News
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China's oceanic administration says it is preparing to sue the local unit of ConocoPhillips for damages to the environment resulting from offshore oil spills that began in June.
Solar-powered boat circumnavigates the globe
The giant PlanetSolar catamaran, Türanor, the world's largest solar-powered boat, is on the last leg of the first ever attempt to circumnavigate the globe simply by harnessing the power of the sun
Environmental tax threatens green energy research in UK
Carbon reduction commitment (CRC) scheme has 'perverse effect' of threatening zero-carbon energy research
Underwater Kites: Wave energy prototype secures funding from Carbon Trust
British Gas maps UK customer's domestic energy use
British Gas have provided a map of their domestic energy customers. The figures show not only the number of customers per region, but also the amount of energy used in each region.
UK government unveils plans to slash solar feed-in tariffs
The government has unveiled plans to slash by almost 75% financial incentives for larger solar power schemes on the grounds the feed-in tariff (Fit) was in danger of being hijacked by City speculators.
EU Plans To Cut Emissions By 80 Percent by 2050
The European Union needs to double its efforts to boost energy efficiency in order to cut greenhouse gases, partly by producing better household appliances, renovating public buildings and private homes, and driving improved cars, the EU executive said in a plan adopted Tuesday.
Future Skills Report
The Energy Institute has produced its annual Skills suplement.
BIS/DECC Consultation: Meeting the Low Carbon Skills Challenge
The Energy Institute recently responded to the governments ‘Low Carbon Skills’ consultation at a meeting chaired by Phil Willis, the former Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills.
The key recommendations were that
- The sustainable development principles should be embedded in all areas of the public and private sectors
- Drastic changes are needed in the delivery of workforce training. New qualifications and skills sets must be developed with sustainable development principles at their core
- More must be done to build on peoples’ existing skill sets and adapt there applications based on there relevant industry.
Based on the additional research conducted by the EI in association with Deloitte and Norman Broadbent, we recommended the following be taken into consideration by the industry and academia.
The industry in general needs to
- Raise the profile of the energy industry as one of the most exciting to work in to combat skills shortages
- Re-skill and cross-train existing or new staff to combat the decline in STEM skills
- Develop new and potential graduates at an early stage to combat lack of experienced hires for key roles in an expanding industry.
In turn individual energy companies need to
- Treat skills shortages as a strategic boardroom issue that requires long term planning
- Invest in in-house training and development programmes to upgrade the skills of the existing and future workforce
- Engage with universities to offer technical support, student placements and allow recruits to return to university to promote the industry to future graduates.
For their part, academia should
- Engage closely with industry to develop and deliver qualifications that meet business needs.
- Liaise with professional membership bodies to provide students with a head start towards professional recognition.
For their part, academia should
- Engage closely with industry to develop and deliver qualifications that meet business needs.
- Liaise with professional membership bodies to provide students with a head start towards professional recognition.
Please click on the link below to view the full report
Australia's Zero Carbon Energy plan to create 125,000 jobs
Innovative zero carbon home design
The Heliotrope, designed by architect Ralph Disch could generate 5 times more energy than it consumes.
NASA Green Aviation competition
NASA invites students to propose ideas and designs for future aircraft that use less fuel, produce less harmful emissions, and make less noise
Feed in tarrifs make solar farms profitable
Yale Environment blog
The Energy Bulletin
News and developments in the US energy markets
New Energy Focus
Essential news and information about renewable energy and low carbon developments in the UK.
UPI Energy news
Up to date news on the energy industry
How the Energy Industry Works - an insiders guide
Covering oil, gas, power, coal, nuclear and alternative energy, the guide provides students and new hires at energy companies, who need to get to grips rapidly with a wide range of complex issues, with an invaluable and easily digestible insight into the inner workings of the energy industry. A directory of leading employers provides a selection of the best companies to work for in the sector.
FT Africa Oil and Gas Report
A report detailing the issues in the African energy sector.
Reuters Energy News
All the latest news on the Energy sector from Reuters.
Modern Apprenticeships Recruitment
The upstream oil and gas industry technician scheme is now recruiting for the 2008 intake. The scheme comprises of an 18 month full time placement at college, followed by two years on a worksite placement.
Guardian
Various news stories from the Guardian's energy section.
The Future Leaders Survey 07/08
Forum for the Future and UCAS have reported on their Future Leaders
Survey for 07/08. The survey asked applicants to universities and
colleges in in the UK in 2007:
What they think about the future?
What do they think the world will be like when they are mid-career?
What are the big challenges facing humanity?
In terms of what the world will be like in 2032 here is a sample of some of the responses:
- 89% think oil will be in short supply and very expensive
- 84% believe the effects of human-made climate change will be felt
- 80% feel the frequency of natural disasters will have increased
- 61% think the Amazon rainforest will have almost disappeared
- only 38% believe all countries will have signed up to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
- Who is responsible for creating change most urgently?
- Past and future personal behaviour
- What factors are important when choosing a university or college?
- Deciding who to work for
- What will make our future leaders happy?
