Gazprom Marketing and Trading has taken a major step towards delivering smart metering by acquiring an equity stake in TruRead. The rationale is to raise Gazprom’s presence in the UK gas market and ultimately expand its UK customer portfolio. At a superficial level, this is a win-win situation for its UK customers; however, there are deeper strategic implications if other firms fail to follow. Continue reading “Gazprom Gets Smart” »

Welcome to the Solar Generation! By September this year, Spain will see power coming from the largest rooftop solar power station in the world.
The Guardian reports that it has a capacity of 12 megawatts of power, and is made up of 85,000 lightweight solar panels covering an area of two million square feet.

Continue reading “Here Comes the Sun – Spain Gets World’s Largest Rooftop Power Station” »

The recent hike in oil prices in India has led to a sudden increase in demand for CNG/LPG cars. In order to cater to the growing demand for such cars and also to cash in on this opportunity, vehicle manufacturers in the country have launched CNG/LPG variants of their existing models. However, the lack of support infrastructure such as an inadequate number of filling stations can hamper the growth of these cars in the country.

Continue reading “Surging Oil Prices in India Leads to Increased Demand for Natural Gas Cars” »

Fancy an excuse for a holiday? Well, if so, this is your chance. A recent survey from the UK Post Office Services says motorists will find the cheapest fuel in Spain and Switzerland. Switzerland is the only one out of 12 European destinations where unleaded fuel cost less than £1 a litre, and driving in Spain is the best value for diesel and hire car drivers.

Continue reading “Will Cheap Fuel Force UK Motorists to Head South?” »

Rising prices for fuel are driving up wholesale prices for electricity in the UK. Rather than encouraging competition in electricity supply, the fluctuations in the market are making it increasingly difficult for new players to enter the sector. While companies with upstream assets are able to generate the bulk of their profit there, supply only businesses are finding it more difficult to prosper.

Continue reading “Competition in the UK Energy Market is Hampered by Wholesale Prices” »

The wind energy industry is growing rapidly on the back of technological advancements, political will and government subsidies. Utility companies, independent power providers, institutional investors and oil companies are all seeking to capitalize on lucrative support mechanisms to unlock greater commercial and competitive advantages, meet their renewables targets and boost their green credentials.

Continue reading “Oil Price Rises Increase Attraction of Wind Farms” »

A new report shows that E-health can save each country tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars over the next ten years and energy savings of 25% can be achieved by smart grids. Additionally, patients and older people can be monitored by video nurses, linked to video-based community support networks.

Continue reading “Video Nurses: the Future of Health Industry?” »

Following Croatia’s announcement that it is looking to sell more of its stake in state oil company INA, MOL and OMV have both shown an interest. However, as the companies attempt to try to assert de facto dominance in south-eastern Europe by buying a controlling stake in the Croatian oil major, MOL’s expansion plans may be hampered by OMV’s ongoing efforts to purchase its Hungarian counterpart.

Continue reading “MOL and OMV Continue to Struggle for Regional Dominance as they Compete for Control of Croatia’s INA” »

Surging oil prices have shifted the world’s attention towards biofuel development says a new report.

In a few countries, aggressive promotion of biofuels have begun to pay dividends. Brazil, the world’s leading producer of ethanol, continues to promote expansion of production. By 2012 the government estimates that its total export could reach 12 billion litres a year, including exports to the U.S.

Continue reading “Surging Oil Prices Shift Attention toward Biofuel” »

India is the world’s sixth largest energy consumer, consuming about 3% of the world’s total energy per year.

In the face of growing demand, India’s electricity sector faces problems of capacity, poor reliability, and frequent blackouts. The anticipated electricity shortage is estimated at between 11 and 18%. Currently 79% of electricity comes from fossil fuels, mostly coal.

Continue reading “Despite Growing Demand, Environmental Concern makes Power Sector in India Turn Away from Coal” »