Solar energy
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Eurozone crisis
How Germany hopes to convert the Greeks
11 October 20118Les Echos Paris -
Renewable energy
Desertec to take over from nuclear power
8 June 20112Le Monde Paris -
Environment
Green energy — but not in my back yard!
6 May 20114Il Post Milan -
29 November 2010Il Foglio Milan
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Renewable energies
A new frontier for green power
20 August 20101The New York Times New York -
14 July 20101Frankfurter Rundschau Frankfurt
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Solar energy
Set the electricity grid free
8 April 20102La Vanguardia Barcelona -
Czech Republic
Speculators reach for the sun
18 March 20102Mladá Fronta DNES Prague -
Czech Republic
Putting green Eldorado on ice
17 February 2010PresseuropHospodářské noviny -
Renewable Energies
Technology transfer – now
12 January 20102NRC Handelsblad Rotterdam -
13 October 20091Der Spiegel Hamburg
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Renewable energy
Will Africa's rivers and sun power Europe?
25 August 2009The Independent London -
Petrol
For a few barrels more
23 July 20092Vrij Nederland Amsterdam -
Netherlands
The possibility of a gas-free island
7 July 20092Trouw Amsterdam -
6 July 2009PresseuropDe Standaard
Once the Troika had finished its discussions with the government of Greek PM Georges Papandreou regarding new adjustment measures, the German Economy Minister popped down to Athens to suggest to Greece that it change economic models – to more closely resemble the German one. 
The end of nuclear power in Germany and Switzerland and reduced tolerance for this energy source in many countries in Europe has given a new lease of life to projects based on renewable energy, like the one backed by a German consortium in North Africa. 
Odd as it may seem, the main victims of environmental conservation appeals are not nuclear power plants or incinerators, but the hydroelectric power stations, solar energy installations and wind farms much-loved by the Green and ecologically minded. 
The crisis has put a dent in carbon emissions – and in the foundations of Europe’s planned green economy. By calling subsidies for inefficient technologies into question, that blow might yet be a boon for the renewable energy sector. 
Pioneering Portugal has radically reduced its dependence on fossil fuels. This year nearly half of its electricity will come from renewable sources. 
No-one knows how long it will take before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will be capped. Reason for which we ought to turn to the sun and start an energy revolution, argues German sociologist Ulrich Beck. 
Current power grid management systems make energy self-sufficiency impossible, even in homes that produce solar power, reports La Vanguardia. However the Catalan daily hopes that artificial restrictions imposed on home energy production by large corporations that run power networks will soon be a thing of the past. 
Buoyed by bountiful state subsidies, the Czech solar sector is booming. Investors the world over are rushing in to snatch up this manna, with little thought to the ecological aims, bemoans Mladá Fronta DNES. 
Instead of paying developing countries to combat global warming, it would make more sense to help them to the latest know-how, argue two Dutch researchers. 
Intelligent machines, electric cars, biogas power in the basement: millions of mini-power plants, instead of centralised energy sources, are to lead Germany through the energy revolution. Spiegel-Online heralds the new super-industries and shows that the balance of power between consumers and utilities is shifting. 
Two massive power-generating schemes have been launched in recent weeks. One offers to create the world's largest solar farm, the other to create the biggest hydroelectric dam on the planet. While situated in Africa, they both aim to export electricity to Europe. The Independent weighs up the pros and cons of two ambitious projects, which, according to many critics, smacks of a colonial style power grab. 
Royal Dutch Shell is the world's biggest company, according to Fortune rankings. It's also more ecological, more transparent, and safer, its new directors proclaim. At the end of June, the Dutch weekly Vrij Nederland published a lengthy investigation of the Anglo-Dutch oil giant. A big carbon footprint, oil spills, and serious shadowy areas persist. Excerpts follow. 
On Ameland, off the coast of the Netherlands, a number of the islanders are using an innovative mix of hydrogen and natural gas in their homes. The goal is to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, an initiative that is part of a wider programme to make the community self-sufficient in energy and water by 2020.