Energy
Obama awards $3.4bn in smart grid grants
President Barack Obama this week announced the largest single energy grid modernisation investment in US history.
Saudi Aramco switches to Argus Sour Crude Index
Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Saudi Aramco is to use the Argus Sour Crude Index (ASCI) published by Argus Media as the benchmark price for all grades of crude oil sold to US customers from January 2010.
Senate starts deliberations on cap-and-trade bill
Senate committee hearings began yesterday on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, co-authored by senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer.
Carbon market buoyed by legislative outlook
While the value of the global carbon market fell by 21% in the third quarter, a recent report has forecast 107% growth in volume in 2009.
Power project could link US grids
A proposal to link the three US power grids could create the country’s first renewable energy trading hub.
Report notes potential of NGV demand
Natural gas demand could be boosted by two initiatives being debated in Congress that promote natural gas vehicles (NGVs).
Industry experts bearish on IEA oil demand
Industry experts at the annual Oil & Money Conference in London this week challenged International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts for demand growth.
Gazprom Marketing & Trading and ecolutions collaborate on CDM
Gazprom Marketing & Trading (GM&T), a subsidiary of Russian gas company Gazprom, has partnered with renewable energy firm ecolutions to develop emissions-reduction projects in China.
Gazprom and EDF announce transatlantic gas swap
Gazprom Marketing & Trading and EDF Trading have announced details of an agreement to swap natural gas between the US and European markets.
BlueNext launches outright spread contract
BlueNext has introduced an outright spread contract that will allow members to price the difference between spot European emission allowances (EUAs) and certified emission reduction (CER) contracts.
An audience with Bainton Capital
Steve Drummond from Bainton Capital discusses the potential outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Copenhagen in December.
Record high sugar prices hit ethanol market
Ethanol prices in Brazil have recently risen due to a decrease in production. According to experts, record high sugar prices in the region are encouraging mills to refine sugar over ethanol, which is giving a 50% better return.
Nord Pool Spot expands into Estonia
Nordic power exchange, Nord Pool Spot, has announced plans to incorporate Estonia into its pricing area for physical power from April 2010.
India’s energy efficiency scheme won't impact CDM, say experts
India’s plans for a domestic energy efficiency cap-and-trade scheme have raised concerns over how the market for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects will be affected.
RWE acquires Essent
The sale of the largest energy generator in the Netherlands, Essent, to German utility RWE was completed on September 30 in a €7.3 billion deal.
Spectron ventures into LNG
Global brokerage Spectron has added liquefied natural gas (LNG) to its coverage.
Power adaptor
Alpiq Group was created at the beginning of 2009 as a result of the merger of Swiss utilities Atel and EOS. Peter Heydecker, head of trading and services, talks to Rachel Morison about Alpiq’s culture and presence in European power markets
Too much of a good thing
The price of US natural gas has hit record lows, but with storage fit to burst and demand in the doldrums, any hope of a price pick-up may remain a pipe dream for now, writes Pauline McCallion
