Renewables
The importance of trading to smart energy business models
Expertise in energy trading is vital to the success of smart energy business models, which rely on integrating decentralised generation assets with the wholesale energy market. That presents an opportunity for firms with the right skills, argue Jim…
Europe's carbon market begins long road to recovery
A critical July 3 vote in the European Parliament has brought the world's largest carbon market back from the brink of collapse. But participants say structural reform remains necessary to secure its future – and this is a long way off. Mark Nicholls…
Turning points: Torsten Amelung, Statkraft
As the proportion of power generated from renewables goes up, the business model of traditional utilities is increasingly under threat, says Torsten Amelung, Statkraft’s senior vice-president of trading, origination and business development. He speaks to…
Renewables push proves challenging for Germany
An abundance of renewables capacity in Germany has caused extreme price movements, pushing volatility and trading activity increasingly towards short-term markets – forcing physical and financial market players to rethink their approach to electricity…
Renewable PPAs find favour among corporates
A small but growing number of companies are using renewable energy power purchase agreements to lock in cheap forward electricity prices. But it may take some time before going green becomes a sound risk management strategy for all firms, writes…
Q&A: Gary Demasi, director of global infrastructure, Google
As Google seeks to satisfy its enormous power needs from renewable sources, it has been on a shopping spree to buy green energy in the wholesale market. Gary Demasi, who oversees the firm's energy procurement, speaks to Alexander Osipovich about the deals
Lack of critical mass in biomass
Growth in the use of biomass has led clearing houses to list derivatives referencing the organic fuel source, while some experimentation has also taken place within the over-the-counter markets. But these efforts are yet to yield substantial success. Jay…
Is risk modelling keeping up with the energy market?
Lean times in energy and commodity derivatives trading have caused a cutback in the amount of time and resources spent on energy risk modelling – a worrying trend that could leave firms unprepared for future market challenges, argue some experts. Mark…
Cutting edge: Marketing of renewable energy in the German market
Power generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar has considerable influence on power markets in Western Europe. Björn Naundorf and Peter Stagge present a study in which they investigate the impact of renewable generation on intraday…
Some clarity on UK’s EMR but questions remain
UK energy companies have received clarity on some sections of the government's Electricity Market Reform but questions remain for other areas.
Lynda Clemmons joins NRG Energy
Lynda Clemmons, a pioneer in the field of weather derivatives and emissions trading, has been hired by NRG Energy to help run its green technology team
Special report: Renewables
This month's special report looks at the future for global renewables markets with a focus on the derivatives markets in European biodiesel and US ethanol and a look at funding challenges for US wind and solar projects.
Can innovative funding rescue US renewables?
US renewable energy developers are struggling to raise funding as government incentives expire and bank lending dries up. Could financial innovation provide the answer? Alexander Osipovich investigates
US biofuels: beyond ethanol
Growth in the US ethanol market is slowing as the government rethinks its support for the industry. What does that mean for biofuels traders and could ethanol’s pain be biodiesel’s gain? Alexander Osipovich reports
European biodiesel: a market on hold?
The European biodiesel market is currently dealing with a combination of falling prices, market supply shifts and regulatory uncertainty. Jay Maroo talks to market experts about their outlook for this challenging marketplace. Jay Maroo reports
Nordic power outlook
While it has traditionally been a large, stable and liquid power market, the Nordic region has begun initiating change as it prepares for a future with less trading activity from financial players, growing volatility due to renewables and increased…
Deal of the Year: Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The winner of this year’s Deal of the Year award is Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) for its lead role on Project Amp, the largest distributed solar transaction in history
Weather House of the Year: RenRe Energy Advisors Ltd
RenRe Energy Advisors Ltd (Real) has won the Weather House of the Year award for the third year running after a successful 2011 in which it executed transactions on five continents, completed its first wind resource hedge for a major UK utility, and…
German power market outlook
This month marks the one-year anniversary of Germany announcing its intention to abandon nuclear power. Since then a number of fundamental shifts have occurred in the German power market, which are expected to impact prices during the year. Jay Maroo…
Renewable energy projects seek investment alternatives
Investment in renewable energy needs to double if EU targets are to be met. With governments and investment banks reining in lending, the market is looking at alternative sources to plug the gaps. Gillian Carr investigates this and the implications of…
Energy Risk Deals of the Year 2012: Carlyle's Plainfield funding
The Carlyle Group rescue Plainfield renewable energy plant with $125m senior debt funding
Doubts raised over US Department of Energy CRO proposal
An independent consultant hired by the White House to assess the US Department of Energy’s loan programmes in the wake of the Solyndra bankruptcy has advised the agency to hire a corporate-style chief risk officer and beef up its risk-management…
Off-take deal targets West coast REC demand
Long-term REC off-take deal hedges West coast renewable energy compliance needs out to 2030; RECs demand expected to increase