Energy Exchange

5 Reasons Clean Energy Investments Beat Expectations

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 20, 2015

By: Karin Rives, editor of EDF Voices

The solar industry is booming and the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program, chastised after several high-profile cleantech companies went belly up in 2011, has more than recovered.

In fact, leading venture capitalists, some of our largest banks and brands, and – lately – private investors are expected to continue to invest heavily in clean energy projects this year after the market rebounded with a vengeance in 2014.

Here are five reasons why. Read More »

Posted in Clean Energy, Energy Financing, Renewable Energy / Comments are closed

Big Rigs: Will the Climate Benefit from Switching Diesel Trucks to Natural Gas?

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 19, 2015

By: Jonathan Camuzeaux, Senior Economic Analyst

16058670001_80994ae935_z The surge in natural gas production that has reshaped the American energy landscape has many in the commercial transportation sector considering whether to start shifting their heavy-duty vehicle fleets from diesel to natural gas fuel. Many are looking to an advantage in carbon dioxide emissions to justify the higher cost and reduced fuel efficiency of a natural gas vehicle.

But in fact, a study published today in Environmental Science & Technology finds that while there are pathways for natural gas trucks to achieve climate benefits, reductions in potent heat trapping methane emissions across the natural gas value chain are necessary, along with engine efficiency improvements. If these steps are not taken, switching truck fleets from diesel to natural gas could actually increase warming for decades.

Methane, the main ingredient in natural gas, has 84 times more warming power than CO₂ over a 20-year timeframe. Reducing emissions throughout the natural gas value chain is an important opportunity to reduce our overall greenhouse footprint. Read More »

Posted in General, Methane, Natural Gas / Comments are closed

Want to See EDF at SXSW Eco 2015? Cast Your Vote!

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 18, 2015

Every year, SXSW Eco – one of the most high-profile environmental conferences – selects its programming based on votes from the public. This means anyone, regardless of whether you submitted a panel, can cast a vote.

This year, seven experts from Environmental Defense Fund are featured on dynamic panels that cover everything from solar equity and new utility business models to innovative building efficiency programs and the threat of methane pollution. To make sure EDF and energy-related programming is represented at the conference in Austin, TX this October, we are asking our readers to please vote for your favorite EDF panels and presentations. Read More »

Posted in California, Clean Energy, Climate, Demand Response, EDF Climate Corps, Energy Efficiency, Energy-Water Nexus, General, Grid Modernization, Illinois, Methane, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy, Texas, Utility Business Models / Comments are closed

Bank of America Votes for Renewables with Its Very Large Wallet

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 11, 2015

By: Tom Murray, Vice President, Corporate Partnerships Program

A company’s public statements matter – they can influence consumer choice, sway public policy decisions, and demonstrate leadership on important issues. But in terms of actual change, it’s where a company puts its money that really matters. This week, Bank of America (BoA) spoke with both its voice and wallet: At its shareholder meeting last week, the bank announced a new coal policy that continues the company’s commitment to reducing its exposure to coal extraction companies and accelerating the transition from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy.

According to BoA, its portfolio has grown to favor renewable energy over coal by a ratio of more than three-to-one. That’s an important step forward toward a clean, low-carbon energy future. And, it’s one that builds on moves by other institutions, like the recent news from Goldman Sachs about how the company is looking to divest some of its mining interests and Citi’s recent 10-year, $100-billion commitment toward investments in areas like energy efficiency, renewable energy, green affordable housing, and climate change resiliency projects. Read More »

Posted in Clean Energy, Energy Financing / Comments are closed

Fossil fuels haven’t lost the race, yet. Here’s the full story.

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 1, 2015

By: Jeremy Proville, Senior GIS Specialist & Economic Analyst

A recent Bloomberg New Energy Finance article made a splash saying that fossil fuels “just lost the race against renewables.” It included a striking chart, depicting changes in power capacity additions with very clear diverging trends.

Although this would be a delightful turn of events, we should be wary of putting the cart before the horse.

What may be lost on many readers is the fact that Bloomberg bases its story on power capacity, rather than actual power generation. Read More »

Posted in Clean Energy / Read 1 Response

Clean Energy Conferences Roundup: May 2015

By EDF Blogs / Published: May 1, 2015

Each month, the Energy Exchange rounds up a list of top clean energy conferences around the country. Our list includes conferences at which experts from the EDF Clean Energy Program will be speaking, plus additional events that we think our readers may benefit from marking on their calendars.

Top clean energy conferences featuring EDF experts in May:

May 5: Smart Money For Sustainable Cities (New York City, NY)
Speaker: Mary Barber, New Jersey Director, Clean Energy

Learn from experts on today’s leading edges of green financing, including topics such as greening municipal and corporate bonds, greening utilities, and building investor confidence. Get a jump start on the latest developments in renewable energy and efficiency projects at several scales. This event is free and open to the public.

Posted in Clean Energy, Conference Roundup / Read 1 Response