Commentary

Post-Paris: Taking another look at thorium nuclear

Goodbye to all that Being active in the renewable energy and climate change sector for over the past decade has meant witnessing many changes in the field. Renewables became fashionable, then fell off the table post the 2008 financial crisis, then became fashionable again.

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Post-Paris: Taking another look at thorium nuclear

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Going beyond the meter means going beyond consumer expectations

Why your customers might not be the best guide to the future.

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Missionary electrification subsidies in the Philippines

The electrification subsidy in missionary areas started on May 1, 1988 with the proclamation by the President of the Philippines that electricity rates in all islands outside the main grids shall be pegged at P2.50/kWh. Thus, the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) allocated P1.20/kWh for generation and P1.30/kWh for distribution.

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Making business case for solar PV in Singapore happen

Two years ago a commentary about the future of renewable energy in Singapore was released. Since then, the island state has witnessed rapid development of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. Tenders have been called under the SolarNova program that will locate 350 MWp of distributed rooftop PV on governmental buildings and public housing blocks by 2020.

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"Is Paris burning?": Looking anew at the significance of the Paris Climate Change Agreement

While that question hung over the last days of World War II, on December 2015 the world media definitely projected a cheerful resolution for the recent climate change negotiations there that "no", the ballyhooed Paris Agreement inked there should provide a new pathway to avoid such fate. Seeing the multitudes of various politicians all in good cheer though, one could not help but be a wee bit skeptical.

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Hydropower project development in Myanmar: Risk allocation

A specific objective mentioned in Myanmar's New Electricity Law 2014 is the intent to "increase foreign… investments in electricity-related work" and provision is made for the issuance and revocation of licenses to foreign investors.

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Humans, machines, and outcomes

On occasion of a Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident book-release1 event organised by a well-educated, secluded community in the Santa Ynez Valley (California), I came upon the above three words during a book-signing. Throughout human history of tool-making and energy-use (fire), then catapulted by currency-based commerce, the human use of "tools and energy" ever more sophisticated have determined the outcome of the human condition. Allow me to elaborate further on this theme.

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In search of better power regulation for Hong Kong

Potential improvements to Hong Kong's present electricity regulation scheme can be made, but they may result in unintended outcomes.

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Here's why reliable electricity should not be taken for granted

The reliability of the electric power generation system is vital to the economic and social well being of Hong Kong. Its reliability depends upon the seamless operation and coordination of generation and distribution systems.

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Understanding a renewable energy future for Hong Kong

Environmental advocates believe that in an ideal world wind, water, and solar technologies would provide 100 percent of the world's energy, eliminating all fossil fuels and Nations have discussed the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions for decades.

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The future of Hong Kong's electricity

When you flick a switch, there is light, it's as simple as that. It's so obvious and available we simply take it for granted. However, behind this simple act is an infrastructure that has been built over many years and been a cornerstone of Hong Kong's rapid expansion. So let's first understand the structure.

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Four years post-Fukushima, an update from Japan

Four years have passed since the Fukushima Nuclear disaster and the impact is still strongly being felt. Time for an update from Japan on the progress of changes in the Utility industry.

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What you need to know about the announced capped revenue experiment in Shenzhen

In November 2014, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced via a Notice for Transmission and Distribution Rate Reform Pilot in Shenzhen, a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) initiative to induce 'change' in the existing business model.

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Continued boom or bust for Japanese renewables?

When Japan instituted the Renewable Energy Act (REA) in 2012, the stated policy was to encourage the development of renewable energy but to avoid the "boom and bust" cycles seen in other countries. Looking back, there is no question that the government created a booming market; particularly in solar. A reasonable question to ask now is whether we are about to see a bust?

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Fractures in India's fracking debate

As the third largest energy consumer in the world, India continues to face serious energy deficiencies. Energy supply has far from kept pace with our needs and 80% of our hydrocarbon needs are currently met by imports, with no alternative solution in sight.

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The first step to becoming a smart nation: Protect the grid

Singapore is making headway in developing its own smart grid infrastructure. State-owned energy utility Singapore Power (SP) is currently involved in a project to upgrade and renew the country’s ageing grid infrastructure.

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Powering Asia's next 100 million

Over one-fifth of Southeast Asia’s 600 million people do not have access to electricity. This lack of readily-accessible power means basic needs go unfulfilled and long-term quality of life remains low, with business productivity hindered in markets expected to drive the region’s continued economic growth.

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