Articles by
Craig Morris
Renewables International: German baseload power cheaper than French 12 months running
By
Craig Morris
The news is especially important because nuclear power, which provides slightly more than 75% of France's power supply, is often held to be an especially inexpensive source of baseload power. Furthermore, opponents of renewables repeatedly voice their concern about the cost impact of green power scaring away industry. But in fact, industry by and large pays rates on the power exchange, which are determined by the most expensive power generator that needs to be ramped up to meet demand, not by the least expensive source. And over the past year in particular, the tremendous growth of photovoltaics in Germany has offset demand for more expensive peak power, thereby bringing down spot market prices. . .
Renewables International: Why Denmark is so successful with renewables
By
Craig Morris
Proponents of renewables around the world rightly look to Germany to see how things can be done. Germans themselves often look to Denmark. What do the Danes do differently? . .
Renewables International: Austria adopts new feed-in tariffs
By
Craig Morris
The Austrian Economics Ministry has published new feed-in tariffs for 2013 on its website. The Ministry says the changes – both reductions and increases – "support the efficient growth of renewables." . .
Renewables International: German grid reaches record reliability in 2011
By
Craig Morris
Last spring, when the German government resolved to shut down eight of the country's 17 nuclear plants within a week, there was concern about whether the country's grid would remain reliable. Not only did the country avoid a major blackout during the winter, but its availability actually increased over the average going back to 2006, when reporting began. . .
Renewables International: Is Germany Switching to Coal?
By
Craig Morris
No, but you wouldn't know that from the press. Craig Morris explains what really is going on with German's coal plants. . .
Craig Morris: Italy’s New FIT rates
By
Craig Morris
Italy has announced a new policy for solar. The new budget of 700 million euros prefers roof arrays, with ground-mounted systems only eligible for feed-in tariffs if installed on brownfields. . .
Craig Morris: UK Reaches 1,300 MW of Solar PV Since FIT Launch
By
Craig Morris
The drastic cuts in feed-in tariffs for solar power in the UK reduced installations by nearly 60 percent in April, putting the government far behind its target of 22 gigawatts of PV for 2020. . .
Craig Morris: Bundesrat forces review of slashed solar FITs
By
Craig Morris
On Friday, the German chamber of Parliament that represents states' rights overwhelmingly rejected the governing coalition's proposal to drastically change feed-in tariffs for photovoltaics. Now, the policy will be reviewed, though it is unclear what the changes will be. And another decision by the Bundesrat the same day shows how differently Germany ticks. . .
Myths and Facts: The German Switch from Nuclear to Renewables
By
Craig Morris
Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power after Fukushima has been painted by some international observers as “environmental vandalism” and a “panicked overreaction." Critics argue that the shutdown of nuclear power would lead to higher energy costs, rising greenhouse gas emissions and a shortage of power supply. But today, a year after the German government forced the shutdown of eight nuclear reactors, renewable energies provide more than a fifth of electricity demand in Germany and have surpassed production of nuclear power for the first time. . .
Feed-in tariffs for photovoltaics: What Lomborg gets wrong
By
Craig Morris
In an article published at Slate.com, Danish political scientist Bjørn Lomborg chimes in on how Germany is allegedly abandoning solar. He may not describe the situation in Germany well, but his attempt to do so certainly proves that criticism of solar still cannot do without a hefty portion of legerdemain – and a few outright inaccurate statements. . .
