of permanent magnets with Neodymium, 6,5 % are printed circuit boards (PCB) with other rare earth elements. Due to the compact construction style, shredding is the most common first step of recycling in the fore treatment facilities. This process leads to a total loss of the Neodymium and other REE. Tests point out the used types of connection, show possibilities to dismantle single components and give ideas for further recycling technologies.
© Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂĽr Abfallwirtschaft e.V. (DGAW) (3/2012)
Many developments in the electric and electronic equipment (EEE) and renewable energy technology sector are based on the use of rare earth elements (REE). However, the recycling problem of these materials is not solved yet. This case study investigates the application of Neodymium in one of the broadest products in use. Hard disk drives contain a high amount of theoretically recoverable rare earth elements. Nearly 3,5 % of the total weight consists of permanent magnets with Neodymium, 6,5 % are printed circuit boards (PCB) with other rare earth elements. Due to the compact construction style, shredding is the most common first step of recycling in the fore treatment facilities. This process leads to a total loss of the Neodymium and other REE. Tests point out the used types of connection, show possibilities to dismantle single components and give ideas for further recycling technologies.
Extended Emissions Trading Versus Sustainability Criteria: Managing the Ecological and Social Ambivalences of Bioenergy
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
In accordance with the results of our general analysis, the analysis of different legal regulations within the law of bioenergy has shown that selective approaches are unsuited to resolve the ambivalences of bioenergy. Instead, climate policy has to bear a comprehensive approach that addresses reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency and renewable energies by introducing a global carbon price and a global cap on greenhouse gas emissions. This approach would at the same time help to deal with the ambivalence of bioenergy, since it would slow down the bioenergy boom and help avoid indirect land-use impacts.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
In accordance with the results of our general analysis, the analysis of different legal regulations within the law of bioenergy has shown that selective approaches are unsuited to resolve the ambivalences of bioenergy. Instead, climate policy has to bear a comprehensive approach that addresses reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, energy sufficiency and renewable energies by introducing a global carbon price and a global cap on greenhouse gas emissions. This approach would at the same time help to deal with the ambivalence of bioenergy, since it would slow down the bioenergy boom and help avoid indirect land-use impacts.
Support of Renewable Heat in the UK and in Germany
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
Great Britain is introducing the “world’s first” scheme for the support of renewable heat which relies on periodic payments being made to accredited generators of renewable heat. The main features of this support scheme are discussed in this article and contrasted with the German approach, which is essentially based on quota obligations and a market incentive programme.
© Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (3/2012)
Great Britain is introducing the “world’s first” scheme for the support of renewable heat which relies on periodic payments being made to accredited generators of renewable heat. The main features of this support scheme are discussed in this article and contrasted with the German approach, which is essentially based on quota obligations and a market incentive programme.
3. Other Forms of Energy, EQF 4 Premium
© AIRE (Adapting and installing an international vocational training for renewable energy) (1/2012)
Which knowledge, skills and competences does an AIRE specialist need as far as usual forms of energy are concerned?
© AIRE (Adapting and installing an international vocational training for renewable energy) (1/2012)
Which knowledge, skills and competences does an AIRE specialist need as far as usual forms of energy are concerned?
6. Customer Service, EQF 3 Premium
© AIRE (Adapting and installing an international vocational training for renewable energy) (1/2012)
Which knowledge, skills and competences does an AIRE specialist need as far as customer service, advising and councelling is concerned?
© AIRE (Adapting and installing an international vocational training for renewable energy) (1/2012)
Which knowledge, skills and competences does an AIRE specialist need as far as customer service, advising and councelling is concerned?
