Contents
CONFERENCE REPORT
Clean Energy Forum 2016: Finding a Balance for Sustainable Development in Russia
Irina Mironova, Alberto Perego
November 10, 2016, saw the annual ENERPO conference at the European University at Saint Petersburg. This year’s conference, the Clean Energy Forum, embraced the topic: “Russian Economy, Energy and Environment: How to Find A Balance for Sustainable Development?”
This report by Irina Mironova and Alberto Perego sums up the happenings of the conference, giving an insight into the Russian renewables sector, both in terms of domestic development as well as vis a vis the COP 21 or the Paris Agreement.
Key words: Paris Agreement, Russia, renewables, RES, COP 21
ANALYSIS
Russian Hydrocarbon Development in the Arctic in Spite of Sanctions
Glenda Pavon-Suriel
The development of hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic shelf is a topic of increasing interest. This is in light of the effects of climate change in the region and recent findings of enormous resource potential, which have led to the increasing politicization of hydrocarbon exploitation in the Arctic. Russia, as a worldwide leader in energy production, as well as the largest Arctic state, has a huge stake in exploring and developing Arctic resources. Considering recent Western sanctions against Russia, and the oil and gas industry in the Russian Arctic specifically, this paper examines the question of whether or not the sanctions will prevent Russia from extracting and exporting Arctic hydrocarbons and whether the effect will be long-term. The author argues that despite bad optics now, the sanctions actually will not prevent Russia from developing and exporting hydrocarbons from the Arctic in the long run.
Key words: Arctic, hydrocarbon E&P, investment, sanctions, energy security, Russia’s energy policy
ANALYSIS
Solar Power: CSP and PV Plants Comparison and their Applicability in Tajikistan
Gulnoza Khodizoda
This paper gives an overview of the current potential of solar energy utilization through the use of solar power plants, and the applicability of this to lower-income countries, with a case study on Tajikistan. The author discusses two main types of solar power plants: Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV), and argues that at the current stage, PV plants are more feasible and preferable for Tajikistan. The case of Tajikistan helps to conclude that in lower income countries, PV plants appear to be a more preferred technology to be deployed, but is limited to small-scale PV systems only.
Key words: solar energy, solar power plant, PV, CSP, lower-income countries, Tajikistan, Central Asia
INTERVIEW
UBERization in oil transportation? OSVFinder revolutionizing logistics
Pierre Jouvellier
The transportation sector is an essential part of any supply chain. During their studies, students of energy politics often focus either on upstream or downstream, but omitting the midstream sector is indeed a pity. In this interview with Pierre Jouvellier, ENERPO Graduate (2016), we discuss the new developments in the oil transport sector as well as perspectives on the innovations that can reshape the architecture of the oil business.
The interview was held by Julie Nielen and Irina Mironova.