Commentary

Power Up: New hot areas for transformation - Part 2

Another technology-led area of transformation involving big data for the energy sector is in customer interactions. Utilities are using a combination of big data management tools, cloud, and mobile platforms to deliver new engagements models with consumers.

Commentary

Power Up: New hot areas for transformation - Part 2

Commentary

The impact of China's increasing energy consumption

Following a period of dramatic industrialisation in the country, China’s energy consumption has risen significantly over the past fifteen years.

Commentary

Handcuffs or handrails?: Philippine limits on FiTs

With a growing population projected to reach 100 million and a sustained economic boom, the need for new power generation in the Philippines is as obvious as the threats of blackouts.

Commentary

The future of the power market in Bangladesh

Bangladesh desperately needs to generate more electricity. Despite vast improvements in a host of human development indicators over the past 20 years or so, its ageing power stations are inefficient and are struggling to keep up with demand.

Commentary

Power up: New hot areas for transformation - Part 1

Demand for electrical power in Asian countries is nothing short of staggering; the World Energy Outlook 2013 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) Non-OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) shows countries in Asia hold the largest share of global growth in primary energy demand at 65%[1]. Nearly 40% of the world’s new electricity capacity is being shared together by China and India.

Commentary

How smart cities will help Singapore deal with tackling energy demands

In the last decade, Singapore’s population has grown by 25 percent and this number will continue to grow for another ten years. With this rapid pace of growth coupled with the impending demand that follows, it comes as no surprise when a recent study by Shell Eastern Petroleum showed that four out of five Singaporeans surveyed ranked future energy needs as important as cost of living, job security, and housing affordability1.

Commentary

The future of Singapore's renewable energy

Around the world, governments are stepping up efforts to grow their renewable energy capabilities in order to address climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Commentary

Japan's nuclear quest: Full steam ahead?

Back in 2011, after the Fukushima disaster, it appeared as though Japan’s nuclear dream was in tatters. However, only three years later, the reverse appears to be the case, with the government now beginning to attempt to resurrect Japan’s mothballed nuclear plants.

Commentary

The short-term impacts of liberalisation on the utility company

Liberalisation is a market change with a relaxation of rules allowing new players to enter a market. Sometimes this is referred to as de-regulation.

Commentary

Can China reduce its addiction to coal power?

In early March 2014, at China’s National People’s Congress, Premier Li Keqiang declared war on pollution, as the issues of smog, hazardous air quality levels, and broader environmental challenges gained unprecedented political attention.

Commentary

Addressing carbon dioxide emissions from power projects

China is planning numerous carbon capture and storage projects, which often combine enhanced oil recovery ventures. As we know, the power industry is the largest greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emitter globally; and means of recovering, utilising, sequestering, and recycling CO2 (carbon dioxide) is the key to a healthier planet, and a stronger power industry worldwide.

Commentary

The role of NAMAs in achieving low carbon growth in India

In recent years, remarkable economic growth in developing countries has caused a rapid increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in addition to the increased energy demands.

Commentary

What newcomers need to know about nuclear power programmes

Nuclear newcomers’ desire for nuclear power has not decreased even after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. Many countries are either considering nuclear power or actively preparing their infrastructure for a possible nuclear power programme.

Commentary

Does shale gas have a future in China? - Part 2

In March 2012, the NDRC, Ministry of Finance, MLR and NEA jointly issued a development plan designated for China's shale gas development. The Plan applies to shale gas development activities and initiatives in China from 2011 to 2015.

Commentary

Does shale gas have a future in China? - Part 1

According to the US Energy Information Agency, China has the largest known shale gas reserves in the world. China's Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) predicts that the country's shale gas output could reach 6.5 billion cubic metres per annum by 2015 and increase more than tenfold to 100 billion cubic metres per annum by 2020.

Commentary

Back to the Future: How is Asia's energy sector 3 years after the Tohoku earthquake?

The global nuclear ‘enterprise’ is now three years (March 11, 2011) past the historic Tohoku earthquake (M9.0), subsequent tsunami (~14-15m waves), and unfortunately, the continuing consequences of the ‘Fukushima nuclear power plant (NPP) accident. We now live in the post-Fukushima nuclear era.

Commentary