Commodities
Next generation solar power could replace fossil fuels says WRI
Concentrating solar thermal (CST) power has the potential to provide power on the margin of the demand curve, as well as replacing coal at the core of the power mix in the US, according to a report by the World Resources Institute (WRI.)
Point Carbon launches US power trading product
Point Carbon, an energy and environmental market analyst, has launched its first power trading analytics tool for the North American market.
Saxo Bank lowers barriers for entry with launch of commodity CFDs
Copenhagen-based investment bank Saxo Bank has launched its first contracts for difference (CFDs) for investors in commodities, which the bank says will lower barriers to trading energy, metals, soft commodities and grains.
Shell reorganises business structure
Royal Dutch Shell has announced a series of changes to its organisational structure including the merging of its upstream businesses and the launch of a new projects and technology business.
Shale gas production could reduce Europe's dependence on Russia
Rising shale gas production in the US and Canada as well as potential natural gas supplies from Iraq could reduce European energy dependence on Russia, according to a new study released today by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Goldman's commodity record
Record results for first-quarter 2009 commodity trading driven by competitive dynamics, wider margins and liquid transactions
Is the UK facing a gas storage crisis?
Low storage levels and growing import dependency provoke concern, but some commentators believe the market will sort out any future supply problems, as Rachel Morison reports
Japanese brokers face testing times
Plummeting volumes in Japan's commodity futures markets have forced many Japanese commodity brokerages out of business. Katie Holliday reports
Squeezing more out of P&L explain
Commodity traders are increasingly aware of the need to squeeze greater profits from existing business activities. One oft overlooked tool for doing this is the P&L 'explain', write Akhil Sehgal and Anup Singh
China at forefront of clean coal technology
China is leading the way in developing new cleaner coal technologies according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which says that advanced technologies with higher efficiency levels and the potential to reduce CO2 emissions are already widely used…
Aluminium canned
Aluminium prices hit a seven-year low in March. Is there any bullish news for the market? Roderick Bruce finds out
Phoenix rises into green markets
Interdealer broker expands in to renewables and emissions markets to harness sector growth, and plans to act as a counterparty for RECs
Russian revolution?
The news that TNK-BP will sell oil products on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange could signal a shift by Russia towards market mechanisms, Roderick Bruce reports
Emissions drop shows carbon markets are working, says Point Carbon
A 6% decrease on annual global emissions in 2008 in comparison to 2007 shows that the carbon markets are working, according to Point Carbon analysts.
House unveils draft cap and trade bill
Democrats in the House of Representatives issued draft legislation today proposing an 83% carbon cap by 2050 and a national renewable energy requirement of 25% by 2025.
Phoenix launches platform for renewable credits
Interdealer broker Phoenix Partners has launched an electronic OTC trading platform for renewable energy credits (REC.)
Farming fundamentals
While the ailing global economy is pressuring industrial commodity prices, the agricultural grains markets have some very different fundamental drivers, some of which appear fairly supportive, finds Pauline McCallion
Scotia Capital acquires part of UBS Energy
Scotia Capital, a subsidiary of Scotiabank, today announced the acquisition of assets and employees from UBS Energy, a unit of UBS AG.
Uncertain outlook for US public power
Moody's has forecast a stable credit outlook for the US public power electric utility sector in 2009, but says the recession and environmental regulations could present challenges.
US and European firms in bid for LCH
A consortium of major US and European financial institutions is lining up a bid for London-based derivatives clearing house LCH.Clearnet. Deutsche Bank is acting as adviser on the acquisition, as well as being part of the bidding group.
ASX to launch coal and power futures
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is to list thermal coal futures and options on April 21. It will also launch New Zealand electricity futures on 28 April and natural gas futures contracts for the state of Victoria on 5 May.
One stop shop
The world’s biggest commodity exchanges continue to expand the range of products they offer, often into diverse commodity classes. Rachel Morison looks at the benefits and drawbacks for traders as commodity exchanges branch out beyond their traditional…