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Incisive commentary from RAP experts
RAP experts keep their finger on the pulse of the energy sector and provide timely analysis of topics impacting stakeholders TODAY.
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From laggard to leader: How the UK can capitalise on the heat pump opportunity
The urgent tone of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s sixth assessment report, published on the ninth of August this year, shows the clear and stark need for immediate and rapid greenhouse gas emission reductions. Globally, across the EU… View Summary +
The Unsung Hero of the Climate Fight: Energy Efficiency
It’s official: There is absolutely no time to waste, and our mission is clear. Whether or not you were surprised by the key findings from the recently released Working Group 1 contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of… View Summary +
Lapping the Field: A Model Approach to Managing EV Adoption in Connecticut
Sales growth of plug-in vehicles well outpaced the auto industry as a whole over the first half of 2021 — just another piece of evidence that utilities and regulators must move quickly and thoughtfully to meet the fast-increasing demand… View Summary +
In a Quickly Changing World, Gas Utilities and Regulators Need a Plan
America’s favorite fictional salesman of propane and propane accessories, Hank Hill, may have said it best: “When you plan ahead, then when things happen, you’re prepared.” Changes in the energy sector have big ramifications for the way utilities… View Summary +
Electrification: Using more to emit less
Estimating the emissions savings associated with electrification is complex. A number of analysts have made admirable attempts to appraise emissions savings resulting from a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) from internal combustion engine vehicles or to electric heat pumps from… View Summary +
Unwinding Finance for Coal Power in China: The Role of Power Sector Reform
Building on its commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060, China’s government recently pledged to “strictly control” coal power capacity over the next five years, before beginning to phase it out in subsequent… View Summary +
“十四五”规划：西北地区电力行业转型下一步怎么走？
在国际能源转型的大浪潮下，制定中国电力行业低碳发展路线的工作也在逐步深入。习近平总书记在2020年底气候雄心峰会上宣布，到2030年，中国单位国内生产总值二氧化碳排放将比2005年下降65%以上，非化石能源占一次能源消费比重将达到25%左右，风电、太阳能发电总装机容量将达到12亿千瓦以上。这已成为中国落实碳达峰的中期目标，然而，未来要实现碳中和，建立以非化石能源为主体、安全高效的电力系统仍然充满了挑战。 2021年3月两会审议通过的“十四五”规划和2035年远景目标纲要，设定了包括单位GDP能源消耗、二氧化碳强度和空气质量在内的“十四五”能源和环境约束性指标，但并未提出具体煤电退出的要求。与之前“十三五”规划相比，新的规划纲要在实现低碳转型和完善系统的能源安全方面进行了部署，这主要体现在：… View Summary +
How the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive risks destroying Europe’s forests
In meeting their 2020 renewable energy targets, EU Member States have overseen large increases in renewable power. But this has been accompanied by a less welcome development: a near doubling in the amount of energy derived from solid biomass, which… View Summary +
Reliability is a challenge but the opportunities are endless
Distribution companies (discoms) are under increased pressure to begin maintaining an uninterrupted supply of electricity. In her recent annual budget speech, India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman noted that the discoms’ “monopoly behaviour” is a deterrent to the country’s economic growth. View Summary +
Fit and fair: The case for a European fund for targeted renovation
This week European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans revealed that any extension of carbon pricing to heating and transport would be accompanied by a “climate action social fund.” He states the purpose of this fund is… View Summary +
