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EnergySource

Sep 2, 2020

California’s blackouts and renewable energy: Culprit or imperative?

By Leslie Hayward

In mid-August, California made headlines when several days of rolling blackouts coincided with a massive heatwave, with up to three million residents facing up to four hours of power outages. For Californians, this crisis must prompt an examination of both the grid management practices that contributed to these blackouts, and the optimal way to store or supplement wind and solar power. And while many were quick to blame the blackouts on the states's growing reliance on renewables, the underlying causes for the crisis can only be mitigated with more clean energy.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Aug 31, 2020

Nuclear cooperation can bolster US-Slovenia ties

By Olga Khakova

Nuclear energy will be essential to meeting Slovenia’s climate neutrality goals and strengthening the country’s energy self-sufficiency. Increased US-Slovenia cooperation on nuclear development will bolster transatlantic ties and ensure safe and transparent nuclear plant operations.

Energy Transitions Europe & Eurasia

EnergySource

Aug 28, 2020

Amidst deteriorating US – China relations, energy trade picks up in Q2

By Reed Blakemore and Reid I'Anson

Despite a precipitous decline in US-Chinese relations over the past month and a half, energy trade during the second quarter of 2020 remained robust as positive economic incentives outweighed the diplomatic tit-for-tat currently dominating headlines

China Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Aug 28, 2020

Microgrids: The NDAA’s crucial investment for energy resilience

By Katie Wimsatt

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sets the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) annual budget, but it has also become a key platform for implementing military climate resilience and emission reduction measures. By investing in microgrid systems, the military will increase its ability to maintain operations in a variety of adverse circumstances, lower carbon emissions, and spur widespread adoption of clean, resilient energy infrastructure across the United States.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 21, 2020

An effective ESG strategy strengthens the competitiveness of US liquefied natural gas

By Serena Su

As companies face increased pressure to pursue sustainable investing, business leaders around the world are taking action to address their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 20, 2020

Trans-Caspian Pipeline—Still a pipe dream?

By Daniel D. Stein

Although there have been intermittent efforts to revive the Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP), the project has largely been dormant in recent years. However, the impending completion of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a new source and route of gas supply to Europe, has led to renewed interest in TCP.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Aug 12, 2020

Energy security in the era of hybrid warfare

By Arnold C. Dupuy, PhD

On July 2, 2020, the Atlantic Council hosted a kickoff workshop to help scope and define a study authorized by the NATO Science and Technology Board (STB) to analyze hybrid warfare’s impact on the Alliance’s energy security. As an actor in international security, NATO has a vital role to play in the nexus between energy security and hybrid warfare. For this reason, the STB has placed emphasis on the study, designated as Systems Analysis and Studies-163 (SAS-163), “Energy Security in the Era of Hybrid Warfare.”

Geopolitics & Energy Security NATO

EnergySource

Aug 11, 2020

Averting crisis: leveraging the energy transition to revitalize the coal belt

By Craig Hart

America is undergoing an energy transition away from coal that will leave coal-producing communities in crisis in the absence of policy action to help transition these regions to new and cleaner industries. Until leadership at the federal level arrives, local initiatives and regional coordination will be critical to leading this effort.

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 10, 2020

Beirut’s port explosion reveals underlying problems in energy supply

By Aki Peritz

The cataclysmic explosion at Beirut’s port on August 4th could not have come at a worse time. The nation was already reeling from multiple catastrophes such as a collapsing currency, an environmental disaster on its shores, 1.5 million refugees from Syria, and a healthcare system pushed to the brink by the COVID-19 pandemic. The explosion has only exacerbated one of Lebanon’s core calamities: the lack of stable electricity.

Energy Markets & Governance Lebanon

EnergySource

Jul 24, 2020

The ACWA Power–Air Products joint venture for green hydrogen: A new Saudi energy policy?

By Jean-François Seznec and Samer Mosis

In early July 2020, the city of Neom and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia signed a joint venture agreement with Air Products of the United States to build the largest green hydrogen and green ammonia plant in the world. As the energy transition gains speed, this announcement is a significant step forward in establishing a new role for Middle Eastern oil-exporting countries in a future global economy less dependent on hydrocarbons. That said, the scale and relative inexperience of key project partners means the project still faces an uphill battle.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance