GLG News by Council Members Knowledgeable about Solar Power in Europe

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

Social Behavior and Public Policy for Climate Change Mitigation

January 3, 2011

Prices are not sufficient to elicit the necessary investment and behavioral responses required for the transition to a low-carbon society because there exist: Financial and “hidden” costs; multiple objectives, conflicting signals, or information and other market failures; and behavioral and motivational factors. As a consequence, standards and regulations must complement market mechanisms; information policies are required; and public financing for investment is needed.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

Market Based Policy for Climate Change Mitigation

January 3, 2011

The fundamental changes required in the energy sector for the transition to a low-carbon economy cannot be implemented if public policy does not create the proper incentives for this transition. And for public policy to be efficient it must be based on market based instruments, chiefly environmental taxes and tradable emission permits. Besides efficient, these instruments are very effective, and provide the greatest incentives for R&D.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for Climate Change Mitigation

November 11, 2010

CCS could reconcile the continued use of fossil fuels over the medium to long term with the need for deep cuts in CO2 emissions. A demonstration program of commercial scale CCS projects would allow to prove the various CCS technologies at large scale, to identify risks and to achieve public and industry confidence in CCS. Regulatory issues, particularly around storage liability and the legality of storage will need to be resolved, and funding found to support the demonstration project phase.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The Role of Renewable Energies for Climate Change Mitigation

November 11, 2010

Renewable energy sources will be a necessary element of any future sustainable energy system. Not only do they provide a valuable alternative to fossil fuels, they are also much more climate friendly. In economic terms, the development of this sector does present many future benefits, but in order for these to flourish it will be necessary to put a price on the negative externalities of other energy sources, which should facilitate the required investments in R&D.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The Role of Energy Efficiency for Climate Change Mitigation

November 11, 2010

Energy efficiency is not only a requirement for climate change mitigation policies, but for overall economic efficiency. In many occasions, improving energy efficiency is a win-win option that may help to simultaneously reduce green-house gas emissions and input costs in many economic processes. In terms of business development, providing energy efficiency services through energy service companies (ESCOs) is a very lucrative business opportunity.

Dirk MorbitzerManaging DirectorRenewable Analytics, LLC

Mitsubishi in line with new trend of buying sales pipeline

March 10, 2009

Analysis of:Mitsubishi takes stake in Acciona solar firm | www.reuters.com

The acquisition of parts of Acciona is in line with the action other companies are undertaking to secure their sales pipelines. 

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The purchase of Union Fenosa by Gas Natural is going to be slightly delayed

February 4, 2009

Analysis of:Retraso para Gas en la CNC | www.enervia.com

1) Nothing seems likely to avoid that the CNC finally approves the purchase of Unión Fenosa by Gas Natural. What remains to know is how deep the CNC is going to get into mandating Gas Natural to make disinvestments, but we shouldn’t expect that the CNC requires large ones. The CNC cannot hurt the building of a stronger Spanish energy company, especially strong in the gas market. 2) ACS is going to have to wait a little bit more to get the money that it needs to fight for the control of Iberdrola… an interesting battle to come with an unpredictable outcome.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

More news on the Spanish Photo Voltaic (PV) solar market

February 4, 2009

Analysis of:Incredible growth in Spanish solar energy market spells good and bad news for PV industry | www.solarplaza.com

1) Again, it’s clear that the new feed-in tariff still makes investing in PV solar in Spain a profitable business. 2) The sector is going to be paralyzed a little bit longer, until promoters know that their facilities have been approved.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The strength of the wind: Bad news for power blackouts, but good news for Red Electrica Espanola - REE (and wind power generators)

February 3, 2009

Analysis of:Red contra el viento | www.enervia.com

1) The need for a thicker power grid that keeps us safe from power blackouts is obvious in many countries, including Spain. REE’s investment plans of thickening the grid in Spain, and interconnecting France and Spain through other points, should be completed as projected before the current financial crisis. 2) Social rejection to the construction of new power lines from some people (die-hard ecologists and others) is against sustainable development. 3) The growth of renewable energy production is also good news for REE’s investment plans, since it requires that those plans are completed as projected.

Miguel BunuelLecturerStanford University - CC

The cooling of the Spanish PV solar market will lead to sustainable growth of the PV industry

February 3, 2009

Analysis of:Incredible growth in Spanish solar energy market spells good and bad news for PV industry | www.solarplaza.com

1) The reduction in the feed-in tariff still makes investing in PV solar in Spain a profitable business; the demand for new facilities is much higher than the new allowed quotas. 2) Previous growth in the Spanish PV industry was unsustainable. It's good news that the market is cooled down to a sustainable path. 3) The new regulation will foster cost-reducing R+D, and we’ll get faster to the point where government support is no longer needed.

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