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Designing schools for academic excellence and student wellbeing
Chapman Taylor has designed schools, college buildings and other educational institutions in many countries across the world, including several in Asia by our Bangkok studio. Their work has included new state-of-the-art school and university buildings and the refurbishment of specific components (such as canteens, libraries, sports facilities, common areas and classrooms). In this Insight paper, Bangkok studio Associate Director Davide de Visdomini and Senior Architect Thanawat Srimuang discuss the key elements to be borne in mind when designing for the Education sector, including the central importance of student wellbeing, using the studio’s recent design for Chengdong Elementary School in Wuxi, China, to illustrate the key principles.
Designing for context
Currently at Design Development stage, our Chengdong Elementary School project is being designed as a non-profit school on a 5.45-hectare site located in the heart of Wuxi’s Economic Development Zone. Our design for the school puts nature at the heart of the new development, blending the architecture with the natural surroundings to encourage a sense of calm and comfort and aiding the children’s performance.
The 61,000m2 GBA scheme includes teaching buildings, a gym, multifunctional buildings, administrative buildings, lecture halls, canteens, sports venues, a common area, a playground, a library, indoor green seating, an interactive space, outdoor learning areas and related support facilities. The complex is designed to hold about 150 faculty members and up to 60 classes.
The client wanted a striking and contemporary architectural design which would showcase the local area and its culture, so we researched Wuxi’s history, culture, climate and geography to see what elements would be appropriate to incorporate within our concept. Environmental sustainability was also a key component of the brief.
Having settled on a concept inspired by the area’s nature and greenery, we created a design which combines this with elements inspired by the nearby Wuxi Old Town and its urban fabric, placing the school at the interface between the city and nature. We wanted to instil the feeling of a traditional Chinese village, so we created a courtyard-style scheme to provide places in which pupils, parents, teachers and visitors can interact, inspired by the role of traditional town squares.
The architectural design language draws inspiration from local focal points, such as the Huishan clay figurines, the vibrant foliage of the trees, the Scholar’s Rock formation and the dynamic surface movement of Lake Taihu.
We designed the space efficiently, with multiple layers, to allow for the necessary density of functions within the buildings but without sacrificing our aim of maximising greenery within the school. The interior and exterior spaces blend seamlessly to allow flexibility for teachers and pupils, allowing lessons and activities to happen indoors or outdoors, or within the transition spaces, as preferred.
Biophilic design and pupil wellbeing
A main focus of the design concept was to bring nature into the school – not just into the complex, but into the buildings themselves. The biophilic elements include a stepped green landscape, a timber louvre for the façade, timber-framed doors and windows, a covered walkway with curved edges, a semi-underground green area, an internal pocket garden and a green roof. The design uses curved edges, natural materials and natural light throughout the buildings, particularly the atrium area and classrooms, helping to create a feeling of calm and a comfortable environment.
The extensive use of greenery reflects our Responsible Design agenda, helping to improve energy efficiency through its naturally insulating and cooling properties as well as being a conscious effort on our part to encourage physical and mental wellbeing among pupils (and teachers). We worked with the landscape designers to choose appropriate plants for inside the school, including plants which thrive in lower light, as well as for the various exterior areas.
There is strong evidence that feeling connected with, or a part of, nature can help reduce stress and aid relaxation, creativity and concentration, leading to better outcomes, both personally and academically.
Our colleagues at Chapman Taylor’s Shanghai studio produced a very helpful sunlight analysis for the classroom spaces, which allowed us to create a natural light strategy which would benefit the pupils further, in terms of wellbeing. We created a courtyard atrium within the school which allows natural light to flood into the central space, working in conjunction with our façade design to ensure that the classrooms also receive lots of daylight. The classrooms had to be separated to allow for the optimal orientations to receive good natural light and to provide great views.
The use of biophilic design elements such as greenery, natural materials, a well-considered colour palette, natural light and natural ventilation, play a crucial role in reinforcing the wellbeing goals at the heart of our concept.
The challenge of a constrained site
The site is quite compact, especially since the client wanted the exterior sporting facilities, such as the football pitch and athletics track, to be full-size, taking up much of the available area. At the same time, we wanted to protect the village feel of the concept.
We therefore placed the gymnasium, canteen and library within the same building to free up more space elsewhere to ensure that the delineation between public and private areas is clear and does not compromise pupil security. We also used the roof space as additional playground space.
Our design optimised functionality and circulation while ensuring that the school has the state-of-the-art facilities it requires, all while delivering a sense of being part of a low-density village enveloped by the natural world.
Technological flexibility and digital learning capability
As pupils (and teachers) increasingly rely on digital technology for learning (and teaching), providing the very best digital learning capability is a core requirement when designing and fitting out a new school, as is building in technological flexibility to allow easy adaptation to new technologies and techniques.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how useful digital connectivity, and digital literacy, can be. Schools, like businesses and other institutions, should be capable of acting as digital hubs, with the resources and resilience to withstand unforeseen events such as the recent lockdowns, or even just to keep in contact with pupils who have to be away from the school for some reason (illness, for example), as well as facilitating regular homework and revision.
This will mean ensuring that the pupils are taught the latest software and that the school can ensure that all its pupils are digitally capable. The role of the designer in this is to provide future-proofed spaces which can be adapted to new circumstances and new technologies, cheaply and easily.
In terms of day-to-day learning, we have designed a range of spaces with different natures/purposes, each with their own technological character. For example, the school includes an open, multifunctional space for collective digital learning, as well as smaller, quieter spaces for concentration, small groups or one-on-one mentoring. These spaces can be easily rearranged or re-equipped, as required, when technologies, pupil numbers or the demands of the curriculum change.
Collaborative design
We have worked collaboratively with our colleagues in Chapman Taylor’s Shanghai studio from the very beginning of this project, as the school is in China. They have provided us with excellent support in relation to client liaison, navigating the regulatory and planning system, working with the local design institute on the schematic design and providing site information, usually via WeChat (the Chinese social and business networking platform).
One of the great benefits of being part of Chapman Taylor’s international network is that we can draw upon the expertise and resources of our colleagues across the world, allowing us to work on interesting projects such as this in other countries.
The process of designing remotely, in the context of the pandemic, is not without its challenges, but the strong collaborative ethos within the Chapman Taylor family makes finding solutions much easier and makes the programme more efficient. That was certainly the case here, with a clear and neatly dovetailing division of roles between the Shanghai team and ours in Bangkok, allowing us to concentrate on producing the best possible design.
Renovating for wellbeing
Separately from our work at Chengdong Elementary school, we recently also created a concept design for a well-known international school here in Thailand. This design concept for the school’s renovation focuses on two key elements of the pupil experience – an interactive park and the primary canteen.
The interactive park creates a green walkway between the entrance to the school’s sports complex and the main route to the outdoor classrooms. The beautifully landscaped spaces host calming water features, a multi-purpose amphitheatre and outdoor stage, outdoor seating, playgrounds and a skateboard park. The space will have the capability to host outdoor learning all-year round, with the open-air nature of the learning space, shaded by canopies, meaning that the need for air conditioning is removed due to the natural ventilation. This, in turn aids energy efficiency as well as aiding wellbeing through the direct contact with nature.
Accessibility is improved and traffic circulation is streamlined, with a new drop-off area installed. The electrical and lighting systems and the drainage are upgraded while amenities such as the existing shop/café and toilets are rearranged, with the green roof forming part of the park.
The design of the two-floor canteen aims to create a flexible and wellbeing-friendly environment in which pupils, teachers and other staff can feel relaxed, using extensive greenery, bright colours, natural materials and abundant natural light and ventilation.
The layout is optimised for efficient circulation and functionality, with bespoke furniture to better suit the comfort and posture of the students. The canteen’s façade is also transformed, with the colours, forms and materiality of the elegant shading reflecting the school’s badge and identity while helping to reinforce the sense of relaxation within.
The overall aim is to improve physical and mental health and to provide an environment which better fosters creativity, learning and interaction among the pupils of the school.
Student-centred design
As exemplified by the projects mentioned above, the core of any design approach to an educational establishment must be consideration of the needs of the end-user, i.e. the student (and, to a significant extent, the teachers and other staff). We need to put ourselves in their place and imagine what their day-to-day experiences involves and how they can be improved.
This means providing modern, wellbeing-friendly and flexible spaces which allow them to relax, to concentrate, to collaborate and to have fun so that they enjoy being in the spaces we design and get the most out of their time there. Context-inspired design which embraces nature, when possible, has to be the basis of this, so that schools and other educational institutions are not just self-contained boxes divorced from their surroundings and their communities.
Flexibility is also crucial, providing dynamism and adaptability so that the school, the teachers and the pupils can respond effectively and easily to new ideas, new circumstances and explore new ways of learning.
Every student is different; some are more academic, some more artistic, others very collaborative and others still prefer learning by themselves. There is not just one school experience, but many, often quite diverse, even among pupils who sit next to each other in the same class. We need to provide the spaces in which all of these pupils can flourish. Our fundamental principle is to design schools in a way that ensures nobody is left behind. | https://www.chapmantaylor.com/insights/designing-schools-for-academic-excellence-and-student-wellbeing |
What is Digital Accessibility?
In this article, you'll learn about digital accessibility and why it is important to incorporate aspects of digital accessibility into websites.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility refers to designing devices, products, and environments such that individuals with disabilities or sensory impairments can successfully use the device or product.
In 1990, the United States Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly referred to as the ADA. The ADA mandates that public and private spaces be made accessible to individuals with disabilities that include (but are not limited to):
- Sensory impairments
- Cognitive impairments
- Physical limitations
For example, the ADA requires on-ramps as an alternative way of accessing a staircase for individuals who may use a wheelchair. Another example is that stop lights use hues of green, yellow, or red that are readily discernable to individuals with visual impairments (like colorblindness).
Although the ADA has forced public and private spaces to incorporate accessibility best practices, one frontier that has been mostly untouched has been digital accessibility, or, accessibility in digital media, like websites and mobile apps. In this article, we’ll explore digital accessibility and why it is essential on the Internet.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Although the concept of digital accessibility refers specifically to digital media, it’s not much different from the general idea of accessibility.
The requirements for accessibility in digital media are, of course, very different, however.
Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- Screen readers that parse a website for a user with visual impairments
- Videos on websites are closed-captioned for individuals with hearing impairments
- Images include “alt text” for individuals with visual impairments
- Websites must be navigable by keyboard for users who may not be able to operate a mouse (i.e., navigating using the “Tab” on a keyboard)
The examples above demonstrate only a subset of how websites or mobile apps incorporate digital accessibility. For the full list of digital accessibility guidelines, there is a global standard known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG). Per WCAG’s abstract, WCAG “covers a wide range of recommendations for making Web content more accessible.”
To learn more, visit WCAG at the following link:
Why is Digital Accessibility Important?
Evolving Technology
The ADA was passed during a time where the Internet was still growing and evolving (1990). Since that time, the popularity of the Internet (and general accessibility to it) has exploded. As new technologies are invented, the methods they use to incorporate elements of accessibility will have to be revisited, perhaps even by challenging the current ADA.
Legal Ramifications
The Internet’s explosion in popularity has emphasized the accessibility of websites and other digital media. As such, it also has pushed the ADA to new limits. Should the statutes in the ADA cover digital media as well? The U.S. Department of Justice certainly thinks so:
“[T]he Department has long considered websites to be covered by Title III despite the fact that there are no specific technical requirements for websites currently in the regulation or ADA Standards”.
In the past, accessibility lawsuits focused on lack of on-ramps, lack of braille in signs, and the like. Today, accessibility lawsuits also focus on the lack of accessibility in digital media, which emphasizes the user demand behind incorporating accessibility best practices.
Capturing Total Markets
Upwards of 80% of the United States population shops online, which, naturally, was unheard of before the widespread popularity of the Internet.
For individuals with physical impairments, what might’ve been an inconvenient shopping experience in the past may now be much more convenient online. For individuals with visual or auditory impairments, however, an online shopping experience can be inconvenient if there is a lack of digital accessibility. This lack of accessibility can prevent them from shopping online. For business owners, this also represents a failure to capture the total market, demonstrating how digital accessibility, overall, is best for business.
New Jobs
The recognition that accessible web design is good for business is also reflected in the job market. Simply searching “web accessibility” on job search websites like LinkedIn or Indeed demonstrates the immense amount of of job postings for developers, designers, and UI designers related to web accessibility.
Universal Design Benefits All
Earlier, you read about one example that showcases an ADA mandate: on-ramps should accompany staircases to accommodate individuals with physical impairments. The reality is that this mandate doesn’t just benefit those with physical impairments; it also benefits individuals with baby strollers, bicycles, and more.
The same is true for digital accessibility. For example, having
alt tags that explain the content of images are useful to all users whenever images don’t load due to connectivity problems. Writing more semantic HTML tags and image captions also can improve your website’s standing in search engines, as they provide the search engine more information about the content that your site delivers. In short, incorporating accessibility (digital or otherwise) contributes to a universal design that ultimately benefits all, which can improve the user experience for everyone.
Conclusion
The general concept of accessibility, which previously applied mostly to physical, public and private spaces, now applies to the digital world, thanks to the widespread popularity of a new technology: the Internet.
New technologies, litigation, business strategies, and more continue to push the definition of accessibility. Today, this definition has expanded to included digital media, like websites and mobile apps. The Internet continues to provide digital solutions to a wider audience, making it imperative for web developers to incorporate elements of digital accessibility.
Ready to Learn More?Find the course that's right for you! Explore our catalog or get a recommendation. | https://external-production.codecademy.com/articles/what-is-digital-accessibility |
The concept implies the creation of environments, products and services available and usable by the largest possible number of people, of all ages, sizes and with different abilities, given them equal opportunity to participate in society, thus the physical environment can directly prevent people from participating in desired activities on equal terms with the majority.
- Citations per year?
- Inclusive Design | Designing and Developing Accessible Environments | Taylor & Francis Group?
- Collective Electrodynamics: Quantum Foundations of Electromagnetism.
- Strange Phenomena in Convex and Discrete Geometry.
- What is inclusive design?.
- Engineering Mathematics Pocket Book, Fourth Edition.
In Portugal, more than 1 million of persons have some type of inability. The idea is to demonstrate how the design practices can adopt a routine inclusive approach, if those principles should be considered right from the very beginning. Everyone involved in the current process at FA hope that this postural changing may contribute for a better knowledge and application of the rule and standards in what concerns accessibilities and Inclusive Design, when developing a Design Project, in a way to integrate a greater number of persons. We should be able to make our choices about spaces, environment, objects and information design, and also its politics, not only to reduce the barriers, but also to incorporate all in a sustainable approach, with social responsibility and respect for the human rights.
Accessibility is a goal
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Skip to main content. Advertisement Hide. I think they interrelate, and each has an important meaning of its own.
The goal of everyone I know in the accessibility community is to make things better for as large an audience as possible. Accepting that designing for people is an iterative process that requires accepting new information about what they want, and adapting our products accordingly, is the proper mindset for improving accessibility over the lifespan of a product.
The thing I was tasked with improving in my new role was not so much the outcome, as much as changing how we do the work that leads to improving those outcomes across the board. This is a need that calls for an action. Like accessibility, the word design is a noun.
The Same, But Different: Breaking Down Accessibility, Universality, and Inclusion in Design
But unlike accessibility, design is also a verb. Design is the act of creation that leads to the products and services we use everyday. So when we talk about the work that goes into that creation, we should be talking in terms of design. The next challenge is to put our finger on a term for designing with disability in mind. In my experience, though, concepts of inclusion and universality tend to lead people to think about the needs of people with disabilities, and sometimes beyond more on that later.
People who have worked in architecture or interior design know that universal design has existed since , when a North Carolina State professor named Ronald Mace coined the term.
Mace, an architect, produced a fairly large body of academic work on designing spaces for the diverse physical and cognitive capacities of human beings. The book I co-wrote, mentioned earlier, drew on a connection between designing in the built environment and in a relatively new and fluid space we were creating online.
Whose responsibility is inclusive design? | Design Council
Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Unlike universal design, there are not yet generally agreed-upon definitions for inclusive design, or the practices it encompasses.
Ebook Inclusive Design. Bookshelf Inclusive Design. Description Additional information The reality of the built environment for disabled people is one of social, physical and attitudinal barriers which prevent their ease of mobility, movement and access. Rental Time perpetual. Read more. | https://quebetano.ml/inclusive-design-designing-and-developing-accessible-environments.php |
1. Calculate the x-intercepts by making f(x) = 0 and solving the equation.
2.The area is equal to the definite integral of the function whose integration limits are the x-intercepts.
1.Calculate the area of the site bounded by the curve y = 9 − x² and the x-axis.
First, find the x-intercepts to the curve and determine the limits of integration.
Since the parabola is symmetrical about the y-axis, the area is twice the area between x = 0 and x = 3.
2.Determine the area of the region enclosed by the function xy = 36, the lines x = 6 and x = 12 and the x-axis.
3.Calculate the area of the triangle that is formed by joining the points A(3, 0), B(6, 3) and C(8, 0).
1. Calculate the area of the site bounded by the curve y = x² − 4x and x-axis.
2. Find the area bounded by the curve y = cos x and the x-axis between π/2 and 3π/2.
1. Calculate the x-intercepts by making f(x) = 0 and solve the equation.
2.Order the roots from smallest to largest, which are the limits of integration.
3.The area is equal to the sum of the definite integral in the absolute value of each interval.
1.Find the area bounded by the lines , x = 0, x = 4 and x-axis.
2.Calculate the area of the plane region bounded by the circle x² + y² = 9.
The area of the circle is four times the area enclosed by the first quadrant and the coordinate axes.
Find the new limits of integration. | https://www.vitutor.com/calculus/integral/area_function.html |
NS’s Jamie Helmer Receives 2022 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence AwardWritten by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced on July 27 that it has named Norfolk Southern (NS) Director of Fuel Efficiency Jamie Helmer as recipient of the 2022 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award.
The annual award, which is named in honor of the late Rhode Island senator, a strong advocate for environmental causes and the eco-friendly benefits of rail transportation, recognizes a railroad employee who has “demonstrated the highest level of environmental stewardship in the previous year,” AAR says.
“Railroaders have always been the power that fuels our industry, and today we honor those pushing us toward an even more sustainable future,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “Our 2022 honoree, Jamie Helmer, has been a driving force behind NS’s innovative, top-to-bottom approach to reducing its footprint in the near-term and laying the groundwork for even greater advancements into the future. Congratulations to Jamie and all this year’s nominees whose passion and work is advancing environmental responsibility across the industry.”
According to NS, Helmer is “integral in driving key improvements in fuel sourcing, efficiency and conversions that move the railroad closer to its science-based target of reducing emissions intensity 42% by 2034.” Under her guidance, NS has experienced a 7% improvement in fuel efficiency, saving approximately 47 million gallons of fuel and avoiding more than 470,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the last two years, according to NS.
Part of NS’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint include analyzing different fuel alternatives and low-carbon fuels and the long-term planning of the future locomotive energy source in place of ultra-low sulfur diesel. In May 2022, Helmer and a team from the sourcing, mechanical and fuel planning departments introduced biofuel at a major NS fueling location that, according to the railroad, is anticipated to increase the overall amount of biofuel used in 2022 up to millions of gallons annually.
In addition to Helmer, seven other railroaders were nominated for the 2022 John H. Chafee Award. Below are brief descriptions of the nominees.
Curtis Fernandez, Electrician–Facility Management, CN
Fernandez is currently working with CN’s environmental department to improve the stormwater management system for the facility communications building by incorporating native practices, naturalized sedimentation basins and overall native plantings. Implementing these types of naturalized systems, CN says, will aid not only in improved, reliable stormwater management and control, but also stormwater quality by helping to reduce sediment loading into a nearby trout stream. Fernandez has also worked to improve the quality of lighting at many CN facilities by installing fluorescent T-5 style fixtures. The T-5 fixture high bay lights use less wattage and more lumens than the historical high pressure sodium style lighting.
David Kosla, Senior Manager–Coals and Piers, CSX
While recently reviewing the railroad’s yard air handling systems, Kosla discovered that most of the systems were inefficiently designed and proposed a new system to CSX leaders that was ultimately adopted. A study determined that Kosla’s new systems have increased reliability and performance, reducing energy consumption by 30%, according to CSX. Specifically, the new systems are saving 5,600 megawatt-hour per year, translating in the avoidance of 3,920 tons of CO2 emissions on an annual basis. Kosla has also undertaken numerous projects to enhance waste management processes and mitigate potential spillage at CSX facilities.
Karen Monroy, Coordinator Community Relations & Social Responsibility, Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM)
For the past 13 years, Monroy has led the Patio Limpio (Clean Yard) Program, which “fosters a culture of caring and respect for the environment within and around the 3,300-mile rail network,” according to KCSM. Each month at a different location on the KCSM network, the Social Responsibility team convenes volunteers to spend time picking up trash, debris and recyclable material from the rail yard. The Patio Limpio program, the railroad says, has had great results, allowing the company to keep the railroad tracks, yards and right-of-way (ROW) clean; improve and enhance coexistence of the railway and communities; adopt an environmental culture within the railroad; and enhance fellowship amongst employees.
Grace Olsen, General Director of Locomotive Engineering and Quality, Union Pacific (UP)
Olsen has been “instrumental in identifying and addressing risks associated with locomotive emissions, locomotive idling and remanufacturing of older locomotives,” according to UP. Olsen worked to identify and understand a recurring issue in California around locomotive emissions reporting to regulatory agencies. Olsen and her team dove into the data and to identify and correct mis-codings in the on-board meters to allow for more accurate reporting of locomotive emissions.
Devon Parson, Director of Equipment Engineering, Amtrak
Parson has led numerous technical projects that have improved environmental performance. Parson led Amtrak’s replacement of older locomotives with newer, more environmentally friendly tier-4 compliant diesel locomotives that have a modular design for the inclusion of future propulsion packages. Additionally, Parson conducted technical development efforts for alternative onboard power technologies for road and terminal locomotives, including further development of batteries and fuel cells.
Danny Rodriguez, Shop Superintendent II–Mechanical, BNSF
Rodriguez’s commitment to the environment and sustainability efforts has instilled a “culture of ownership and innovative solutions within his workforce,” BNSF says. His leadership skills have empowered his crews to implement various cost-effective waste minimization programs, such as the recycling of used oil, cardboard, scrap metal and wooden pallets. BNSF initiated a Sustainable Operations pilot test at the Barstow, Calif., facility where Rodriguez works based on Rodriguez’s longstanding environmental stewardship. As the facility lead, Rodriguez and his team have implemented multiple sustainable initiatives, including a closed-loop borate recycling program that reduces waste and encourages reuse; locomotive used oil recovery system so used oil can be sold to a local third-party for fuel use; and material management process to ensure that new materials are approved and used materials are recycled.
Dan Sabatka, Director of Projects and Public Works U.S., Canadian Pacific (CP)
Sabatka’s recent work focuses on reducing CP’s environmental footprint through reevaluating waste management practices associated with large scale yard refurbishment projects. To address these concerns, Sabatka has worked closely with CP’s environmental risk team to implement work practices to identify, segregate and incorporate a variety of materials for reuse on construction projects. Through these actions, truckloads of materials once hauled offsite to landfills are now recycled and reused locally for beneficial project purposes minimizing time, cost and environmental impacts. Sabatka is also helping to lead CP’s efforts to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. Sabatka and his team are piloting a new process in CP’s Bensenville Yard to evaluate new approaches to reduce energy consumption, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for future railyard development. | https://www.railwayage.com/news/nss-jamie-helmer-receives-2022-john-h-chafee-environmental-excellence-award/ |
The Centre for Low Carbon Transport brings together world class researchers from one of Malaysia’s leading Universities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and Imperial as they develop the next generation of low carbon transport technologies.
Imperial excels in the areas of transport and sustainable vehicles, with many skilled researchers based in the Railway and Transport Strategy Centre and Departments within the Faculty of Engineering. The UTM Centre for Low Carbon Transport further exemplifies Imperial’s commitment to addressing current and potential global challenges through research.
“The research undertaken at the new Centre will undoubtedly enhance the repertoire of knowledge and expertise that Imperial can share through consultancy, helping external organisations to develop related technologies or products. Achieving success in the reduction of Carbon emissions from our transport systems has to be a collaborative effort with research creating knowledge to be shared”.
The Centre’s research will focus on a range of areas such as reducing engine size to improve efficiency without sacrificing performance and optimising technologies to improve the range of hybrid and electric vehicles. Additionally, researchers will develop new concepts for energy storage and waste energy recovery technologies to make cars lighter, using less fuel and increasing sustainability.
Cars alone are a major contributor to global warming, responsible for around 12% of total emissions of Carbon Dioxide in the European Union. With attention focussed on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet challenging targets set across Europe and the rest of the world, improving the efficiency of transport systems is a key area in developing low carbon economies.
Please contact us for more information on consultancy and expertise in transport and sustainable vehicles. | https://www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/news-insights-login/95/low-carbon-transport-research-centre-launches-at-imperial.html |
VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ – Ricardo, Inc., the US subsidiary of Ricardo plc, the leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world’s automotive, defense, transport and new energy industries, has been awarded a contract for the development of a new vehicle under the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) program launched by TARDEC, the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan.
The FED program, launched in late 2008, has the overarching goals of improving military vehicle technology, reducing fuel consumption on the battlefield, and reducing the nation’s dependence on oil. Ricardo will apply its expertise in the development and manufacture of special vehicles and advanced automotive technology to create a demonstration vehicle that maximizes fuel economy while maintaining the capability and performance of light tactical wheeled vehicles.
“The FED project leverages Ricardo’s experience and success in supporting the development of a broad range of military vehicles over several years,” said Paul Luskin, Ricardo’s chief program engineer for FED and vehicle engineering manager. “In particular, TARDEC has recognized Ricardo’s role on the Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS), in which we successfully implemented advanced technology into an innovative vehicle architecture.”
The new contract award is for the second phase of the program, focusing on the detailed design of a demonstration vehicle. It builds upon the initial phase in which Ricardo applied its Total Vehicle Fuel Economy (TVFE(TM)) systems engineering expertise to evaluate current and emerging technologies that can improve fuel efficiency over the entire vehicle. TVFE focuses on evaluating all vehicle systems to optimize fuel economy and performance. Ricardo’s TVFE modeling and simulation capabilities were used to predict the performance of thousands of combinations of requirements, technologies and architectures. The effort drew upon the company’s full range of automotive systems expertise including compression-ignition engines, hybrid propulsion, transmission and driveline systems, controls and electronics, thermal management, chassis, suspension and structures. Simulation results and innovative systems engineering methodologies were used to develop vehicle concepts for demonstration. Technologies were selected for both their potential both for immediate implementation into the existing fleets of military vehicles, and for improvement of the next generation of vehicles under development.
The FED program will involve close cooperation between Ricardo and TARDEC, as Luskin explains: “Our objectives include not only training embedded government engineers in order to enhance TARDEC’s vehicle engineering capability, but also educating government staff on the issues relating to fuel economy, including implementation of technology and trade-offs in performance requirements.” The project will ultimately produce a demonstration vehicle for testing at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Commenting on this key contract award, Louis Infante, Ricardo’s Vehicle Product Group Director said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to continue supporting TARDEC in its objective to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleets. The FED project represents an ideal application of Ricardo’s expertise in armored vehicle design and fuel efficiency improvements using our Total Vehicle Fuel Economy processes. We look forward to working with the government in developing a vehicle that will represent a large step forward in reducing life-cycle cost.”
About Ricardo
Ricardo, the Eco-Innovation Technology Company, is a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world’s automotive, military, transport and new energy industries. The company’s skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarized: “Ricardo is Fuel Economy.” Ricardo offers TVFE(TM), its Total Vehicle Fuel Economy engineering service, to transportation manufacturers and related government agencies worldwide to provide objective evaluation of all available technologies to identify the most cost-effective strategies to accomplish fuel economy and CO2 goals.
With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia, Ricardo provides engineering expertise ranging from vehicle systems integration, controls & electronics, hardware and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Ricardo’s customers include the world’s major automakers and suppliers as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial, off-highway and clean energy sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo’s U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Ricardo plc posted sales of $296.6 million in financial year 2009 and is a constituent of the FTSE TechMark 100 index – a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.
Source: Ricardo, Inc.
CONTACT: Jim Cain of The Quell Group, +1-248-649-8900, [email protected], | https://www.dbusiness.com/people/ricardo-to-develop-fuel-efficient-vehicle-for-u-s-army/ |
The EU-funded research project Composite Structural Power Storage for Hybrid Vehicles (STORAGE) was set up to develop new concepts for lightweight energy storage to radically improve the efficiency of hybrid vehicles by using parts of a car’s structure as power sources.
With an award of €3.37 million under the 'Transport' theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the project is focusing on research into materials that simultaneously carry mechanical loads whilst storing electrical energy. These materials are resilient, strong and lightweight, making them well suited to the manufacture of car parts, while at the same time having crossover applications for information and communications technology.
Essentially, the heavier a vehicle is the more energy it requires to move. Consequently, the weight of existing batteries is a factor that reduces the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles. This is the main problem that the STORAGE project seeks to address and, by focusing on innovative composite materials that lower the weight of the vehicles by integrating the energy storage systems into the structure of the vehicle itself, the aim is to improve the efficiency of the hybrid cars and make them a more viable alternative to conventional vehicles.
Materials used in the construction of a vehicle that do not contribute to its load-carrying capacity are structurally parasitic in that they contribute to the power drain on the vehicle. While the standard approach to maximizing the efficiency of hybrid vehicles has been to examine the efficiency of individual subcomponents, this project differs in that it aims to create new materials that simultaneously perform more than one function, thereby offering significant savings in mass and volume, in addition to performance benefits.
The project’s novel concepts include composite structural capacitors and batteries, which reduce the need for traditional batteries, allowing for an associated reduction in the total weight of the vehicle. According to the researchers working on the project, using the composite material to replace the wheel well for the spare wheel alone could reduce a car's overall weight by 15% and significantly improve its driving range. Furthermore, the composite material will be able to store and discharge large amounts of energy, and can simply be recharged by plugging a hybrid car into the driver's home power supply.
One of the priorities of Horizon 2020 will be to promote research leading to the market rollout and consumer uptake of technologies that achieve the twin goals of helping Europe reach its SET-Plan targets, while at the same time ensuring Europe’s place at the cutting edge of innovation. The STORAGE project addresses the ‘competitive industrial processes’ research area identified in the FP7 call for proposals, and involves work on innovative product concepts that will strengthen the competitiveness of European industry in emerging green technologies, while at the same time providing a means to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from surface transport.
The STORAGE consortium, which sees the UK's Imperial College London (ICL) collaborating with teams from Belgium, Germany, Greece and Sweden, will provide innovative products and concepts which will strengthen the competitiveness of European industry. ICL’s Dr Emile Greenhalgh said: “We think the car of the future could be drawing power from its roof, its bonnet or even the door, thanks to our new composite material. Even the Sat Nav could be powered by its own casing.”
The versatility of the polymer composites being examined means they provide an ideal opportunity to develop novel multifunctional materials which can store the electrical energy required to power systems, while simultaneously meeting structural demands. Carbon fibre composites are attractive as they are commonly used as both electrodes and high performance reinforcements. Previous work has demonstrated that these multifunctional materials can be synthesised in a laboratory, and the technology is ready to be taken up by industry.
Initial work for the project focused on two techniques for developing the innovative materials: 'reinforcing and grafting' and 'multifunctional resin'. Cost-benefit analyses helped to identify the most promising constituents, which were then combined into composites. Samples of these innovative materials were then manufactured and tested for their mechanical and electrical performance, with a view to showing that they provide an efficiency improvement of at least 15% compared to conventional materials.
The researchers have identified several novel technologies which improved performance. These include carbon aerogel reinforcement, matrix development based on a mixture of existing epoxy resins and liquid electrolyte, and improved composition of multifunctional resins for super-capacitors. The STORAGE researchers also looked at system issues associated with structural power sources such as power management, packaging and connectivity. Demonstrators using the new composites were built and tested on a small scale.
The STORAGE project has laid the groundwork for revolutionary developments in efficient vehicles for the future. These technologies will help implement more sustainable transport solutions and, by developing revolutionary lightweight energy storage concepts for future vehicles, they will not only make a significant contribution to the meeting of greenhouse gas reduction goals for 2020 and beyond, they will also serve to keep the EU at the cutting edge of high-tech research and development.
For more information: | https://setis.ec.europa.eu/publications/setis-magazine/power-storage/storage-structural-power-storage-hybrid-vehicles |
Description:
The CO-GISTICS project is an innovative action aiming at the use of existing cooperative mobility systems in freight transport by providing the following five services:
- Intelligent truck parking and delivery areas management
- Cargo Transport Optimisation
- CO2 footprint estimation and monitoring
- Priority and Speed advice
- Eco-drive support
The pilots of the project tackle the economic and environmental challenges faced by the freight transport industry, aiming at the improvement of energy efficiency and the reduction of air pollution emissions of freight transport. With its application in 7 of the largest freight hubs in Europe (Frankfurt, Trieste, Vigo, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Arad and Thessaloniki), the CO-GISTICS collaborative services will contribute to the sustainable and efficient operation of the freight vehicles, road networks, ports, airports, railway stations and freight transport in general. The operation of the cooperative services and their related technology systems will continue after the completion of the project, allowing further development of these services by operators in the future. For the pilots, a total of 325 vehicles will be used.
Collaborative CO-GISTICS services will contribute to the reduction of air pollution emissions from freight transport through applications such as the Eco-Drive support service. Through this service drivers will be continuously updated for CO2 emissions, which will be reduced by applying driving support technologies and selection of speed profile for a more environmentally friendly driving style. The CO-GISTICS project will also increase the efficiency of the freight transport sector, by reducing fuel consumption and directly issuing the proof-of-delivery of the goods. Finally, the freight vehicle drivers will benefit using the services, due to the reduction of stress and improvement of their working conditions, by through the provision of information about the status of traffic lights.
Objectives:
CO-GISTICS aims, with the convergence of M2M (and Freight Object to Object) and Cooperative Systems (the connected vehicle) technologies to integrate, and then deploy as cloud-services that support and enhance the logistic process and the effectiveness of the fleet to substantially improve the results of the transportation community, economically as well as in sustainability.
CERTH/HIT role:
Coordinator of the impact assessment tasks in the seven cities.
Contact persons:
Josep Maria Salanova Grau,
+30 2310 498 433
Georgia Ayfadopoulou, | https://www.imet.gr/index.php/en/projects-en-2/indicative-sector-b-projects-en/200-co-gistics-en |
The South Coast and San Joaquin Valley elements of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP) are currently being revised. Additional emission reductions are needed in both areas to meet the existing federal air quality standards by 2010. On October 23, 2003, the Board revised and adopted the 2003 State and Federal Strategy for the California SIP to identify a series of new State commitments to achieve the next increment of progress toward the federal standards. It also describes feasible approaches to reduce emissions from sources under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The commitments have been incorporated into the revised SIPs for the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley, and will be included as needed in SIP revisions for other parts of California expected over the next several years.
The Strategy proposes 19 defined measures that CARB staff would develop, plus the BAR's planned improvements to the Smog Check program and the continuation of DPR's existing SIP commitment to reduce volatile emissions from pesticides. The CARB measures cover on-road vehicles, off-road equipment, marine vessels/ports, fuels and refueling, and consumer products. Lower emission standards for new engines and consumer products are complemented by measures to clean up the existing fleet of mobile sources. Other measures would reduce gasoline vapor emissions from storage tanks, service stations, and fuel tanker trucks. Tighter limits on fuel properties are also proposed. The Strategy also identifies initial concepts on additional long-term approaches to further reduce emissions beyond the benefits of the defined measures.
The Final State and Federal Strategy includes two documents: the August 25, 2003 version of the Proposed Strategy, and Board Resolution 03-22 adopting the Strategy, including changes made at the October 23, 2003 hearing and responses to environmental issues. | https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/2003-state-and-federal-strategy-california-sip |
The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and GE Power have signed two technical agreements to promote scientific research and development (R&D) for the power sector in the Kingdom. The collaborations will identify innovative solutions to develop and install new systems that will boost gas turbine efficiency and productivity. The research will also focus on reducing the amount of ash that results from fuel combustion.
Eng. Khalid Al-Rashed, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Projects, SEC, said, “The first agreement aims to promote research that will help reduce the cost of power generation and power plant maintenance. The second will focus on installing a new system of fuel additives in gas turbines to reduce the water-washing cycle and increase capacity by reducing the amount of ash that results from fuel consumption during the power generation process. The agreements highlight our commitment to leverage advanced technologies to reduce costs and dependence on oil resources, and to meet environmental standards.”
The two agreements are part of SEC’s ongoing collaboration with GE to promote R&D in the power generation sector. It underlines the commitment of both companies to drive a culture of localized innovation and to identify cutting-edge solutions that will help boost the efficiency of the Kingdom’s power infrastructure.
“We have a long-term relationship with SEC, and we are committed to further strengthening it through these technical collaboration agreements,” said Hisham Albahkali, President & CEO, GE Saudi Arabia & Bahrain. “The focus on localized R&D to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the power sector supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”
“The new agreements underline our commitment to co-create localized solutions that will support the Kingdom’s power infrastructure,” added Eissa Aqeeli, President & CEO of GE’s Power Services business in Saudi Arabia. “We are confident the collaborations will lead to innovative solutions that will benefit SEC and the Kingdom – not only through greater optimization in resource use but also by nurturing the skills of Saudi professionals in energy-sector research.”
GE and SEC have long supported the development of Saudi Arabia’s power generation sector by bringing industry-leading innovations to the country. In 2016, GE and SEC inaugurated the Saudi PowerGen Efficiency Center (SPEC) for gas and steam turbines, which is operated by SEC across its power plants. SPEC is part of the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center (GEMTEC) in Dammam, and is led by a joint team of SEC and GE engineers, serving as a real-time monitoring hub that is linked to more than 500 power generation trains in the Kingdom. SEC has also established a Generation & Optimization Center (GOC) equipped with GE’s digital solutions to monitor, analyze and enhance the reliability and efficiency of 16 power plants, which together represent more than 70 percent of SEC’s total power generation.
GE supports the generation of more than half of the Kingdom’s power supply and has over 500 gas turbines installed in the Kingdom. With a presence of over 80 years, three offices and seven facilities, Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest GE workforce in the Middle East with over 2,000 employees driving the Aviation, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Power and Transportation businesses. | https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/news/saudi-electricity-company-and-ge-power-sign-agreements |
A power plant’s heat rate measures the input of heat energy into the plant, relative to the output of electrical energy from that plant.
More specifically, heat rate compares the amount of heat in Btus required to generate 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity. Accordingly, typical units for heat rate are Btu/kWh. Heat rate is also the inverse of plant efficiency. As such, a lower heat rate is better than a higher one.
A power plant’s heat rate depends on its design, its operating conditions, and its level of electric power output. For existing coal-fired power plants, heat rates are typically in the range of 9,000–11,000 Btu/kWh. A plant with the industry average heat rate of 10,300 Btu/kwh will operate with an overall plant efficiency of about 33 percent.
Benefits of Lowering Heat Rate
For a coal-fired plant, fuel is by far the largest expense item, amounting to about 55 to 75 percent of total plant costs. Coal costs $1.50 – 2.00 per million Btu, or about $30 a ton, and a typical coal plant consumes about 6,000 tons per day. The heat content of coal ranges from of 8,000 to 12,000 Btu/lb. Accordingly, reducing a power plant’s heat rate can significantly lower fuel consumption and expense. At a typical 500 megawatt (MW) plant operating at 80 percent capacity factor and firing $2.00/MBtu bituminous coal, a 1-percent heat rate reduction will save about $700,000 in annual fuel costs.
Improvements in heat rate are also the first step in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions. Heat rate reductions are commercially proven to be the most cost-effective and immediate process for controlling CO2. A 1 percent heat rate reduction corresponds to a 1 percent reduction in CO2 emissions-about 40,000 tons/year-which could amount to significant savings if new regulations permit trading of CO2 credits or impose fees on CO2 emissions.
Heat rate reductions will also result in decreases in other emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulates, and mercury. These reductions can help plants meet other compliance requirements, and in some cases, the benefit of emissions reduction may exceed the value of fuel savings.
Historical Heat Rates
Since the mid-1960s, the average heat rates of fossil-fueled electric power plants in the United States have gradually increased. Several factors have contributed to this slow degradation in unit performance. First was the introduction of nuclear generating units to provide an increasing share of baseload generation, along with the anticipation of a large expanding nuclear construction program into the future. With these low-cost generating units forecast to provide a large fraction of the baseload capacity, utilities devoted less attention to the maintenance and upkeep of their older fossil stations in anticipation of their retirements in the 1970s and 1980s.
This trend was exacerbated as nuclear construction costs escalated, reducing the funds available for maintaining fossil station performance, as well as diverting the attention of utility upper management from the operation of these stations. For those utilities that brought nuclear units online, many of the fossil plants that formerly comprised their system’s baseload capacity were changed to cycling duty. The thermal inefficiencies associated with start-ups, shut-downs, and swings in load, as well as extended periods of operation at less than full power, resulted in increased heat rates for these units. Generating units are designed and built to achieve their best heat rates when operated in steady state at full load.
Additionally, environmental regulations were enacted that forced many utilities to retrofit energy-consuming, pollution-control equipment such as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems. The addition of such controls had many deleterious effects, including increase in auxiliary power consumption and decrease in boiler efficiency. This adverse trend started with the required addition of electro-static precipitators (ESPs) to remove particulate matter from the flue gas prior to exhausting it out the stack. These new ESPs increased the consumption of auxiliary power and created a pressure drop, forcing fans to work harder.
Simultaneously, the use of fuels like Powder River Basin (PRB) with higher moisture contents contributed to a reduction in unit performance.
Most recently, the proliferation of renewable and gas generation has, along with economic factors, resulted in a need for more flexible operation of the existing coal-fired fleet, necessitating more frequent cycling and lower turndown, which has a substantial negative effect on plant heat rates.
The challenge of improving fossil plant heat rates in the 1980s was made more difficult by declining coal quality, the penalties associated with retrofitting air emission control equipment, and the normal degradation associated with aging units. This latter concern continues today, as units are operated with more rigorous emission controls, beyond their expected operating lifetimes, and on increasingly flexible schedules.
With all these elements working against heat rate improvements, current estimates suggest efficiencies at many existing coal-fired power plants have dropped by several percentage points. Some of this efficiency might be recoverable, provided that the correct processes, procedures, and resources are applied and maintained.
capital and maintenance projects
In 2008-2009, EPRI developed a methodology to assess the costs and benefits of potential maintenance improvements to coal-fired power plants, and refined this methodology to assess the net annual benefit of potential capital improvements to these plants.
The assessment methodologies were then applied to a hypothetical 500-MW plant to calculate the potential benefits of capital improvements and maintenance projects, including heat rate reduction benefits, reductions in auxiliary load, capacity increases, equivalent forced outage rate (EFOR) improvements, and emissions benefits. The calculations were captured in two spreadsheets-one for capital projects and the other for maintenance projects. Inputs could be modified according to plant-specific circumstances, thus making it possible for individual utilities to use the methodology for scoping studies. The magnitude of the actual heat rate improvements are site specific, as are the drivers and economic benefits.
Methodologies
The assessment methodologies followed a six-step approach that divided the effort into logical steps designed to ensure a reasonably comprehensive and technically accurate analysis.
- 1. Identify major systems in a typical plant.
- 2. Identify typical or potential projects for each system.
- 3. Obtain input data and values (e.g. costs and heat rate improvement).
- 4. Characterize typical or potential projects for each system.
- 5. Summarize uncertainty and potential findings.
- 6. Conduct a reasonability check of results and input data.
Capital Projects
The report contained spreadsheets listing 32 capital projects. For each project, the spreadsheets identify the estimated capital cost, added O&M cost per year, heat rate reduction (percent and Btu/kWh), estimated auxiliary load benefit, capacity increase, EFOR improvement benefit, heat rate benefit, emissions benefit, added power sales benefits, and net annual benefit. At the time the project was completed and the report written, the emissions benefit related only to NOx and SO2, but the equations could easily be adapted to include CO2 and mercury.
The report could benefit multiple projects including: turbine steam seal upgrades, turbine section replacements, intelligent soot-blowing systems, automated boiler drains, coal-drying systems, air heater baskets, and combustion optimization. The results represent a wide range. Not all projects generated net benefits with a positive payback. Heat rate reductions ranged from 0.10 to 2.50 percent. The spreadsheets can be used by plant engineers and planners to develop realistic cases for making specific capital investments.
Maintenance Projects
The report also contained spreadsheets listing 25 maintenance projects and practices. For each entry, the spreadsheets identify the estimated initial maintenance cost, additional O&M costs per year, heat rate reduction (percent and Btu/kWh), estimated auxiliary load benefit, capacity increase, EFOR improvement benefit, heat rate benefit, emissions benefit, added power sales benefits, maintenance annual benefit-cost ratio, useful life, and payback in years.
Example projects included: replacing feed pump turbine steam seals, repairing steam and water leaks, boiler chemical cleaning, repairing boiler air in-leakage, cleaning air preheater coils, repairing condensate pumps, and repairing flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. The results were wide-ranging. Heat rate reductions spanned from 0.03 to 1.50 percent.
heat rate improvements at five sites
The EPRI Production Cost Optimization (PCO) project assisted participating members in implementing or enhancing heat rate optimization programs to reduce production costs through sustainable performance improvements.
The PCO assessment process consisted of benchmarking plant thermal performance using historical plant data to identify potential areas for performance improvement. In some instances a significant heat rate improvement was achieved with a recommitment to best operating practices, and without the need for capital expenditures on new technology.
Unit heat rate improved at four of the five plants in the time between their initial and follow-up assessments. While most plants had estimates of the improvement expected with the actions taken, it was not always possible to reconcile observed improvements with estimated improvements.
The plant participants were not always able to implement all recommendations and often had their own initiatives for outage work that resulted in decreased heat rate. Performance improvements were significant and ranged from 3 to 5 percent. This level represents an equal percentage of each plant’s annual fuel bill and demonstrates that making heat rate an integral part of maintenance and operations activities can yield real and lasting financial savings, as well as a significant reduction in CO2 and other emissions.
The five coal-fired units had net capacities ranging from 95 to 650 MW. The service ages of the plants ranged from 30 to 55 years. The units represented the variation in design, configuration, fuel supply, and vendors observed in plants throughout the US.
Common Issues
In the five plants that completed analyses and reports, the common issues included:
- Combustion problems and high air heater/stack exit gas temperatures
- Limited heat rate information availability
- Need for training to raise heat rate awareness, including understanding controllable losses
- Need for unit and equipment performance testing
- Feedwater heater train performance problems
- Need for sootblowing optimization
Common Recommendations
The following recommendations were common to the five units covered by follow-up analyses:
- Provide heat rate awareness training to operations staff that is focused on the basics of heat rate, the cost of heat rate deviations, and actionable heat rate information for operations.
- Make heat rate information readily available to more plant personnel. Sharing heat rate-related information with a broader segment of plant personnel can result in earlier identification and resolution of heat rate problems. Incorporating thinking about heat rate into day-to-day operational decisions can reduce overall plant heat rate.
- Improve utilization of controllable losses information by operations staff. Incentivize operations staff to monitor and minimize controllable losses. Keep targets achievable within constraints of equipment and operating conditions. This may require sites to enhance, upgrade, or initiate real-time controllable losses displays.
- Optimize sootblower operation. This can help to improve steam temperature control, normalize heat absorption patterns, and improve precipitator performance. Additional benefits include reduced air heater/stack exit gas temperatures, decline in circumferential cracking of boiler tubes, and reduced NOx emissions.
- Initiate a routine testing program. A periodic testing program should be established to aid in early detection of changes in equipment performance and/or unit operation to improve maintenance scheduling efforts and reduce unscheduled outages. By utilizing station instrumentation, a reliable and repeatable trend of unit performance can be developed.
- Increase Feedwater Heater Performance Monitoring. Heater levels and performance parameters should be monitored on a daily basis to maintain best performance. The Drain Cooler Approach (DCA) should be checked to ensure that steam is not entering the drain cooler. If this happens for an extended period of time, the heater will be damaged, resulting in tube leaks, off-design operation, increased maintenance, and higher unit heat rate.
Quantified Benefits of Implementing Recommendations
Plant heat rates were trended for one-month periods during the original PCO assessment, and then again during the follow-up assessment. The time elapsed between the original and follow-up assessments ranged from 20 to 24 months.
Some plants reported expected heat rate improvements from actions they had taken, which ranged from 200 to 400 Btu/kWh, or approximately 2 to 4 percent. While it was difficult to correlate specific improvements with measured data, it was clear from the assessments that plant efficiencies improved significantly at four of the five plants that completed follow-up assessments. The magnitude of the heat rate improvements ranged from 279 to 557 Btu/kWh at or near fullload operation, as shown in Figure 1. This represents an improvement in heat rate of approximately 3 to 5 percent. The results of this project are site specific and are not universally applicable to all coal-fired power plants.
Fuel Savings and CO2 Benefits
With heat rate improvements ranging from 3 to 5 percent, the results of the PCO follow-up studies clearly demonstrate that plant heat rate can be favorably affected by operational and maintenance activities undertaken by plant owners.
Figure 2 shows the range of equivalent fuel savings for a 5 percent reduction in heat rate at generating units of three different sizes, and factoring for different levels of fuel costs. The figure demonstrates that these savings are significant. A five percent improvement in the heat rate of a 500-MW (net) power plant can amount to $3.5 million in annual fuel savings. It can also reduce CO2 emissions over 180,000 tons annually.
fleetwide assessment and Case study
In 2010, EPRI conducted a study with a member utility to identify power plant efficiency improvements that could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in all 12 coal-fired plants in the fleet.
The project was undertaken to show how improvements in coal plant energy efficiency could be used to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The utility established an internal team to explore its options for improving coal plant efficiency. The results focused on the amount of CO2 reduced, as well as on the cost per ton of that CO2. The estimated cost per ton of reduced CO2 can be used to determine which projects are viable based on the price of CO2 credits.
During the study, the project team applied a standardized methodology previously developed for evaluating efficiency improving projects in a single power plant.
In this project, the team compiled a list of feasible efficiency improvement options and conducted analyses to determine project-specific net annual benefits in relation to reduction of CO2 emissions. Team members compiled information from various internal sources and then added more projects from the EPRI capital projects report. All projects were listed in a spreadsheet and normalized to match each unit within their current operating system.
The study covered only projects for existing coal-fired power plants. The assumption was made that net plant output remained constant. If the proposed project happened to increase capacity along with efficiency, the fuel burn was reduced to hold net output constant. The plant could then calculate and summarize the CO2 emissions that were reduced or avoided.
The following steps were used to evaluate potential energy efficiency improvement projects for the fleet:
- Assemble a team of experts within the utility that have collective knowledge covering all the units being investigated, and all the projects being considered.
- Identify potential projects.
- Identify coal-fired units to be included in the analysis.
- Screen projects for feasibility of application to each unit in the fleet.
- Determine project attributes for each application.
- Evaluate applicable projects for each unit.
- Develop project rankings based on the cost-benefit analysis for each application.
- Prepare Pareto curves to provide management with a decision-making tool to prepare for any future carbon-related charges.
Issue fleet-specific reports.
The technology feasibility screening process identified more than 40 candidate projects, organized by six major plant systems, as listed in Table 1.
Using this list, the project team conducted a fatal-flaw analysis to determine the feasibility of the efficiency projects on a unit-by-unit basis. Because of their configurations, some plants did not qualify for particular projects. Numerous efficiency projects had already been completed in advance of the study.
Top Projects
Over 490 potential projects were identified and screened for feasibility. Of these, 174 projects were identified as feasible.
Analysis determined that several projects were justified, independent of the project’s economic life. The following projects were justified without any CO2 credits:
- Boiler drain automation (12 units)
- Air heater seals (8 units)
- Station air systems (2 units)
- Circulating water strainers (8 units)
- Air heater baskets (4 units)
- Condenser ball cleaning systems (8 units)
Key Observations
Many projects can improve plant efficiencies and reduce CO2 emissions. Analysis provides a tool that can be used to evaluate and rank potential projects by their projected benefits. Based on a 30-year economic life, analysis estimated that, if all 174 projects were implemented, the upper limit for fleet-wide coal plant CO2 reductions would be about two million tons per year (an approximate 5.3 percent reduction of current operating fleet CO2 emissions), at an estimated capital cost of over $800 million. However, initial evaluations indicated that some projects should be investigated further, regardless of the value of CO2, thus yielding about one million tons a year in reduction of CO2 emissions (an approximate 2.7 percent reduction in the fleet’s CO2 emissions).
The Pareto-type curve in Figure 3 shows cumulative CO2 reduction, as well as the cost per ton of that CO2. The x-axis represents projects ranked in order of cost per ton of CO2 from Project Numbers 1-174. The y-axis represent the cumulative tons of CO2 reduced per year by all projects (green bars), as well as the cost per ton of CO2 reduced by each project (blue line). The red line separates projects that may be justified with a net annual benefit that is ≤ $0/ton of CO2. Projects with a negative cost per ton of CO2 may be justified without credit for CO2.
Flexible Operation
Flexible operation refers to a plant’s ability to operate in part-load, load-following, and cycling modes. This is often done in response to economic conditions and increased utilization of non-coal-based generation. Operating plants in flexible modes can result in reductions in plant efficiency and increased degradation of components due to constant swings in operating temperature and pressure.
A 2010 EPRI study identified cost-effective capital modifications and adjustments to plant operating procedures that would improve heat rates during cycling operations. The study identified 10 upgrade options:
- Automated pulverizer supervisory controls
- Boiler draft system control schemes and operating philosophy
- Cooling system optimization
- Feedwater heater drain system modifications
- Minimization of flow, pressure, and temperature oscillations
- Optimum partial load operation of air quality control systems
- Performance monitoring
- Reduction of warm-up flow for idle boiler feed pumps
- Sliding pressure operation
- Variable-speed drives
Cycle Alignment
Cycle alignment, also known as cycle isolation, refers to alignments in valves that reduce the high-energy fluid leakage from the steam cycle at a power plant. Certain leaking valves will cause a direct loss in generation, or an increase in fuel costs.
When used as part of an overall plant performance improvement program, cycle alignment programs have provided large gains at low costs. With improved cycle alignment, heat rate improvements in the range of 50 Btu/kWh (about 0.5 percent) are common. Units with problematic valves or no history of cycle-alignment maintenance may experience a large one-time heat rate improvement upon the implementation of such a program.
Various methods have been used to ensure proper cycle alignment, but an application’s success and costs vary depending upon the specific valves and unit designs involved. In an effort to help power companies optimize the application of cycle alignments, a 2011 EPRI project assessed cycle alignment activities and identified their costs and benefits. The study identified field methods to estimate the leakage rates in valves and used several real-life examples to illustrate how cycle alignment programs have been implemented.
Remote Monitoring Centers
Remote monitoring centers (RMCs) have been used for many years to track and improve equipment reliability. In many cases, these same RMCs have thermal performance software installed for monitoring heat rate. The value of finding and fixing reliability issues can often be quantified, but placing a value on heat rate monitoring is not so easy.
The project team visited RMCs at three power generating companies. The main priority of these RMCs was to improve reliability, but they also monitored for heat rate improvements. In addition to improvement in equipment reliability, all of the visited companies were able to verify heat rate improvements based on the activities of the monitoring centers. In many cases, the heat rate improvements were significant and well surpassed the incremental costs for monitoring heat rate in addition to reliability. Heat rate improvements in the range of 2.5 to 4 percent have been reported as attributable to actions of these remote monitoring centers.
Steam Turbine Steam Path Modifications
Over the past 20 years, an increased number of nuclear and fossil power plants have undertaken modifications to increase the power rating and/or improve the heat rate of selected units. Many of these actions have resulted from physical upgrades to steam turbine generators, as well as enhancements to auxiliary components.
EPRI conducted a survey to compile the current results of performance. Commonly reported heat rate improvements attributed to turbine modifications were in the range of 2 to 4 percent.
Heat Rate Improvement Program Guidelines
Power plant facilities with heat rate improvement programs perform better than those without such programs. A heat rate improvement program typically provides sufficient information for decision making with respect to timely maintenance actions, operational adjustments, and physical modifications.
Monitoring the performance of any power plant component includes the trending of parameters that also describe the performance of other plant components, providing insight and information on improving their operation as a whole. A performance program creates a culture that is centered on improving plant performance. Sharing performance data with plant staff strengthens their understanding of how each individual may contribute, ultimately making heat rate improvement a team effort.
Steam Turbine Performance Engineer’s Guide
The steam turbine is the workhorse of most power plants. Its performance and reliability relate directly to the performance and reliability of the power plant it serves. The actions of the turbine performance engineer are crucial to the turbine’s high level of performance.
The primary role of a steam turbine performance engineer is to improve and maintain the efficiency and power output of the steam turbine cycle. One of the measurements of success is improved turbine heat rate.
CONCLUSIONS
Power plants are designed for an optimal heat rate. While that heat rate may not be the lowest achievable at a given point in time, trade-offs occur with respect to capital and O&M costs, siting, and fuel. The average coal-fired power plant is now 40 years old. Over the course of four decades, these plants have been subject to physical modifications and repairs, and have suffered age-related degradation. Many of these modifications have included the addition of emissions controls, which typically have an adverse effect on heat rate. Since initial startup, many units have changed their fuel supplies, reduced staffing sizes, and been called on for flexible operations that create adverse effects on heat rates. By improving the performance of multiple integrated systems within a power plant, heat rates can be improved and facilities rendered more efficient.
Author
S. Korellis is a Project Manager at EPRI. | https://www.power-eng.com/2014/11/25/range-and-applicability-of-heat-rate-improvements/ |
The Freight Transport Association’s (FTA’s) annual Cutting Carbon, Cutting Costs Conference will not only focus on key developments that enabling the logistics sector to significantly reduce carbon emissions, but will also celebrate the individual efforts of companies to reduce carbon with the presentation of the 2014 LCRS Awards.
The event is FTA’s sixth consecutive Carbon Conference, and the challenge of reducing freight has never been more important. The Conference event will be interactive and will aim provide specialised carbon reduction advice for freight operators with a range of workshops to suit their own fleet and business. Focusing on the latest operational and technological measures, the conference will provide delegates with tactics to improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and ultimately lower fuel costs.
Rachael Dillon, Climate Change Policy Manager said:
“FTA is delighted to be holding its sixth Carbon Conference. The 2014 conference programme will provide delegates with the opportunity to discover the latest carbon reduction practices, and learn of the innovative ways to improve their operational efficiency.”
Included in the conference programme is a session on ‘Low carbon vision for logistics’; asking what the key developments are that will enable the logistics sector to achieve enduring carbon reductions? This will focus on the long term opportunities to improve the carbon efficiency of HGVs with perspectives from vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers and operators.
Ms Dillon continued:
“Carbon reduction can reap rewards for business, keynote speakers at the FTA Carbon Conference will enable us to understand the challenges the industry faces in reducing its carbon emissions and most importantly identify solutions.”
Other conference programme sessions include:
• Logistics Carbon Review 2014 launch
• Workshop – Meeting the requirements of Energy Audits and carbon reporting obligations
• Workshop – Making long haul operations more carbon efficient
• Workshop – Options for freight modal shift
• Workshop – Making urban logistics more carbon efficient
The event is sponsored by LCRS Industry Partner, Bridgestone and Iveco and will be chaired by Mark Sutcliffe, Group Transport Manager, Warburtons.
Also during the day, the presentation of the 2014 LCRS Awards will take place;
The LCRS Awards were developed to celebrate the efforts of green leaders in the freight industry, recognising the efforts of individual LCRS members to reduce their carbon emissions from freight activity.
The 2014 LCRS Award categories are:
• Best fuel efficient operation (sponsored by Bridgestone)
• Best use of alternative low carbon fuels and technologies (sponsored by Iveco)
• Most innovative fleet management
• Breakthrough in modal shift
• Leadership in logistics carbon reduction
Entry to the LCRS 2014 Awards is free, and the closing date is 5pm on Friday 14 February 2014. | https://www.internationalsupermarketnews.com/fta-carbon-conference-to-celebrate-work-of-the-freight-industry-in-reducing-emissions/ |
Infrastructure is associated with half of UK Greenhouse Gas emissions of which 30% are directly attributed to the construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure assets.
How we can help
We help organisations in the construction industry comply with PAS 2080 and move towards a more collaborative, sustainable future by identifying areas of improvement and utilising sector best practice.
We have created our very own gap analyses tailored to the needs of asset owners/managers, designers, constructers or product/material suppliers to help you identify and realise the changes required for PAS 2080 compliance.
Benefits of PAS 2080 compliance
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Gain an early advantage in global markets
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Reduce carbon emissions and costs
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Build an innovative culture
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Enhance environmental reputation
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Engage stakeholders
What is PAS 2080?
PAS 2080 is a global standard for managing infrastructure carbon and has been authored to meet World Trade Organization requirements.
The framework looks at the whole value chain, aiming to reduce carbon and reduce cost through more intelligent design, construction and use.
PAS 2080 also ensures carbon is consistently and transparently quantified at key points in infrastructure delivery which promotes sharing of data along the value chain.
Who does PAS 2080 impact?
PAS 2080 is applicable to any member involved in the delivery of infrastructure including asset owners/managers, designers, constructers and product/material suppliers.
Resources
E-learning module - Reduce Carbon, Reduce Cost
Developed by the Green Construction Board, this online course helps leaders and practitioners in the infrastructure sector gain a better understanding of how to manage and reduce carbon in infrastructure. | https://www.carbontrust.com/what-we-do/assurance-and-certification/pas-2080-carbon-management-in-infrastructure |
Profitability / Performance
Work smarter not harder. Let us show you how. From private practice to corporate health care organizations, Catalyst helps you maximize operational efficiency and optimize profitability.
Financial & Operational Practice Assessment
The Catalyst team reviews the business to identify areas for process improvement and target revenue enhancing opportunities that positively affect the bottom line. We develop strategies to meet objectives and provide support to assist you and your staff in implementation. Operations are thoroughly examined for efficiency and adherence to defined policies and protocols, as well as opportunities to reduce cost and enhance cash flow.
Catalyst Consulting provides critical practice assessment services in the following areas: | https://www.catalyst-consultants.com/practice-assessment |
Joint project "Renewable fuels for electricity production"
Renewable fuels from solar energy have the potential to replace fossil fuels and create CO2-free alternatives. While sequestration and storage of CO2 is an economical and energetic drawback, it is an advantage to upgrade unavoidable CO2 to methane (CH4) via renewable Hydrogen (H2) and thus replace fossil CH4. If CH4 and H2 are produced with such quality and efficiency as addressed in this joint project, commercially available solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM) will offer additional CO2 savings when converted into electricity and heat.
Project description (completed research project)
The Swiss government has signed the Paris Climate Agreement, which implies that various measures need to be implemented in order to reach the target of a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions in Switzerland by 2030 compared to the value for 1990. Production of cement in Switzerland accounts for about 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, which corresponds to roughly 7% of the country’s total annual CO2 emissions. The research project examined how this CO2 – mainly unavoidable geogenic CO2 from the lime stone – could be put to good use to create a new value chain via CO2 methanation and thus help to reduce the consumption and import of fossil fuels in Switzerland. With the power-to-gas technology, this CO2 along with regenerative hydrogen from solar-to-fuel technologies can be converted into renewable synthetic natural gas, fed into the existing natural gas grid and consumed from fuel cell technologies.
Aim
The declared aim of this joint project was the technical evaluation of a value chain to convert all of the 2.5 million tonnes of cementitious CO2 into CH4 in order to replace fossil CH4 imports and thus reduce the corresponding CO2 emissions. This is achieved by producing H2 through solar water splitting (PEC), which is subsequently converted via a sorption-based CO2 methanation. Both H2 and CH4 are utilised in SOFC and PEM fuel cell technologies.
Results
The joint project comprises four innovative approaches in the fields of materials research and modelling to enable a CO2 saving value chain for energy production. More efficient, lifetime improving and more cost competitive technologies are being examined within this value chain with the aim of reducing and reusing CO2:
- A Cu2O based HIT tandem
PEC system demonstrated 8.8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, by far the most efficient unbiased tandem system on oxide materials only. 100-hour stability with less than 10% degradation from nanostructured radial p-n junction was established.
- A sorption-enhanced
CO2 methanation catalyst demonstrated a groundbreaking 100% CO2 to-CH4 conversion at stoichiometric conditions and 300°C and thus reached a new level of efficiency and sufficiency with respect to the cost-driving H2. Operation time of the catalyst concept is enhanced by 300% from an improved support-catalyst interaction.
- Novel simulation models are developed to reduce transport losses in gas diffusion layers (GDL) and to simulate coupled transport processes in
PEM fuel cells, such as transport of gas components, liquid water, heat and charge in GDLs. The simulation software is available for industry and research.
- A unique perovskite (La,Sr)Ti0.95Ni0.05O3-d anode material for combined heat and power SOFC technology provides an innovative and outstanding functionality: a catalytic and microstructural self-regeneration. After severe degradation, i.e. particle growth and poisoning from H2S, the material fully recovers after redox cycling and provides pristine, nanostructured Ni domains. It provides the same activity as common anode materials but with 90% less Ni.
As part of a technology assessment, a cost estimation has established for the cementitious CO2, factoring in nowadays mature and available technologies (PV|alkaline electrolysis AEL|CO2 methanation), that all of the 2.5 million tonnes of cementitious CO2 can be converted from Swiss resources to renewable methane. This methane would replace 33% of the fossil gas imports!
Taking into account the additional CO2 savings from the integration of more efficient fuel cells into the energy grid, a fuel cell dominated domestic heating sector would generate 50% CO2 savings compared to conventional systems. However, H2 production is by far the most expensive production step in the value chain and contributes to about 90%. Therefore, renewable methane currently costs three times more than fossil methane. To be more competitive, either PV and electrolysis must get cheaper or photo-electrochemical cells (PEC) must become less costly. The sorption-based CO2 methanation will create a substantial economic benefit, with an additional 25% efficiency as well as sufficiency for the H2.
- A Cu2O based HIT tandem
Relevance
Implications for research
The scientific key findings are based on novel and innovative concepts which are groundbreaking for electrochemistry, catalysis and modelling in energy conversion research. Transferring and adopting these key findings to other research fields will enlighten and enrich those disciplines. The project has shown that catalytic systems can recover catalytic performance and their pristine, highly dispersed condition after severe degradation. Additionally, conversion rates of 100%, overcoming “thermodynamic limitations” by so-called sorption-enhanced CO2 methanation will push “Power to X” concepts towards new frontiers. A further scientific impact is generated by the transfer of the PEM fuel cell models on transport of gas, liquid water, heat and charge into water electrolysis, an important key technology in the future renewable energy system. PEC technology, not yet ready for commercialisation, has shown outstanding performance improvement, but the material stability in such a complex layered structure needs to be scientifically investigated and improved.
Hence, the outstanding scientific contributions of this joint project inspire other research groups and disciplines in reaching higher efficiency, better performance and longer operation times within the important field of CO2 reduction and reuse.
Implications for practice
The joint project gained scientific and to a large degree also practical knowledge which can directly be transferred (PEM) or is even currently being transferred (SOFC and CO2) to a more industry-relevant level. Thanks to the wide range of topics addressed by the subprojects (PEC, CO2, PEM, SOFC) a host of stakeholders and interest groups can now benefit in practice from the successful implementation of the relevant technologies and the sustainability assessment:
- Politicians and economists;
- CO2 emitting industries;
- Gas providers and natural gas grid operators;
- The fuel cell industry;
- End consumers.
Technology transfer itself has already been started for technologies such as PEM, SOFC and CO2 methanation, because the subprojects also generated a large share of practical knowledge. The direct effects for real-life applications are as follows:
- CO2 methanation catalysts are currently implemented in a high efficiency demonstration plant in Switzerland (CO2 reuse for CO2 savings);
- Novel catalyst concept for SOFC provides a more reliable system, economically more attractive to house owners, because of reduced CO2 emissions, longer life span with reduced resource consumptions (CO2 savings);
- The critical operation condition of PEM fuel cells is improved, which can have an impact on the decision to buy a fuel-cell-powered instead of a combustion based car (CO2 savings). | https://nfp70.ch/en/YPRufh21RHITig1z/project/renewable-energy-production |
Water use intensity is projected to increase for many of the leading decarbonization pathways for fossil power generation. These include fuel switching (e.g. biomass, hydrogen) and carbon capture and storage (CCS). In many parts of the US, water scarcity is already a key consideration both for management of current systems as well as for planning of future investments. This motivates additional effort at reducing power plant water intensity through operation improvements, technology selection, and sourcing of non-traditional waters. This webinar will focus on understanding the water consumption and global warming potential of various power production routes today and tomorrow to meet future energy demands.
Presenter: Timothy J. Skone, P.E., DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory
Mr. Skone is a Senior Environmental Engineer within the Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Systems Engineering and Analysis Directorate. He leads Life Cycle Analysis Research efforts within the Office of Fossil Energy on carbon utilization technologies, methane emissions from the natural gas value chain, alternative transportation fuels, advanced power generation systems, and energy water impacts. He is the primary author on multiple natural gas and coal related life cycle analyses published by the Department of Energy. He also leads research on energy resource availability, water scarcity, integration of biomass and fossil energy resources, and strategic energy concepts for new programs. Mr. Skone is an elected member of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North American Life Cycle Analysis Interest Group, SETAC liaison to the American Center for Life Cycle Analysis, member of the University of Michigan Global CO2 Initiative Advisory Board, and founding organizing member of the Federal LCA Commons. Mr. Skone has 21 years of experience in the field of energy analysis and is a graduate of the Penn State University.
Bringing A Renewable Fuel Alternative to Market: How LCA Data Helped Biofine Develop New Technology, Win Industry Support
Over 5 billion gallons of heating oil are burned in the US annually, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. To address these issues, chemical engineer Dr. Steven Fitzpatrick sought to develop a new biofuel alternative that would reduce the resulting GHG emissions without significant changes in behavior or additional cost outlay by consumers or suppliers.
Biofine Developments Northeast (BDNE), a company founded by Dr. Fitzpatrick, has developed and patented a process for converting cellulose waste into a liquid biofuel alternative, ethyl levulinate (EL). Known as Biofine EL, it can be used in existing oil-based heating systems and delivered through existing supply chains at competitive cost.
To support Dr. Fitzgerald’s technology and market development efforts, EarthShift Global consultants conducted two life cycle assessment (LCA) projects that...
How HP Used Anticipatory LCA to Develop Innovative New Products and Business Models
HP Inc. has a long history of sustainability initiatives with LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) at their core. EarthShift Global had the privilege of supporting HP using an Anticipatory LCA approach when they first introduced their 3D printing technology. The insights gained from the LCA have allowed HP to study hypothetical situations to help guide product development and provided impetus for new business model development.
The initial study compared several 3D printed parts with the same parts made using injection molding. An immediate finding of the study was high energy consumption by the 3D printer. This was unexpected by the team, as the printer is based on ink-jet technology which is considered to have low energy consumption. The team immediately started work to reduce the energy consumption.
The main study showed what HP was expecting: that the impacts of 3D printing were lower than injection molding and higher after some break-even point—similar to the economic situation. Adding consideration of the decarbonization of the energy grid, however, we found that the 3D parts were better for many more parts, and even at high volumes were essentially equivalent in impact.
3D printing also allows designers to reduce the weight of a part while still performing the same function and the auto manufacturer we worked with suggested that a 30% mass reduction was achievable with some of their parts. This reduction again gives the 3D printed parts an impact benefit over larger volumes of parts. But since the reduction in mass is part of an overall effort to improve efficiency, if the efficiency improvements are taken into consideration the 3D part is by far a winner.
Another benefit of 3D printing is the ability to print very low volumes on demand. Team members on both the HP and EarthShift Global side had recently had to replace dishwashers for a single, obsolete broken part, so the topic was fresh to mind. We looked at this by considering that a very small number of cars might last one year longer if a broken part could be 3D printed. The benefit of not having to make another car was significantly more than the impact of making the part at any volume.
This insight went farther than anticipated, as HP recognized the equipment life concern with their own products. The brainstorming around longer equipment life led to several new business models, including printing as a service and device-as-a-service for PCs.
In summary, Anticipatory LCA as applied to HP Inc. 3D printing, was instrumental in identifying opportunities to reduce impact on the environment, guide new product development, improve the customer experience and foster development of a new business model.
Upcoming Training
Last Chance!
Anticipatory LCA - From Concept to Application
(3 hrs.)—July 20-21 (New Dates!)
$750 per person
Anticipatory LCA is an advanced LCA approach designed to improve decision making in the early stages of the design process. LCA researchers have developed several Anticipatory LCA techniques which enable application of LCA early in the research and development phases where uncertainty, but also potential for improvement, is greatest. Anticipatory LCA can be applied as a design tool to explore the environmental variability of alternative technology configurations and applications. This is especially beneficial in the design phases when data is uncertain and fast changing and limits a full traditional LCA.
This course will provide an introduction to the concepts of Anticipatory LCA, and an exploration of the applications of the concepts through industry case studies. In this interactive online course, participants will also have the opportunity to apply Anticipatory LCA concepts to their own case study. Get started applying the concepts to your own situation with an all-star group of instructors: Lise Laurin, Valentina Prado, Tom Seager and Equilibrio co-founder Tom Etheridge. | https://earthshiftglobal.com/july-2021-theshift-e-newsletter |
Climate Change & Sea Level Rise
Miami-Dade County is addressing climate change and sea level rise through a multi-faceted approach of mitigation and adaptation, as well as through its participation in the 100 Resilient Cities network.
MitigationClimate change mitigation refers to efforts to limit the magnitude of climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Through the Compact of Mayors, Mayor Gimenez has committed the County to reducing our community-wide GHG emissions and regularly reporting our progress. The County is working toward this commitment by targeting the largest sources of GHG emissions - buildings and transportation. This effort includes policies and programs to reduce emissions through energy and water conservation, increased efficiency, and decreased fossil fuel use.
AdaptationClimate change adaptation refers to actions taken to reduce a community's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The County is working to strengthen infrastructure, enhance natural protections, ensure resilient communities, promote economic resilience, and identify innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change.
100 Resilient CitiesResilient Greater Miami & the Beaches (GM&B) is a unique collaboration among Miami-Dade County and the Cities of Miami and Miami Beach, created to respond to global trends major cities face: urbanization, globalization and climate change. In the spring of 2016, after a highly competitive process, GM&B was selected to join 100 Resilient Cities. Together, we are building strategies for implementation to prepare our community to not only survive, but to thrive in the face of challenges like sea level rise and extreme weather.
10th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership SummitOn October 24-25, 2018, Miami-Dade County will host the 10th Annual Climate Leadership Summit in partnership with the City of Miami Beach at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Coordinated by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a partnership between Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties, their municipalities and other partners, the Summit is a major regional event focused on facilitating climate-related collaboration and knowledge sharing. The County last hosted the Summit in 2014, where Mayor Gimenez shared his perspectives on how climate change is influencing the County’s thinking on urban, regional, transportation and economic planning.
Carlos A. GimenezCounty Mayor
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, | https://www.miamidade.gov/global/government/mayor/climate-change.page |
Greening Government Fund
The Greening Government Fund has been established as part of the Government of Canada’s response to climate change. This initiative:
- promotes and shares innovative approaches to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs)
- provides project funding to federal government departments and agencies to reduce GHG emissions in their operations
The fund targets projects that:
- are anticipated to reduce GHG emissions in federal operations
- test or implement innovative approaches
- can be reproduced within or across departments
- pursue solutions in areas where GHGs are difficult to reduce
Project funding comes from departments and agencies that generate more than 1 kilotonne of GHGs per year from air travel. Only departments and agencies that contribute to the fund are eligible to access it.
Projects that received funding in the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year are described below.
National Research Council Canada: Low-Carbon Assets Through Life-Cycle Assessment
- Amount: $4 million over 4 years
- Summary: Develop a life-cycle inventory database and assessment guidelines for stakeholders that will allow the tracking of the life-cycle carbon and total cost of ownership of built assets
Natural Resources Canada: High-Temperature Heat Pump for District Energy Systems
- Amount: $900,000 over 2 years
- Summary: Develop, design and test a prototype water-to-water heat pump that produces high-temperature heat (80+°C) from mid- to low-temperature heat sources (0°C to 30°C)
National Defence: Net-Zero Residential Building Designs for the Canadian Forces Housing Agency
- Amount: $550,000 over 1 year
- Summary: Develop net-zero designs and complete a location feasibility study for 4 residential building styles (a multi-unit residential building, a single family home, a semi-detached building and a row house building) for the Canadian Forces Housing Agency that can be replicated
National Defence: Navy Ship Platform Exploitation of Energy Data (SPEED)
- Amount: $1,570,000 over 4 years
- Summary: SPEED is targeted toward optimizing energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions for naval platforms. It will accomplish this through:
- developing an understanding of baseline energy use
- developing and validating ship energy models
- enabling energy-efficient operations by applying data analytics to ship platform power and energy data
Parks Canada: Solar Net-Zero Carbon Building in Kluane National Park, Yukon
- Amount: $185,000 over 2 years
- Summary: Add a roof-mounted solar array with a net meter to make a current construction project net neutral. The project will also develop a design to move the facility from diesel heating fuel to being 100% electric
Public Services and Procurement Canada: Heritage Building Envelope Energy Efficiency Study
- Amount: $850,000 over 3 years
- Summary: Evaluate the performance of strategies to upgrade the thermal energy performance of building envelopes in heritage rehabilitation projects
National Defence: Study on Potential for Using Organic Waste as an Energy Source
- Amount: $100,000 over 2 years
- Summary: Develop a circular approach for the sustainable management of organic residues at the Valcartier support base
Public Services and Procurement Canada: CO2 Cooling in Server Rooms
- Amount: $100,000 over 1 year
- Summary: Install a state-of-the-art CO2 cooling system and recover the heat produced in a planned server room renovation
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada: Purchase of Two Electric Tractors
- Amount: $160,000 over 1 year
- Summary: Purchase 2 zero-emission plug-in electric tractors and install charging equipment at the Summerland Research and Development Centre
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Net-Zero Carbon Building Upgrade: St. Lewis Fish Management Satellite Office and Warehouse
- Amount: $596,000 over 3 years
- Summary: Install a solar-array photovoltaic system and geothermal heating system to increase the energy efficiency of the facility
National Defence: Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in an Optimized Base of the Future
- Amount: $400,000 over 2 years
- Summary: Deliver a military base template that minimizes GHG emissions while respecting operational requirements
Global Affairs Canada: Development of a Carpooling App
- Amount: $102,000 over 4 years
- Summary: Program to develop, implement and monitor the use of a carpooling application at Global Affairs Canada. The app aims to encourage green commuting habits that could be replicated by other federal departments.
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: | https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/greening-government/greening-gov-fund.html |
The White House issued an Executive Order on October 5, 2009 that sets sustainability goals for Federal agencies and focuses on making improvements in their environmental, energy and water efficiency, and economic performance.
The Executive Order, signed by President Obama last week, requires Federal agencies to set a 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target within 90 days, increase energy efficiency, conserve water by improving the efficiency for water usage, reduce waste, reduce fleet vehicle petroleum consumption and support sustainable communities.
Among the environmental measures mandated by the order is a 26% improvement in water efficiency by 2020.
Demonstrating a commitment to lead by example the President stated that the federal government can and should create innovative ways for each agency to develop and carry out priorities to assist in meeting their sustainability goals. | http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/obama-exec-order.aspx |
For decades African countries have been forced by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to implement neo-liberal policies, including opening their markets to foreign competition, reducing the role of the state in providing services and abolishing subsidies to the poor.
An IMF internal paper published this month for the first time conceded the neo-liberal package policies prescribed by the Bretton Woods organisations are flawed, have increased inequality and not necessarily delivered economic growth.
The report, titled “Neo-liberalism: Oversold”, has the potential to open the space for African and developing countries to come up with alternative policies.
It was written by top IMF economists Jonathan Ostry, Prakash Loungani and Davide Furceri. Their research had led to “disquieting conclusions” for the World Bank, IMF and proponents of neo-liberalism.
The report specifically looked at two aspects of the neo-liberal strategy – the removal of barriers to capital flow, called capital account liberalisation, and cutting public spending to reduce fiscal deficits and public debt, called fiscal consolidation – or austerity.
It came to three devastating conclusions. First, the IMF/World Bank neo-liberal reform strategies have not boosted economic growth. Second, they have increased inequality. Third, “the increased inequality in turn hurts the level and sustainability of growth”.
The report said the removal of barriers to capital flow, or financial openness, has often resulted in short-term speculative, so called “hot”, inflows in developing countries, which could be quickly withdrawn by industrial country investors as they sought better returns, in the process destabilising economies. Not surprisingly, this did not boost growth or allow the developing country to share the costs of such destabilisation with the industrial countries.
The authors argued while exchange rates and financial policies could help to alleviate the risks of short-term capital outflows, “capital controls are a viable, and sometimes the only, option when the source of an unsustainable credit boom is direct borrowing from abroad”.
The IMF report said although high public debt was detrimental to growth and welfare, it would be better for countries to pay off debt over a longer time, rather than cut current productive spending needs.
It said neo-liberal reformers had argued to lower public debt, taxes should be raised or public spending cut or both. However, the authors reckoned the “costs of the tax increases or expenditure cuts required to bring down the debt may be much larger than the reduced crisis risk engendered by the lower debt”.
Furthermore, it argued, “faced with a choice between living with the higher debt – allowing the debt ratio to decline organically through growth – or deliberately running budget surpluses to reduce the debt, governments with ample fiscal space will do better by living with the debt”.
The authors said austerity policies worsened unemployment and increased the cost of welfare through the supply side channels. They argued that fiscal consolidations could be expansionary, that is increasing employment and output in the economy, ostensibly by raising private sector investment and confidence, many in practice actually lead to the opposite.
“On average, a fiscal consolidation of 1 percent of GDP increases the long-term unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points and raises by 1.5 percent within five years the GNI measure of inequality.”
Ostry said he hoped the report would help with a “broader examination” of the effectiveness of neo-liberalism reform strategies.
The neo-liberal policies, called structural adjustment programmes in Africa, essentially consisted of two pillars. One, recipients of development assistance had to open their markets to foreign competition – mostly from firms from industrial countries and former colonial powers, who dominate decision-making in the World Bank and IMF.
Second, they had to reduce the role of the state in the economy. This included privatisation of state-owned companies – often bought by firms from industrial countries and former colonial powers. Alternatively, many African governments sell the privatised entities to local cronies, often cheaply, ostensibly as part of black economic empowerment or indigenisation programmes.
Ironically, in both cases, these privatised entities often remain burdens on the state as they are heavily subsidised to remain viable.
The neo-liberal reform package also includes countries having to abolish subsidies to the poor.
The World Bank and IMF take over supervision of the monetary and fiscal policies of the recipient country. They must also accept advisers from these institutions, who are often not knowledgeable about the countries they advise on, yet are dismissive of local expertise.
Recently, many African countries have again turned to the IMF and World Bank for financial assistance, following the end of Africa’s decade-long commodity-fuelled economic boom.
The report on the destructive nature of neo-liberalism may have come too late for many African countries. The impact of neo-liberal structural adjustment programmes has already led to economic hardship, political instability and conflict in many of them.
Neo-liberal reforms may have in some cases lifted economic growth, but brought little equity, jobs or social security, and the irony has been that the structural adjustment often enriched the already well-off political and economic elites, autocratic regimes and leaders – and impoverished ordinary citizens.
World Bank and IMF-inspired economic reforms have often led to political and social instability, as was seen during the 2011 North African youth uprisings.
Former Malawian President Joyce Banda was forced to implement structural adjustment programmes in return for development aid from the Bretton Woods institutions. The reforms caused such unemployment and anger, she was voted out.
African governments negotiating development assistance from the World Bank and IMF must fight to secure their right to come up with their own policies. African and developing countries must collectively fight for greater influence on decision and policy making in the World Bank and IMF. This should be high on the agenda of the AU and Brics.
Nevertheless, it will matter little if the IMF and World Bank are reformed, and African countries finally secure the policy space to come up with their own policies, if they do not manage their public finances more prudently and keep borrowing irresponsibly.
During the decade-long “Africa Rising” economic boom, they often did not maintain fiscal discipline, reduce budget deficits and keep public debt at bay. Many have also not tackled corruption, cut wasteful spending and inefficiency.
Many growing economies also did not diversify fast enough to bring in new streams of income, beyond exporting raw materials. Neither did many save surpluses for rainy days.
If African countries do not come up with quality policies or, if they do, allow them to be abused by corrupt elements, or they are half-heartedly implemented, they won’t be able to take advantage of the seeming retreat of the four-decade long globally dominant “neo-liberalism”.
*This article was published in the African Independent. To view the article on their website click here. | https://democracyworks.org.za/the-retreat-of-neo-liberalism/ |
The US and other advanced economies have seen steadily rising government deficits and debt as a percent of GDP in recent decades, a development that no mainstream economic theory would predict is an optimal development. Yet even as federal borrowing rises, the politics and economic thinking about deficits has been evolving toward a growing consensus that rising deficits may not be as much of a problem as previously believed. The shift in economic thinking has been in part a sensible reaction to changes in the macroeconomy and recent experience with persistently low interest rates and limited repercussions from rising deficits. Another less mainstream theory that has been gaining traction in progressive political circles, Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) holds that deficits don’t matter at all. While the belief that deficits may not be as harmful as previously believed is supported by the data to date, there is a risk that past isn’t prologue. Reliance on foreign funding and global capital markets combined with changing demographics point to some risk that ever rising debt could become destabilizing at some point, and will almost certainly channel resources away from private investment at some greater or lesser cost to growth potential.
A Brief History of the Politics of Federal Debt in the US
The history of government debt in the US goes back to when the Continental Congress authorized the issuance of notes to European investors and wealthy colonists in order to finance the Revolutionary War. In the aftermath of the war, Alexander Hamilton spearheaded the effort to consolidate the debt of various states that had also borrowed during wartime to the federal level in order to alleviate the economic burden on our young country and establish the creditworthiness of the United States government. Over the history of this country the federal deficit has fluctuated between surplus and deficit with borrowing used to finance wars and territorial expansion. Deficits have historically been unpopular across political parties and viewed as a last resort in times of difficulty. Hamilton recognized the importance of establishing the credibility of the dollar and creditworthiness of the US government so that the option to borrow from investors in times of need would be available.
As the US economy and the dollar became dominant after World War II the concern about maintaining creditworthiness was less of a focus and federal deficits became the norm. Over time the dollar came to be seen as overvalued in part reflecting deficit spending in the 1960s and the post-war Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates against the dollar which was dissolved in the early 1970s. The real value of the dollar declined steadily through the 1970s and the US saw a period of stagflation, a combination of low growth and high inflation. Some Republicans and Democrats called for a balanced budget amendment to the US constitution during this period. Although the US never came close to passing such an amendment, and indeed the 1980s saw a return to rising federal deficits, most states have some form of balanced budget requirement.
In recent years the Republican party has ostensibly been the party of fiscal discipline, although in practice the divide between Republicans and Democrats has less to do with actual policies and more to do with what each party believes deficits should be spent on. This was brought into sharp relief in the past two years as many of the same Republican legislators who shut the government down and brought about a downgrade of the credit rating of the US in 2011 by refusing to raise the debt ceiling and threatening a default turned around and passed a massive tax cut with resulting projections of deficits above a trillion dollars in perpetuity.
The Economics of Public Debt
Like the mainstream political view, economic textbooks tend to view government deficits as appropriate primarily in the case of economic distress. Both classical and Keynsian economists generally agree that deficits can be useful when the economy is in recession and the federal government can help jump start demand when the private sector is pulling back. In addition, it is recognized in mainstream macroeconomics that certain intergenerational transfers may be welfare enhancing for the population as a whole and require a certain amount of deficit financing. However, sustained deficits and rising debt levels are predicted to lead to rising interest rates that will in turn crowd out more productive private investment, thereby lowering the growth potential of the economy over the long run.
More recently, however, even orthodox macroeconomists have started to question whether deficits are so bad after all. MIT professor and former Chief Economist of the IMF, Olivier Blanchard, delivered his presidential address to the American Economic Association this past January laying out a detailed argument for why public deficits may not be so bad after all. The crux of his argument is that interest rates have been persistently low, and importantly lower than the nominal growth rate of the economy. Indeed, as we have pointed out in prior posts, yields on 10-year Treasuries have generally been below the economy’s growth rate for much of history, excluding the 1980s and early 1990s (Figure 2). Blanchard notes that if debt can be rolled over and the interest can be paid out of economic growth then there is no future fiscal cost to a current deficit. Blanchard acknowledges that even with low interest rates there is a potential welfare cost to public borrowing as it reduces the capital available for private borrowing and investment. However, he notes that the welfare cost depends on the relative returns to private and public investment, and that if the return on private capital isn’t that much higher than public investment the welfare cost may be fairly low. Blanchard also notes that while the cost of running a given deficit may be low when interest rates are below growth rates, there are risks from perpetual deficits and rising debt levels.
An Alternative School of Thought
Blanchard makes no mention in his treatise of a school of economic thought that has been gaining traction of late, but one that has long argued that the cost of public deficits and debts is much lower than commonly perceived. Modern Money Theory (MMT) puts government borrowing in an economy wide accounting framework. If the government borrows money, the person lending the money receives an asset in the form of a bond. The government controls how much money is circulating in the economy and proponents of MMT point out that government taxation and spending simply moves that money around.
Although MMT has been associated with progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders, many of its underpinnings are actually fairly orthodox. Proponents of MMT, like classical and Keynsian economists, believe that the economy’s growth potential is mainly an organic function of its people, capital, and natural resources. However, they believe that the government should set spending to achieve full employment regardless of the resulting deficit. MMT believes monetary policy should help finance deficits with quantitative easing in order to keep interest rates low so long as there is no inflation, which there shouldn’t be if the economy isn’t at full employment (MMT also assumes that interest rates are primarily driven by expectations of Fed policy and inflation, an assumption I will return to later). The theory has gained traction in the aftermath of the Great Recession when growth has been frustratingly low and interest rates and inflation remain low and stable.
The main difference between traditional macroeconomists and proponents of MMT is the institution responsible for maintaining full employment and price stability. For traditional macroeconomists that is the independent central bank who will do what is best for the economy free of political influence. Proponents of MMT argue that the central bank’s tools are limited, particularly in a low-growth aging economy, and the federal government has more powerful, direct means of influencing the economy through taxes, transfers, spending and public investment. Existing automatic stabilizers like unemployment insurance are exactly what MMT proponents have in mind as an appropriate cyclical role for fiscal policy, although they advocate for a much more aggressive fiscal stance including a federal jobs guaranty so that the economy never realizes a shortfall from full employment.
Markets and the Global Economy Will Determine How and When Deficits Matter
Perhaps the most important shortcoming of both MMT and orthodox macroeconomics is they lack a central role for global capital markets. Blanchard acknowledges the risk that there might be two equilibria, one in which debt rises but interest rates remain low and stable and another in which investors lose confidence and a country enters a debt-induced death spiral in which higher rates increase debt burdens and a country eventually defaults. This is not a theoretical concept. Argentina has experienced such a death spiral in recent years and loss of confidence in Greece’s ability to service its debt nearly brought the European Union to its knees twice in the past decade. Nonetheless, Blanchard’s recent sanguine view on debt and proponents of MMT take the value and stability of the currency as given and look at the economy mostly from a closed, domestic standpoint.
Figure 3 shows that the US is reliant on foreign investors to fund the deficit. Foreign entities held a peak of 64% of marketable Treasury outstanding as of 2008, but that has fallen to 42% in 2018. The Fed has indeed stepped in and effectively helped finance increased federal borrowing at a lower cost in the aftermath of the Great Recession, although they are now net sellers of federal debt.
There was concern at the beginning of last year that the deficits initiated with the recent tax cuts would lead interest rates to rise in order to induce investors to fund the additional borrowing, and interest rates on 10-year Treasuries have indeed risen from closer to 2% in recent years to just below 3% over the past year. However, domestic institutional investors and households have stepped in to finance the borrowing at these higher rates, the value of the dollar is strong and stable, and the economy continues to hum along for now. Importantly, inflation has also remained low and stable suggesting we are not presently at risk of stretching resource utilization and overheating the economy. The conclusion that higher deficits may come at a relatively low cost seems to hold for now.
A potentially worrying perspective blending economics with political economy comes from Pierre Yared at Columbia University. Yared points out that economic theory can’t really explain the trend across advanced economies towards ever rising debt to GDP ratios, particularly as these rising debt burdens are occurring outside wars and recessions. He turns to political economy and suggests that aging populations give rise to powerful older voting blocks who value their current well-being over that of future generations. If we again bring in the capital markets perspective, we can see that older populations can lead to both demands for higher deficit spending and more conservative portfolio allocation toward bonds and greater financial repression from the regulation and the central bank. The equilibrium might be high deficits and low interest rates in contrast to predictions of traditional economic models. Japan is a good case in point, and a country where the lines between fiscal and monetary policy have blurred over time along the lines suggested by MMT.
Yared also documents a trend towards rising political polarization in advanced economies, which in turn comes with rising turnover between different parties with dramatically different priorities such that each party seeks to put their agenda in place quickly and tie the hands of future governments before the political pendulum swings away from them. These parties are behaving rationally and seeking to fulfill the demands of their voters, but the result is ever rising debt.
For MMT proponents rising debt levels in advanced economies probably aren’t seen as a problem given that inflation is also low, and it is understandable that progressive politicians want their turn in taking advantage of the current environment of low interest rates to implement their agenda. But Yared’s perspective highlights the shortcomings of relying on fiscal authorities to do the responsible thing if inflation or interest rates were to begin to rise. Given the current institutional arrangements in the US, the Federal Reserve would be forced into either making the difficult decision the Volker Fed made in the 1980s in the case of high inflation, or engaging in Quantitative Easing again in the case of higher interest rates (much as the Bank of Japan has had to do). The higher debt to GDP rises, the greater the likelihood of Blanchard’s bad equilibrium and a fiscal crisis if debt burdens cross a threshold that investors see as unsustainable. We have already experienced financial crises in Europe in recent years and recent Italian political developments suggests a possibility we may see another crisis at some point. The US enjoys a strong position as the world’s reserve currency, a status that is unlikely to be upended any time soon by China or cryptocurrencies. Nonetheless, in contrast to Japan, the US is more subject to the mood of foreign investors and global capital markets, and the current status quo can’t be presumed to hold forever regardless of debt levels. Deficits and debt may not matter until they matter a lot.
A leader of MMT is Stephanie Kelton, a professor at State University of New York at Stony Brook who wrote an op=ed in the New York Times titled “How We Think About the Deficit Is Mostly Wrong” in 2017.
A good comparison of traditional macroeconomics and MMT was written by Arjun Jayadev and J.W. Mason titled “Mainstream Macroeconomics and Modern Monetary Theory: What Really Divides Them?” in 2018. | https://rutgersrealestate.com/blog-re/are-the-markets-getting-comfortable-with-rising-deficits/ |
It went from B + to B
Standard & Poor's said that the failure of the economic program was "a decline in Argentina's debt profile and inflation dynamics"
International agency Standard & Poor's on Monday reduced its Argentine credit rating in foreign and local currency to B from B + and warned that it could decrease if the government continues the adjustment and if "unexpected negative political events" further undermine investor confidence.
With regard to forecasts, the company calculated that GDP would reach 2.5% this year and close to 1% in 2019, but in 2020 it will be small.
"It is possible that inflation will be around 44% and in 2019 it will gradually decline to 25%," the rating agency predicted.
He claimed that the government's net debt this year exceeded 80% of GDP, from 50% in 2017.
"The deterioration in the Argentine debt profile, the path to economic growth and the dynamics of inflation have taken place after the failure of implementing the disputed economic adjustment program, "said the company.
In his report, he explained: "We cut Argentina's long-term government ratings in foreign currency and local currency into B from B + and approved our short-term foreign currency and local currency rating B."
"The outlook for long-term ratings is robust, based on our expectations that the government will implement fiscal, monetary and other measures to stabilize the economy in the next 18 months," he said.
S & P Caution
"Over the next 12 months, we might again downgrade our ratings if unforeseen negative political events or the irregular implementation of government economic austerity programs undermine confidence of investors, worsening government access to market financing and potentially pushing a currency that could affect inflation dynamics, "the company warned.
Despite the warnings, the evaluation agency has ordered it "lower financing needs, a combination of lower inflation and interest rates, and the main expectations of the continuation of economic policy after the October 2019 national electionscould pave the way for economic recovery and limit external vulnerability. "
"Understanding that the sovereign commitment to the economic adjustment program could be damaged after the 2019 national elections would create a similar unfavorable market dynamics that could lead to high interest rates over a long period of time," he said.
He pointed out that "the ensuing deterioration in the public finance profile and its availability to liquidity in order to refinance the maturity of debt could lead to a lower rating."
"We could raise ratings in the next two years, if successful implementation of the policy will lead to a decline in inflation faster than expected, to ensure greater exchange rate stability and a downturn that is not as deep as expected, "he noted.
He believed that "the expectations of the continuity of economic policy after the 2019 election could change the recent deterioration of Argentina's fiscal, monetary and debt profile and improve its long-term GDP growth prospects."
Another thumb
Last week, Fitch Ratings gave a negative picture of the country's financial situation. On Wednesday, the Argentine government debt rating turned downward to "negative", due to the country's "intense economic instability".
According to the agency, "intense macroeconomic imbalances in 2018, characterized by a high drop in peso value, have significantly reduced growth opportunities in the short term."
In May last year, Fitch reduced Argentina's debt from "positive" to "stable". The company also estimated Argentina's economic activity to drop by 2.7% this year and 1.7% in 2019.
It also anticipated an increase in inflation in 2018 by 47% and in 2019 – by 27.5%. Just two months ago in September, it was expected that this fall will be 2.5% of GDP, and inflation will be 40%.
However, the agency believed that the government could achieve the goal of reducing the primary fiscal deficit. | https://braqq.com/chile/the-qualifier-lowered-argentinas-badge-and-issued-strong-warnings/ |
Is This Time Different?
Thinking “this time is different” is a pitfall that wary investors and prudent policymakers are well-advised to avoid. And for good reason. As economists Carmen Reinhart and Ken Rogoff have argued, the history of sovereign debt is filled with examples of otherwise savvy investors falling into that trap only to realize that past debt defaults are indeed a good guide to future losses. In recognition of such risks, a well-established meme in investing newsletters and economic commentary explains why “this time usually isn’t different.”
At the same time, there seems to be an inexhaustible supply of dire warnings of economic and financial Armageddon. Perhaps no better example of this genre was the claim that the extraordinary monetary and fiscal responses to the global financial crisis, now more than a decade ago, would lead to massive inflation and the debasement of the U.S. dollar. Whether these dire predictions reflected faulty reasoning, political opportunism, or the work of financial charlatans can be debated.
But what is beyond dispute is the fact that such claims were thoroughly debunked. Not only was the dollar not debased by the Fed’s actions, it appreciated against other currencies as global investors sought refuge in the safe haven of dollar-denominated assets. Moreover, prices did not rise at rates reminiscent of the great German hyperinflation of the 1920s, as some had warned; in fact, the Fed spent much of the past decade trying – but failing – to get inflation up to its own 2 percent target.
Regrettably, the consequences of such spectacular forecasting failures were not limited to the financial losses of those who invested based on these predictions. A decade ago, auguries of fiscal fiascos and monetary mayhem were mobilized to justify political opposition to fiscal stimulus. The ensuing application of sequestration to government expenditures introduced additional resistance to an economy already straining against financial headwinds. The Great Recession was the unfortunate result.
Recession Narratives in Politics
As the Biden administration moves forward with an ambitious fiscal package to address the economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it should therefore brace itself for possible claims that “this time is different;” that this time around higher deficits and truly extraordinary monetary responses really will lead to economic and financial mayhem. The danger is that political opportunists will use such warnings to their political advantage. Hopefully, these individuals will heed President Biden’s call for national unity, embrace bipartisanship, and eschew strategic divisiveness. But hope is not a plan. And with the 2024 mid-term elections now less than two years away, political expediency could lead some in Congress to issue dire warnings of a looming fiscal reckoning, seeking to limit effective responses to economic dislocation.
Such warnings, should they come, would likely be clothed in the language of prudence, fiscal rectitude, and concern for future generations. While this assessment may seem excessively jaded, if not positively cynical, it is what history suggests will be. After all, just three years ago, many in Congress were willing to sacrifice fiscal probity on the altar of tax cuts predominantly weighted to the wealthy. If “prudence” was their shibboleth then, when the economy was in full expansion, they should have been arguing for modest tax increases to create the fiscal space that would be needed to deal with the adverse economic shocks that inevitably come. They did not. And the promised burst in investment that the tax cuts would unleash, on which they justified their votes without firm foundations in either theory or evidence, did not materialize.
But could warnings of fiscal cliffs and inflationary impulses be warranted? Could this time be different?
Shock Absorbers and Other Sources of Stability
Several factors suggest the answer to these questions is “no.” The global economy has entered a period of sustained low “real” interest rates, defined as observed market (nominal) rates minus the rate of expected inflation. In fact, a growing share of global bond markets yields negative nominal rates.
This anomaly is largely explained by the fact that the world is awash in savings, reflecting aging populations and the accumulation of savings to support retirement. It is unclear whether the “secular stagnation” stemming from the resulting shortfall in demand, as investment fails to keep up with savings, is a long-term phenomenon or merely a temporary pause. In any event, with interest rates at historically low levels, the cost of servicing debt has fallen even as the stock of debt has increased. That fact is unlikely to change in the near term.
Similarly, extraordinary monetary responses of central banks around the globe, led by the Fed, quelled a panic-induced “dash for cash” that was triggered in March 2020 when markets recognized the devastating consequences of the pandemic. That response was largely concentrated in investment funds. But had central banks not provided the liquidity needed to prevent a truly frightening fire sale of assets, that panic might have had spilled over to other sectors of the financial system.
In contrast to the Great Recession of 2008-2009, the banking system in the United States and other advanced economies has been a source of stability. Banks acted as shock absorbers, not the source and major transmitters of shocks to the economy. But if the Fed had been proscribed from rapidly expanding its balance sheet, as some in Congress had proposed in the wake of the last crisis, it is quite likely that the outlook today would be far worse. In short, it would have been a policy error on the scale of the Fed’s failure to provide banks liquidity in days following the 1929 stock market crash.
Rising National Debt and Other Sources of Instability
This is not to say that there are no risks associated with extraordinary policy responses already in train or proposed. For example, while the Fed’s many lending facilities have flooded financial markets with liquidity that has boosted asset prices and calmed markets, by encouraging risk-taking in the search for yield, this response could undermine financial stability going forward. Relying on monetary policy alone to restore full employment could entail increased threats to financial stability.
Similarly, there are risks associated with unbounded fiscal deficits, notwithstanding the fact that the prospect of a fiscal crisis is low – at least for the immediate future. While debt-servicing costs have declined even as debt loads have increased, an increase in interest rates that reflect a jump in expected inflation would lead to higher debt-servicing costs, possibility eroding financial market confidence and further raising rates. At the same time, as outstanding debt increases, market willingness to hold additional debt may decline, particularly if an increasing share of the debt is held abroad. In that case, foreign investors may fear a weakening resolve on the part of the authorities to anchor prices and begin to price-in possible dollar depreciation from inflation; if inflation is expected to increase appreciably, risk premiums would rise which would boost nominal interest rates even higher.
It seems clear, therefore, that a “this time is different” scenario hinges on the outlook for inflation. How individuals view the stance of policies going forward and whether they are judged to be temporary or permanent may hold the key.
Inflation Signals
In the post-financial crisis period, inflation was undoubtedly held in check by a large persistent output gap – the difference between the capacity of the economy at full employment and the actual level of output. Obviously, there were several factors at play here, including changes in the transmission mechanism or the channels through which monetary policy affects output and prices. And, clearly, a large part of that output gap is explained by politically motivated fiscal sequestration. But inflation expectations were likely suppressed by the perception that both monetary and fiscal policy responses were temporary – that the expansionary responses today would be reversed by tightening tomorrow.
Such expectations were obvious with respect to fiscal policy because of sequestration. The same could be said, however, about monetary policy, especially if markets viewed inflation-targeting central bankers as “opportunistic dis-inflationists,” who were prepared to lock-in lower inflation generated by the crisis. If future monetary policy was expected to reverse current responses, inflation expectations would be less likely to adjust. In fact, as noted above, the actual experience post-2008 was that inflation consistently undershot the Fed’s target.
As Paul Krugman facetiously argued at the time, perhaps central bankers did not “commit to being irresponsible.” In other words, that their desire to be viewed as responsible and prudent led them to be too timid in their responses, which ultimately proved insufficient to overcome the headwinds in the economy and the effects of sequestration.
Fast forward to today. We have seen truly extraordinary monetary and fiscal policy responses in response to the pandemic, with more proposed. And we have also seen a convergence of forces that could see these responses sustained over a longer time horizon. For example, with a much higher debt-to-GDP ratio, monetary policy may need to be more accommodative to facilitate the rollover of outstanding debt and to ensure markets can absorb new issues. Moreover, there is now a growing consensus based on both efficacy and risk management that fiscal policy must be used more aggressively to restore full employment.
These factors could animate a shift in the way that individuals and markets view policy going forward. Added to a quick rebound in activity and wave of optimism once vaccines are widely distributed and the risk of COVID-19 declines (a “roaring 20s” effect), and a supply response that may possibly be muted by the scarring effects from the pandemic, these effects could lead to a discrete upward shift in inflation. Such effects underpin the warning about the Biden American Rescue Plan coming from thoughtful observers, such as Larry Summers and others, who contend the plan is too big, with too much fiscal stimulus given the size of the output gap.
So, “Is this time different?”
The answer could be “perhaps,” but the wary investor or prudent policymaker should not count on it. And such a scenario, if it materializes, would not entail the monetary debauchery and inevitable fiscal cliffs that politically motivated doomsayers can be counted on to predict. Rather than an unexpected increase in inflation on the order of the 1970s, much less hyperinflation, a modest, temporary increase above the Fed’s 2 percent target is more likely.
Such an increase, even if sustained for only a brief period, would nevertheless be significant. Markets are currently pricing-in an increase in inflation, but only a return to roughly the Fed’s 2 percent target. (This likely reflects the Fed’s credibility and commitment to price stability.) Higher inflation would thus represent a sizable shock.
But the costs of potential adverse consequences from this shock must be weighed against benefits. If the maturity of existing debt is extended, locking in interest rates at their current extraordinarily low rates, higher debt burdens would be steadily reduced over time as the economy grows. Together with higher taxes on the wealthiest individuals, many of whom pay less tax than middle-income workers, such measures would bring debt loads down and promote sound public finances.
From the perspective of monetary policy, meanwhile, higher inflation that raises interest rates from their current floors would not necessarily be unwelcome as it would reduce the risks associated with conducting monetary policy at the zero-lower bound. A period of higher inflation would also be consistent with the Fed’s new Flexible Average Inflation Targeting policy framework, which reinforces the notion that the 2% target is an average, not an upper bound. It follows that if inflation is to average 2% following a period of below-target, it must rise above that level for some period. But that fact does not imply that the Fed is indifferent to inflation rising too high, too fast. Evidence of accelerating inflation, which could become embedded in expectations of steadily rising prices, would undoubtedly elicit monetary tightening. And while such a scenario would present the Fed with the difficult challenge of bringing inflation down without causing a recession, it is a challenge that the Fed would welcome.
Most important, however, the aggressive use of monetary and fiscal policies to restore full employment would begin to address the corrosive malaise that is eroding the bonds between Americans and which, if not treated, will impair long-term growth and prosperity. In this respect, reflecting on the sad record of the past decade, we can only hope that this time truly is different. | https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/time-different |
The purpose of this paper is to offer a brief introduction to a new approach to the burgeoning European debt crisis: tax-backed bonds.
Tax-backed bonds would be similar to standard government bonds except that they would contain a clause stating that if the country issuing the bonds does not make its payments—and only if the country does not make its payments—the tax-backed bonds would be acceptable to make tax payments within the country in question, and would continue to earn interest.
Background
The key problem facing Europe is the sovereign debt crisis. The crisis has caused enormous damage to Europe, politically, socially, and economically. As recent polls have shown, confidence in the European Union and its institutions is at its lowest point, with many citizens questioning the direction that the European project is taking.
The key issues raised on both sides of the debate are those of sovereignty and responsibility. The populations of the wealthier European countries insist that distressed peripheral countries must take responsibility for their debt burdens and stop relying on bailouts from Europe as a whole.
Meanwhile, citizens in the periphery are growing distressed at the loss of fiscal sovereignty that has resulted from the bailouts and subsequent austerity measures. In more extreme cases, this has manifested itself in calls for countries to exit the single currency, an action that would be catastrophic for the European project as a whole.
The ideal solution would satisfy both parties. Such a solution would allow individual countries to maintain their sovereignty and return to the markets so that they no longer have to rely on the rest of Europe for bailouts. At the same time, we must also ensure that the single currency remains intact. In what follows, we introduce a financial innovation that could provide such a solution.
Cause of the Present Crisis
The root of the debt crisis can be found in the fact that investors are currently concerned about the government debt of countries in the eurozone periphery. They are concerned that these countries might default and that investors would consequently lose their money. This causes investors to demand a higher “yield,” or interest rate, on such government bonds. But when interest rates rise too high, the country in question suffers under the burden of hefty interest payments, which may push that country into a situation in which it is unable to repay its creditors. In such a case, the debtor country may then ask its neighbors for a bailout, either through a fund set up especially for such a bailout or by requesting that the central bank buy up some of their debt in the secondary market. Both of the above scenarios have already occurred and have caused tension and strife across Europe.
The inherent instability can be expressed as a series of questions:
*Will the euro-12 economy slow sufficiently to automatically increase national deficits via the reduction of tax revenues and increased transfer payments?
*Will such a slowdown cause the markets to dictate terms of credit to the credit sensitive national governments, and force procyclical responses?
*Will the slowdown lead to local bank failures?
*Will the markets allow national governments with heavy debt burdens, falling revenues and rising expenses the finance required to support troubled banks?
*Will depositors lose confidence in the banking system and test the new euro-12 support mechanism?
*Can the entire payments system avoid a shutdown when faced with this need to reorganize?
Conclusion
Water freezes at 0 degrees C. But very still water can be cooled well below that and stay liquid until a catalyst, such as a sudden breeze, causes it to instantly solidify. Likewise, the conditions for a national liquidity crisis that will shut down the euro-12’s monetary system are firmly in place. All that is required is an economic slowdown that threatens either tax revenues or the capital of the banking system.
A prosperous financial future belongs to those who respect the dynamics and are prepared for the day of reckoning. History and logic dictate that the credit sensitive euro-12 national governments and banking system will be tested. The market’s arrows will inflict an initially narrow liquidity crisis, which will immediately infect and rapidly arrest the entire euro payments system. Only the inevitable, currently prohibited, direct intervention of the ECB will be capable of performing the resurrection, and from the ashes of that fallen flaming star an immortal sovereign currency will no doubt emerge. | http://collectedworksofwarrenmosler.com/policy-notes/tax-backed-bonds.html |
It is no time for faster cuts to the US budget deficit
We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest US economic recovery news every morning.
Things are looking up. Led by rising house prices, the US recovery is likely to accelerate this year. Budget deficit projections have declined, too. And although the European economy is stagnant, there is some evidence that stimulative policies are gaining traction in Japan. So this is an opportune moment to reconsider the principles that should guide fiscal policy.
A prudent government must balance spending and revenue collection in a way that assures the sustainability of its debts. To do otherwise would lead to instability and slow growth – and court default and catastrophe. Deficit financing of government activity is not a sustainable alternative to increasing revenues or to cutting public spending. It is only a means of deferring payment. Just as a household or business cannot indefinitely increase its debt relative to its income without becoming insolvent, the same holds for a government. There is no permanent option of public spending without raising commensurate revenue.
So it follows that there is, in normal times, no advantage to running large deficits. Public borrowing does not reduce ultimate tax burdens, and it tends to crowd-out borrowing by the private sector, which could otherwise finance growth. It encourages international borrowing, which means an excess of imports over exports. The private sector may also be discouraged from future spending if it fears that tax rises to pay for the deficit are on the horizon. That is why it is usually the job of the US Federal Reserve to manage demand in the economy by adjusting base interest rates, rather than the job of those in charge of deficit financing.
It was essentially this logic that drove the measures taken in the late 1980s and in the 1990s to balance the budget, usually on a bipartisan basis. As a consequence of policy steps taken in 1990, 1993 and 1997 it was possible – by the year 2000 – for the US Treasury to use surplus revenues to retire federal debt. Deficit reduction, the associated fall in capital costs and an increase in investment was an important contributor to the nation’s very strong economic performance during the 1990s when productivity growth soared and unemployment fell below 4 per cent. We enjoyed a virtuous circle in which reduced deficits led to lower capital costs and increased confidence, which led to more rapid growth, which further reduced deficits, reinforcing the cycle.
But responsible governing also requires recognising that when economies are weak and monetary policy is constrained, fiscal policy can have a large impact on economic activity. This can, in turn, improve revenue collections and reduce expenditure on social welfare. In such circumstances, attempts at rapid reductions in the budget deficit may backfire. That is where we have been in recent years. Circumstances have been anything but normal.
High unemployment, few job vacancies and deflationary pressures all indicate that output is not constrained by what the economy is capable of producing but by the level of demand. With base interest rates at or close to zero, the efficacy of monetary policy has been circumscribed. Under circumstances such as these, there is every reason to expect that changes in deficit policies will have direct impacts on employment and output in a way that is not normally the case. Borrowing to support spending – either by the government or the private sector – raises demand and therefore increases output and employment above the level they otherwise reach. Unlike in normal times, these gains will not be offset by reduced private spending because there is excess capacity in the economy. These so-called “multiplier effects” operate far more strongly during financial crisis economic downturns than in other times.
In a recent paper, J. Bradford DeLong, an economics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and I estimated that contractionary fiscal policies might actually increase debt burdens because of their negative economic impacts. These estimates remain the subject of debate among other economists and policy should be driven by more than one study. But what follows from this analysis of the impact of fiscal policy?
First, the US and other countries will not benefit from further fiscal contraction directed at rapid deficit reduction. Not only will output and jobs suffer. A weaker economy means that our children may inherit an economy with more debt and less capacity to bear the burden it imposes. Already premature deficit reduction has taken a toll on economic performance in the UK and in several eurozone countries.
Second, while continued deficits are a necessary economic expedient, they are not a viable permanent strategy and measures that reduce future deficits can increase confidence. This could involve commitments to reduce spending or raise revenues. But there is an even better way. Pulling forward necessary future expenditures such as those to replenish military supplies, repair infrastructure, or rehabilitate government facilities both reduces future budget burdens and increases demand today.
This would be the right way to proceed – but getting there will require moving beyond political sloganeering for or against austerity, and focusing on what measures best support sustained economic growth. | https://www.ft.com/content/13ce15ac-c878-11e2-8cb7-00144feab7de?ftcamp=published_links%2Frss%2Fcomment%2Ffeed%2F%2Fproduct |
The European Commission — the EU's executive arm — sent its congratulations to Athens Monday as the government ended years of financial assistance. But there was an important footnote to the message: stick to responsible policies.
"Today we celebrate the end of a very long and difficult journey and I would like to commend the Greek people on their perseverance and resourcefulness," European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told CNBC via email.
"What matters now is to build on this achievement by sticking to sound fiscal and economic policies. This is the way to strengthen confidence in the Greek economy, reap the fruits of reforms, support job creation and attract more investment," Dombrovskis added.
Greece concluded its third consecutive financial rescue on Monday, putting an end to eight years of austerity measures and financial disbursements from Europe. The current Greek government, led by the leftist Syriza party, came to power in 2015. Prior to signing a new bailout with the European authorities — the third in the wake of the euro zone sovereign debt crisis — Syriza vowed to end austerity and to receive debt forgiveness from its creditors.
But three years down the line, Syriza is only celebrating the end of the bailout program because it implemented hundreds of austerity measures that the European authorities demanded in exchange for additional funding.
George Papaconstantinou, former finance minister of Greece, told CNBC's "Street Signs" Monday: "I am afraid the answer is not very encouraging yet. If you look at the spreads in the 10-year government bond today, it is not much better when Greece lost access to markets in April 2010."
He added that the next catalyst for a crisis in Greece is if the current government, or the one after, goes back on the economic commitments.
Some analysts have argued that now that Greece is back standing on its own feet, there are risks that the government will approve more populist measures, including raising salaries and pensions. This risk could become more prominent ahead of a general election next year and with the opposition party, New Democracy, currently ahead in the opinion polls.
"Greece has turned around its economy, which is a major achievement. Now it has to continue to work to put its debt trajectory on the downward path," Dombrovskis told CNBC.
Greece's public debt stands at about 180 percent of gross domestic product. In eight years of bailout programs, Greece has received 241.6 billion euros ($281.92 billion).
"This (approach) will lead to a positive change in the way markets perceive Greece and, correspondingly, reduce debt servicing costs. In this regard, staying the course of sound fiscal and economic policies will be key," Dombrovskis said.
The yield on the 10-year Greek sovereign bond has been quite sensitive to domestic events this year, but more so to external issues such as the Italian elections. It was trading at about 4.33 percent at around 8 a.m. London time on Monday — mostly unchanged to the bailout news as market players had already priced in the end of the program.
In June, Athens obtained some relief on its debt repayments, which included a 10-year extension in maturities related to its second bailout program, as well as a 10-year deferral on interest payments.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said at the time that thanks to this set of measures, Greek debt repayments are not a problem in the medium term. But, in the long run the IMF has doubts about the sustainability of Greece's debt.
Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe," Rolf Strauch, chief European economist at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) — the largest lender to Greece, said the overall direction of the program was right, but it takes a while to see the economic benefits.
He added that Greece is currently enjoying a "reasonable territory" when it comes to financial markets, but "it is up to the Greek authorities to convince markets." | https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/20/-europe-has-a-message-for-greece-as-it-ends-its-bailouts.html?__source=fincont&par=fincont |
Some economists argue ‘austerity’ is necessary to reduce budget deficits, and cutting government spending is compatible with improving the long-term economic performance of the economy. What about the theory that cuts will lead to greater confidence if only we lose our fear of the cuts and really go for it? Austerity: Good or Bad? There will never be a better time. That's the tipping point, according to a study by the World Bank. You don’t get to eat what you want, temptation is everywhere, diet and exercise programs have diminishing marginal returns, and it’s difficult. Tempering the Great Depression. Why is austerity in a depressed economy a bad idea? b) Workers /investors in the private sector who supply the public sector Uncontrolled increases in a country’s public debt tend to increase financial instability within the country and can, if left unchecked, cause a national or even regional recession. Mechanism naturally exist in e) . Spending, in contrast, leads to consumption, and consumption leads to debt, especially when the government is involved. Austerity measures (political-economics) are government actions that try to reduce government budget deficits.They do this by spending less, increasing tax, both, or some other clever ways. The longer the delay, the fatter the debt pile gets, and many more problems will emerge. (MORE: Why the Argument for Austerity Took a Big Hit Recently). The leadership by Franklin D Roosevelt proved effective in 1941. The austerity measures were imposed to eliminate budget deficits that ballooned to unsustainable levels in the aftermath of the financial crisis. The only remaining question is why it look so long for those in power to wake up. But this season it has taken a new turn. Bad austerity mixes in spending cuts. Examples of ii) Great depression –Japan 1990 –Current Economic problems USA UK being 2 examples. In the economy as a … It’s been a staple of American politics since the Republic’s inception. Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Forum is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. This book does a really good job at explaining how the bad ideas of austerity proliferated and also it does a wonderful job at explaining why austerity and an obsessive focus on public debt is foolish (though on the latter count, I wish he had gotten more into MMT or other money theories that really talk about that). He stated that there were two alternatives, one bad and one worse, and he preferred the bad alternative. The mental state of the Russia people was bad prior to the fall and just got worst afterward. Here are the top 5 reasons Greece continues to fall and why austerity worsened its economic situation: 1. a) Public Sector Workers If that is so, it means a reduction in government spending that is not an austerity measure per se, but an attempt to change the economic structure. It will always recede to below normal. (MORE: The Promise of More: Why We Should Raise the Minimum Wage). These resulted in the dismantling of the intellectual and institutional structure on which the left relied to achieve its goals. General election: Do the Tories really hate the poor? https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/.../austerity-good-or-bad In fact it was an admission of its failure. 4) Demonstrate strong leadership. Thankfully, the Bank of England has recognised in its November Monetary Policy Report that higher government spending is now boosting growth. Recession must follow. The last day of the parliamentary term is usually an occasion for the government to get a whole bunch of bad news out of the way all at once. Because an economy is not like a household, whose income and spending are separate things. Creative leader ship is required to break down attitudes and methodologies to make this happen. It occurs when the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio is greater than 77%. Austerity measures refer to government policies that aim to reduce public sector debt. Austerity is defined as a set of economic policies a government undertakes to control public sector debt. Chapter 1. Cutting in such a world turbocharges the already bad shrinkage problem. If this was substantially reduced –in the short term the money saved could just go to the investors. All rights reserved. Characteristics of a large scale Boom –Bust cycle. And before anyone throws up their hands and says “Keynesian claptrap,” there is nothing necessarily Keynesian in what I am about to say. Learn more. © 2020 TIME USA, LLC. Austerity by its very nature is controversial and stirs a good share of brouhaha. It’s about money all right, but not in the way you think. Budget cuts reduce spending by definition. Austerity, it argues, is seriously bad for your health. What we see in Greece therefore is simply the most egregious example of a secular trend toward overspending. 2) Borrow money and give to b) in exchange for the completion of specific infrastructure projects. Why are bad ideas so popular? This is especially true if the state government cuts personnel (wages and salaries), which seems an inevitable effect of cuts. Wall Street stocks plummeted on Monday as skittish investors, already concerned about the economy, struggled to work out the implications of an unprecedented downgrade of the US government’s credit rating. Unemployment has been in double figures for the past 4 years. As protesters take to the streets in Europe to oppose government spending cuts, proponents of austerity in the United States and Europe claim that immediate moves to reduce government deficits are the way to renewed economic growth. Austerity measures in Greece, Spain and Ireland have not stopped rising bond yields. The first is that for people to save, they need to have income from which to save. But that hasn’t stopped individual U.S. states from pursuing austerity policies of their own. A new book ‘The Body Economic: Why Austerity Kills’ by leading political economist David Stuckler and physician Sanjay Basu reveals groundbreaking research that argues austerity is seriously bad for our health. The results are clear: Austerity really is bad for us. Given then that cuts lead to more debt and less confidence, does it follow that we can have whatever level of debt and deficit we like with no consequences? There is no evidence that cutting spending creates increased confidence. There is however a rather big problem with this line of thinking. Congress, the fiscal arm of the government, is engaged in asymmetric siege warfare. But that hasn’t stopped individual U.S. states from pursuing austerity policies of their own. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Options The management and technicians are in a) but the work is carried out by b). It goes like this: when the government cuts spending in the middle of a recession, despite the economy falling about our ears with jobs and income evaporating around us, we will know that years ahead the state will be smaller and so we will pay less taxes relative to our lifetime income. The lessons from a failed decade of austerity show why it has finally fallen out of favour. – from £6.99. It is unfortunate it is happening at a time when there is otherwise a good case for fiscal stimulation. EU Bond yields rise in the aftermath of higher borrowing levels 2010. But the trouble with austerity is that it is contractionary—that is, austerity tends to slow down the economy. One of the paradoxes […] Austerity suggests that you can have your cake and eat it too, but only when you cut the cake first. However, Keynesian economists argue that, in a recession, austerity can be ‘self-defeating’ with spending cuts causing a fall in aggregate demand, leading to lower economic growth. ii) Asset price inflation only That’s why austerity is a false economy. 1) Create ways for e) to grow. Because the logic of his argument was that spending strengthens the economy and boosts the public sector finances – the very opposite of austerity. – A visual guide Austerity by its very nature is controversial and stirs a good share of brouhaha. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7522163d62adee6d29e23dc9b06f61a" );document.getElementById("d1ac24240d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Cracking Economics Austerity measures are often used by governments that find it difficult to borrow or meet their existing obligations to pay back loans. It is an idea that has repeatedly failed. The measures are meant to reduce the budget deficit by bringing government revenue closer to spending. The problems of the Eurozone is not just about deficits; it is about a lack of competitiveness and misaligned exchange rates. The micro effect of de –leveraging debt –consumer –corporate –Government will prolong the recession —i.e create Macro negative effects. Higher bond yields and interest rates on other bonds can reduce private investment. Sadly, as Europe is proving all too well, in the world that we actually inhabit there is no “someone else” to pass the costs on to as we all try to shrink to grow. David Stuckler explains: "Austerity is having a devastating effect on health in … In the. (They also destroyed the basis of Harold Macmillan’s Tory paternalism.) In this morality play, saving leads to investment, and investment leads to growth. And this is where a Keynesian idea is appropriate: that the time for austerity is the boom, not the slump. But let me start from the beginning once more and come at it from a different angle—or, really, three different angles. Austerity, when everyone tries it at once, makes the debt bigger, not smaller. Market forces ensures this. To illustrate this consider the taxation system: Unemployment will be the principle negative feature. e) Workers /investors in the private sector that do not supply the public sector. This leads to lower tax revenue and can offset the improvement from spending cuts. Austerity has failed. Mark Blyth is a professor of International Political Economy at Brown University and the author of Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea. Sadly, as Europe is proving all too well, in the world that we actually inhabit there is no “someone else” to pass the costs on to as we all try to shrink to grow. Countries use austerity measures to avoid a sovereign debt crisis. Both agree however that cuts are absolutely necessary; the only question is the timing and magnitude involved. In the medium /long term it will result in lower prices . If the U.S., the other big one, decides to join in this “austerity binge” the result will be more, not less, U.S. debt and an even bigger growth crisis for the global economy. The resulting recession can be limited with a well designed monetary response. Why is austerity a bad idea right now? This is why austerity is a dangerous idea: it doesn’t work in the world that we actually inhabit. Market forces will stop it. Because an economy is not like a household, whose income and spending are separate things. Austerity, according to some of its promoters, is supposed to improve morale. Austerity implies a cut in government spending during a period of weak economic growth. On April 3, 2015 August 4, 2016 By Shrey Srivastava One of the big issues globally, and more specifically in the UK before the General Election in 34 days time, is austerity. In 2011, Greece had a current account deficit of 10% of GDP – It is fundamentally uncompetitive. Why does big business love austerity and hate Keynesian economics? It didn’t have to be so painful. "Housing prices rose faster over the … The current debt and deficit panic is nothing new. Why austerity is ending. QUESTION: Martin, The ‘Austerity’ argument seems a bit confusing. (MORE: America’s Forgotten Economic Challenge). The public sector adds huge value to the U.K in general –that said no natural mechanism exists for efficiency. Below, Florian Schui argues that it is time for politicians to learn pragmatism from successful business leaders and ditch a policy that does not work. Budget cuts reduce spending by definition. In the present circumstances workers are being transferred from a) b) and e) to be non workers in c) Tax from declining numbers in e ) is reduced . The natural scramble for more income plus a response to preserve the status quo in terms of income tends to efficiency . Recipients of purchasing power(i.e.Tax). Bad austerity mixes in spending cuts. Alcohol? More borrowing can be employed to facilitate this and 2) . Betz F. (2016) Why ‘Austerity’ Failed in Greece: Testing the Validity of Macro-Economic Models. The E.U. Austerity, the policy of cutting state spending to solve debt and growth problems, sells itself to us through a strange combination of morality and seduction. There are 2 types of booms:- Germany, by contrast, has a current account surplus of 6% of GDP. This leads businesses and families to cut their consumption and investment, further lowering their spending. by. Click the OK button, to accept cookies on this website.
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Rating agency Fitch assigned Jordan's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating BB- with a stable outlook citing the country's track record of fiscal and economic reforms.
"Jordan has built up a track record of reforms that have substantially reduced the budget deficit and stabilised government debt to gross domestic product (GDP) after being hit by multiple shocks and a slowdown in economic growth since 2011," Fitch said.
The country's rating, three notches below investment grade, was driven by availability of domestic and external funding linked to the liquid bank sector, a growing public pension fund and funds from external investors, Fitch said. The sovereign's rating is constrained by high government debt, weak growth, large external financing needs and geopolitical risks.
Rising unemployment, escalating geopolitical friction and domestic opposition to IMF sponsored austerity programme measures that include fiscal consolidation are some of the immediate challenges that Jordan is facing. The kingdom is financially burdened by hosting 1.3 million Syrian refugees, spending $2.5 billion a year to support them. With no natural resources, Jordan imports more than 90 per cent of its energy needs and has historically financed its deficits through grants and soft loans.
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Jordan could see a positive rating action if it makes progress in fiscal consolidation that leads to sustained lower government debt, higher economic growth and reduced current account deficit, Fitch said.
Factors that may lead to a negative rating include rising external debt, deteriorating government debt and worsening domestic stability or geopolitical shocks that hit the economy, it said.
Fitch projects Jordan will reduce government debt gradually over the medium term, assuming it maintains fiscal discipline.
The agency forecasts that the central government budget deficit will narrow to 2.2 per cent of GDP this year, from 2.4 per cent in 2018, helped by a contentious income tax law that came into effect in January. The forecast is constrained by further increases in interest payments.
Fitch estimates an "almost balanced" budget in 2019.
Economic growth will improve but remain moderate at 2.13 per cent in 2019-2020, from 1.9 per cent last year, according to Fitch projections. Growth is limited by fiscal constraints and a slight improvement in trading and investment conditions within the region, it said.
Revenues from tourism have increased 13 per cent in 2018 and Fitch expects tourism to continue growing in 2019.
A high unemployment rate of 19.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year, with youth unemployment far exceeding that, presents an ongoing risk of social unrest, it said.
"Over the medium term there may be calls for further political and constitutional reforms that could disrupt economic policymaking," Fitch said.
Jordan's government is navigating a debt crisis and continuing austerity measures to comply with a $723 million (Dh2.6bn) IMF loan a year after nationwide protests over taxes brought down the previous government. | https://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/jordan-s-long-term-credit-rating-outlook-stable-fitch-says-1.874685 |
Dimitri B. Papadimitriou is a leading scholar and policy-maker, President of the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College in New York. Himself as well as the Levy Institute have invested during the last couple of years in the explanation of sovereign debt crisis in Eurozone and Greece, endeavoring to enrich the debate with policy proposals that could efficiently address austerity and put Europe back on track of development and growth. In the context of Bridging Dialogue Initiative, Dimitris Rapidis discussed with Dimitri B. Papadimitriou on ECB interest rates policy, deflation, Junkers’s fiscal stimulus plan, debt management and the Stability Pact, US economy, and the economic crisis in Greece.
1. Will ECB’s long-term financing operation (LTRO) and the policy for low interest rates help businesses have access to cheap credit?
This new form of quantitative easing, the LTRO, by the ECB along with the low or even negative interest rates aims at providing the stimulus to the banking sector, in most countries of the Eurozone, to increase and intensify lending. Given the very low inflation and even deflation is some countries including Greece, monetary stimulus is thought to be a prescription of economic stimulus. As it has been shown, however, with the experience of the US Fed’s quantitative easing, stimulating the real economy comes mostly with fiscal policy easing and not monetary policy. The benefits of monetary easing in the case of the US have been the run up of the stock market which has not led to increased in effective demand.
2. Why ECB plans to fight deflation?
Deflation is one of the worst economic phenomena that an economy can endure. It is more preferable to have inflation than deflation. The example of Japan’s lost decade with deflation and even low inflation proves the detrimental economic effects of such economic landscape. From this perspective, the ECB’s LTRO is a step in the right direction, if and only if, borrowing can occur. Profit expectations in the Eurozone, however, are low and thus the reluctance to increase investment and production. Furthermore, the private sector (both households and businesses) is still deleveraging from their high level of debt and thus limit consumption and investment expenditures. Fighting deflation by engineering inflation is the correct central bank strategy.
3. Is Junker’s plan for 300 billion euro in investments and job growth realistic?
Junker’s fiscal stimulus plan is too small, even, if it is to be approved which is doubtful. To deal with the Eurozone’s unemployed and first entrants in the labor force including the youth requires a larger stimulus. Furthermore, it is not only the employment deficit that is crucial. There is an infrastructure deficit that even in Germany alone, a country that strongly opposes any such stimulus programs, is over a trillion euros. So Junker’s plan is unrealistic on many fronts. Too small and untargeted to have a significant effect on job growth.
4. There is a growing number of member-states in the EU that face serious burdens in effectively dealing with sovereign debt management. How could global and national economic policies accommodate with this crucial issue?
The problem of member states sovereign debt can only be solved cooperatively which is unlikely to happen in the near future. The ECB has the capacity to buy a significant or even the entire debt of the eurozone and park it in its balance sheet. Government officials especially those in Germany have no idea how central banks’ balance sheets work. Germany’s economic rules are rules more appropriate to theology and rather than economics. With the exception of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s craziness to pay Romania’s debt by creating an economic disaster, no other sane government focused on this issue as much as Germany has. Since the ECB is unlikely to do the right thing, the important issue is how to grow GDP which in its turn will reduce the debt to GDP ratio that financial markets and their participants worry about. There are some countries in the Eurozone with unsustainable debt levels, as is the case of Greece which because they do not have their own sovereign currency have very limited options and will sooner or later need to have a significant write-down of debt. It will be the only way to engender a growth-directed path that can put them on the road to recovery.
5. The goals of the Stability Pact can be hardly reached. Considering that France and Italy, two of the major economies in Eurozone, face serious macroeconomic struggles, do you foresee any major revision in EU’s austerity policy?
The rules regarding deficit and debt limits of the stability and Growth Pact are arbitrary and as far as the debt limit of 60% percent of GDP is concerned only one or two member states have achieved and they do not include Germany. The deficit limit, even Germany in some years was not able to achieved and instead surpassed it. Given the stagnation that has gripped the Eurozone I doubt that the rule will be adhered to. The headwinds point to the direction of relaxation of austerity, Germany’s protestations notwithstanding. The strong unions in France, Italy and Spain will eventually force the respective governments to alter course. A formal revision of the Maastricht Treaty may not come anytime soon, but we will see many exceptions to the deficit rule especially if healthy growth continues to be an elusive goal while deflation becomes not a temporary phenomenon.
6. US economy ran with around 4% of growth in the third quarter of 2014. Is this a sign of recovery or there are still concerns over a slowdown?
The US is on the road to recovery, but problems still remain in the horizon. There are still too many unemployed individuals despite the lowering of the unemployment rate. But the most significant and crucial problem in the US is the very high inequality of income and wealth. Unless this issue is dealt with soon, the US economy will face serious challenges in the not too distant future including a renewed economic slowdown. Government policy to deal with this issue effectively, given the results of the mid-term elections and the Republican controlled Congress in both Houses, is unlikely. We will need to wait for a possible change in the tax system in 2016 with the Presidential elections. Another significant issue relating to unequal economic fortunes is the stagnation of real wages which urgently needs a policy of an expanded Earned income Tax Credit and higher minimum wage legislation.
7. What is your opinion on Greece’s economic crisis, the decisions of the Greek government and the role of troika?
Greece’s economic crisis has graduated to a catastrophe. The reduction in output, employment and incomes experienced by the Greek economy since the start of the recession is comparable to the impact of a major war, and worse in relative terms than the impact of the 1929 Great Depression of the US economy. Real GDP has fallen with a record of 23 consecutive quarters of negative growth which brought it back to 2001, wiping out all of the gains achieved in the 2000s. Obviously the troika imposed austerity and the compliant three governments since 2009 have followed inappropriate, and I would even daresay foolish policy of fiscal consolidation and internal devaluation that have proved to be ineffective. The irony is however that the government believes that this is the only road to follow. The recent turn of positive real GDP growth is cosmetic and more due to the continuing deflation than the “turning of the corner” that government celebrates, while the achievement of primary budget surplus with its unprecedented human costs will be short-lived.
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*The interview was first published at the webpage of the think-tank Bridging Europe, and it is incorporated in the project Bridging Dialogue Initiative
Author : Dimitris Rapidis
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Emma Dawnay is board member of Monetäre Modernisierung, the NGO which brought a national referendum on Sovereign Money in Switzerland in 2018.
The amount of goods and services that workers can afford to buy from their wages has been an ever-decreasing proportion of the total goods and services produced over the last 40 years. This, argues Geoff Crocker in his book Sovereign Money and Basic Income, is a problem. The vast majority of workers have to get hold of unearned income to supplement their present consumption, in the form of benefits and pensions, but also increasingly by taking out loans.
Whether it be due to increasing automation reducing the need for workers, or the owners of firms having more power and thus being able to withhold higher proportions of a firm’s profits, Crocker argues the current system is not sustainable. It will fail or at least drastically reduce future potential consumption for most people.
He proposes a simple solution: the state should create the money needed to bridge this gap – debt free – and simply give it to all citizens (this ‘debt-free’ money is also known as sovereign money, which includes not only coins and banknotes, but also electronic money). It solves the problem that the economic system has (people not being able to buy the output of the economy) simply by handing people a basic income, and at the same time it solves the main argument against a basic income: that it would be too expensive. It also answers the question of “how much?” – an ongoing concern for both proponents of a basic income and for proponents of a sovereign money system.
Crocker’s book is a short read (94 pages) and written at a level easily accessible to a non-academic audience, whilst his points are backed up by extensive referencing making his writing worthy of an academic journal.
He gives a good summary of the dominant economic theories since the 1930’s, from Keynesian fiscal demand management, to monetarism with interest rates being used to control inflation, which includes interesting perspectives of key economists and thought leaders. Different reasons for the 2007/2008 financial crisis are compared and critiqued concluding that the cause had more to do with too little demand supplemented by a huge growth in consumer debt, than the predominant explanation of ‘bad’ banks that were too lightly regulated. If the diagnosis of a problem is incorrect policy responses are unlikely to work. Crocker argues the policy responses in this case did not help: increased banking regulation has resulted in stifling growth; quantitative easing has increased inequality; and austerity has caused great hardship – all without making the financial system more stable.
His diagnosis of the problem, like several other economists, is that a build-up of debt led to the financial crisis of 2007/8. However, he digs deeper than others with many graphs showing how consumer spending, income (of different forms), GDP and household debt have been changing in the UK. In particular, he shows that total consumer spending overtook wages paid in 1997, and consumers have run up household debts to enable their consumption. Further – and similar to the ideas of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) as put forward by Stephanie Kelton – he finds that a government deficit is normal, has no adverse affect on GDP, and that austerity was a mis-guided policy that caused much hardship.
He argues that much government debt is perpetual as it will never be repaid – so it is similar in nature to Sovereign Money as put forward by Joseph Huber. Indeed, government issuance of a perpetual bond with zero interest arguably has the same properties as government issuance of Sovereign Money (coins and banknotes are already Sovereign Money, but the term is usually used for the issuance of electronic Sovereign Money). However, the government issuing bonds has the downside that people – especially politicians - worry about the size of the “deficit” and “national debt”, which would not occur if debt-free Sovereign Money was issued.
Crocker’s solution to the problem that people, in aggregate, are not able to afford the goods and services produced is that the government should issue sovereign money to bolster demand by giving people a basic income (without the need for people to run up personal debts). Further to this, he proposes governments could also solve the ‘problem’ of the ever-increasing national debt by issuing Sovereign Money for some public spending such as the NHS. He compares his solutions to the MMT proposal that government can simply run up more debt and the pure Sovereign Money proposal (as we brought to national referendum in Switzerland) that only the central bank should be allowed to create money (not the banks, as is the case at the moment). He also shows that this would be hard to pay for a basic income without sovereign money, and that if a basic income was paid for out of, for example, higher taxes, it wouldn’t have the effect of generating much more demand as you’d be reducing some people’s disposable income just to increase other people’s.
Crocker covers the standard arguments put forward by both the proponents of a Universal Basic Income and the proponents of Sovereign Money. He also gives very useful summaries of the works of the economists and thought leaders: Adair Turner, Martin Wolf, Robert Skidelsky, Niccolo Fraccaroli, and Mark Blyth.
Readers with a “Green” perspective might find some of his arguments underwhelming as increasing GDP is generally seen as a good thing, with his main idea being to keep “the economy” going by enabling people to consume the output of the economy (whilst not forcing them into debt), rather than aiming to reduce consumption. He does redress this somewhat in his section on a basic income, explaining this will enable people not to have to work producing evermore things – so the effect is likely to reduce consumption.
Proponents of a universal basic income as well as proponents of a sovereign money system will not be completely satisfied. Supporters of sovereign money will argue that, under Crocker’s proposal, banks can still create money which will still lead to asset bubbles (especially house price bubbles), so it would not have all the benefits of a full Sovereign Money system. Proponents of a universal basic income will argue that restricting the income to a level such as there is no gap between aggregate consumption and aggregate wages may not provide everyone with a high enough income to live with dignity, though one assumes this could be supplemented with money from taxation.
A further argument against Crocker’s proposal is that, if the government just issues ever more debt-free money (i.e., Sovereign money) without increasing taxation on firms or shareholders, this money will simply flow from the general population to firms then on to their owners (shareholders) in the form of dividends. This will have the effect of increasing inequality.
Despite these criticisms, I thoroughly recommend this book and the proposals Crocker outlines within it. It is a good read with an excellent introduction to our recent economic history. At this time in the COVID-19 pandemic we need new solutions to our economic problems more urgently than ever. The diagnoses presented in this book are fundamental to understanding the economic problems that we are in. In my view, if Crocker’s proposals were to be implemented, they would certainly be a great first step to solving our economic problems in a fair and just way.
Basic Income and Sovereign Money: The Alternative to Economic Crisis and Austerity Policy (Geoff Crocker, 2020) is available via Palgrave Macmillan.
All articles posted on this blog give the views of the author(s), and not the position of the IPR, nor of the University of Bath. | https://blogs.bath.ac.uk/iprblog/2020/11/18/review-basic-income-and-sovereign-money-geoff-crocker/ |
The crisis is not relinquishing its grip on Europe. From autumn 2008 to early 2009 the world market experienced the deepest slump in economic output since the Second World War. This is a global crisis. Even in emerging economies like China, Brazil, or India economic growth declined and could not compensate for the recession in the North Atlantic region. For the first time since the worldwide economic crisis of the 1930s global economic output has shrunk. After a brief uptick in 2010 which barely restored the level of reproduction prior to the crisis, in 2011 growth was again in worldwide decline. In the last quarter of 2011 economic output in the EU shrunk by 0.3 percent. In the first months of 2012 industrial production in the large EU nations of France, Italy, and Spain contracted further.
From early 2010 the crisis in Europe has emerged as being one of state refinancing. In every crisis fiscal revenues take a hit while unemployment, and with it, social expenditures increase. To this is added the gigantic bank rescue packages and — in comparison to these the admittedly less substantial — stimulus packages. All this has resulted in large increases in budget deficits and state debt. A number of countries, starting with Greece, have reached the limits of their borrowing capacity. Because international investors have lost confidence that these countries can continue to service their debt, they are unable to obtain any new credit from the capital markets, except at an intolerably high rate of interest. Some investors are also betting with credit default swaps on the bankruptcy of individual countries — a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The Neoliberal “Competition State”
Before the current crisis, when considered separately from debt service, countries such as Spain, Italy, and Ireland exhibited a positive primary balance in their public budgets. That is to say, state revenues exceeded expenditures. In these cases the problems particular to public finances clearly developed only with the onset of the latest crisis. In other countries such as Greece and Portugal the primary balances of state budgets were indeed negative before the current crisis, which indicates structural problems with state financing. That the state, as for example in Greece, tolerated large-scale tax evasion must be understood as an element of a specific mode of capitalist development and a particular constellation of class interests. Phenomena such as high inflation, clientelism, corruption, and tax evasion are characteristics of states that occupy a more peripheral position in the international division of labor. These states exhibit a high degree of internal structural heterogeneity in forms of production and class relations in which the distribution of the value of the social product is fiercely contested between different classes and class fractions.
Furthermore, neoliberal fiscal policies have repeatedly created budget shortfalls, even before the current crisis. This is also the case for Germany. Due to the reduction in the top tax rate on high incomes and in the inheritance tax, the elimination of the wealth tax and the stock transfer tax, a tax exemption on the sale of subsidiaries of joint stock companies, and other measures, reductions in tax receipts have come to be accepted. The capitalist state has developed into a “competition state.” Competing internationally for investment, it seeks to attract and bind businesses to locations within its jurisdiction, by means of selective reductions in taxes for firms and investors, as well as with subsidies. The broad mass of wage earners, in contrast, had to endure increases in taxation and simultaneous reductions in social welfare benefits. The state has thus contributed to a redistribution of wealth from wage earners to the owners of capital.
Alongside the crisis of state indebtedness the banking crisis has also returned. Since government bonds are an important source of profits for banks and other owners of capital, the financial crisis also strikes back at financial institutions. Because state bankruptcies in Greece and elsewhere threaten European banks with collapse, financial houses hesitate to extend credit to one another. Already in 2007/08, as a result of the collapse of the subprime mortgage market in the United States, the so-called interbank loan market dried out. Banks now prefer to park their money with the European Central Bank (ECB) rather than to make it available to their peers. As in the autumn of 2008, this credit crunch also impacts upon the circuit of industrial capital.
Uneven Development
The global dynamics of the crisis are superimposed on the contradictions of European integration, which in turn further intensify them. The unequal development of capital accumulation in the Eurozone became starkly evident in the crisis. Germany and a few other countries achieved large current account surpluses and are simultaneously capital exporters (creditors). In contrast most Eurozone countries are capital importers (debtors) and have current account deficits. The balance of payments imbalances in Europe increased substantially in recent years. In the critical discussions taking place regarding this relationship several explanations are on offer.
First, increasing international indebtedness is linked to the hierarchical structures of the international division of labor and the uneven development of productive capacities. Germany, for example, is equipped with a greatly diversified industrial structure, particularly in the production of means of production (machine tools, chemicals, etc.). Countries such as Greece in contrast have much less to offer to the world market. This unequal development has always been an immanent characteristic of the capitalist world economy. The further the productive force of labor progresses, that is, the more commodities can be produced with the same deployment of labor, the more the concentration and centralization of capital develops, and the more the tendential geographic concentration of production also takes place.
Secondly, uneven development is related to diverging unit labor costs. The relation between wages and productivity that is expressed in unit labor costs is crucial for the price competitiveness and profitability of capital. It should be noted that in no other EU country have unit labor costs increased as little in the past ten years as in Germany. German companies have procured competitive advantages for themselves through wage restraint. The actuality of German export surpluses means of course that Germany must also play the part of international creditor in order to be able to sell its commodities abroad. Conversely, countries with current account deficits such as Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France etc. must logically take on debt to be able to pay for their excess imports.
The third explanation for uneven development in the EU seems to contradict the second and is based on the observation that rates of growth in the peripheral EU nations were previously higher than in Germany. The higher rates of growth and the capital imports of the peripheral nations are not indications of an absent competitiveness. On the contrary, from a Marxist perspective, capital flows as a rule to where profit rates are higher. It may indeed be the case that in the last decade unit labor costs increased much more in Greece than in Germany. But the question to pose is: based on what level? Wage levels in any case are much lower in Greece than in Germany.
The differing rates of growth are also correlated to the diverging real rates of interest in the Eurozone, which result from the difference in the nominal interest rate and the inflation rate. Through the ECB a uniform nominal base rate is prescribed, yet in light of different rates of price increases from country to country, this leads to divergent real interest rates. Because the rate of inflation is higher in Greece than in Germany, the corresponding real rates of interest are lower there. This being the case, it is thus attractive for investors to take on debt there. From this perspective the causality in the balance of payments is exactly the reverse of that in the first explanation: it is not the surplus commodity exports of Germany that have led to the accumulation of debt in the periphery, rather the export of capital from the imperialist centers has led to the higher rate of growth and the increase in commodity imports in the peripheral countries. In the first case the trade balance (current account) determines the capital account; in the second case this is reversed.
Does merchandise trade dominate over capital movements, or, vice versa, do capital flows dominate the trade in goods? In my view the question of causality in the balance of payments cannot be answered in general but only through more concrete analysis on a case-by-case basis.
Regardless of how one interprets the causality in the relationship between commodity and capital flows, there is agreement that the problems in the Eurozone cannot be reduced to the financial crises of states. Not only has the indebtedness of the respective states in the Eurozone greatly increased, but so too has private debt. It would be mistaken in each case to comprehend the financial crisis of the state in isolation from developments in the economy as a whole.
Intensified Competition
The common currency is in any case intensifying competition and the problem of uneven development within the Eurozone. Countries with slipping competitiveness in the Eurozone cannot use their own monetary policy, the devaluation of their own currency for example, to defend their competitiveness. Pressure to adjust bears down above all on countries in the position of net debtors, that is, countries with a current account deficit and a capital import surplus. This pressure to adapt leads ultimately to wage reductions as is currently being implemented in an intensified form in Greece and Portugal by the austerity policies of the troika of the European Commission, the ECB, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The rigidity of the German government with regard to the management of the European crisis appears at first sight to contradict certain material interests of capital. It is not only Anglo-American investors who have long demanded that the ECB should purchase government bonds without limit in order to reduce interest rates for the EU countries affected by the refinancing crisis and restore confidence in their state securities. There has also been a demand in other European states for a more flexible position on the part of the ECB and for the introduction of euro bonds. At the same time it is obvious that the brutal austerity policies that have been forced on Greece and other states in response to the economic turbulence by the German government only push these countries even deeper into crisis. Hence it needs to be asked whether the prevailing crisis policies are themselves irrational from the perspective of the reproduction of capital.
The austerity measures and the demands for monetary state financing or the supranational socialization of debt appear at first to contradict each other. While austerity policies appear to have the reduction of state indebtedness as their aim, an expansion of the role of the ECB as lender of last resort for the states of the Eurozone or a socialization of their debt by means of euro bonds would create the preconditions for an even greater expansion of state debt. However, there exists only a superficial contradiction between these measures. In the end, policies of cutbacks will also not lead to a reduction of state indebtedness, but at best will create the preconditions for the reestablishment of confidence for investors in European government bonds. Even the IMF expects that average indebtedness in the Eurozone, which in 2010 was at 85.8 percent of GDP, will be at 86.6 percent in 2016. Austerity policies, as well as the much-discussed socialization of debt, serve to prevent an even greater devaluation of fictitious capital, which is what government bonds embody. What is of concern here is not the reduction of state debt but rather its sustainability. As a sphere of investment, government debt, which has been growing faster globally in recent years than the global social product, is indispensable for global financial firms.
Intensification of Exploitation
Yet, if austerity policies and the socialization of debt, and monetary state financing by the ECB, respectively, are just different ways to restore confidence in European government bonds and guarantee a “sustainable” debt, why then are the governments of the Eurozone states not taking the more comfortable path and relaxing austerity measures and concentrating on the socialization of debt? Certainly, without austerity policies state indebtedness would grow even quicker. But why would that be so problematic? Italy maintained levels of state indebtedness for decades in excess of 100 percent of GDP. Why did it suddenly become a problem? Likewise the USA can afford a debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 100 percent, and Japan one of even more than 200 percent. What explains the rigidity of German and European austerity policies?
Their goal is not only to reduce state expenditures or to increase tax revenue. It is also a matter of reducing wage levels in the private sector and of increasing working hours, in short, of increasing the overall exploitation of labor. Austerity policies don’t resolve the crisis, but they help to realize traditional demands of capitalists that up to now had not been achievable due to the relation of forces. Austerity measures serve not only the bank rescues (which could also be carried out by the ECB buying out the banks’ government bonds), but serve above all industrial capital, in particular export-oriented industrial capital, whose profitability can be increased in this way.
To add to this: it is not just about defending the euro but, above all, its international role. The common currency functions not only as a means of circulation and payment within the Eurozone, but also has a global function, even if as an international reserve currency it takes second place behind the American dollar. The importance and prominence of the euro would be endangered if international investors lost confidence in the government bonds of Eurozone countries and withdrew their capital. The euro would hence lose value against the currencies of other capitalist centers. It is precisely in the competition between currencies that the stability of the euro — as a measure of value and as a means of circulation and payment, as well as a medium of accumulation — is of importance. Internationally active banks and transnational corporations, which are based in the Eurozone, profit in particular when they can offer credit in their own currency and when their business partners can pay in euros. This reduces their currency risks.
In this regard it is of interest to these banks and corporations the extent to which actors outside of the Eurozone are prepared to use the euro as a currency. This becomes of even greater importance the more financial linkages with actors outside of the Eurozone increase. For Germany, exports to nations outside of the Eurozone in recent years increased faster than exports to those within the Eurozone. The defense of the euro through policies of austerity is not simply the result of the European strategies of German capital but above all of its globalization strategies. Nevertheless, the German government does not the play the role of Europe’s disciplinarian solely in the interests of German capital but also in the interests of dominant fractions of capital in other Eurozone countries. Only this convergence of interests can explain why Sarkozy largely swung into line behind Merkel and why the Greek government under no circumstances considered exiting the Eurozone although austerity policies were and are wrecking the internal market and are damaging the fraction of capital dependent on this market.
Resistance
In the coming months several countries must refinance huge portions of their state debts that are coming due. That is, they must replace them with new loans. It remains to be seen to what extent this will be possible with sustainable interest rates. Currently under discussion is whether the “rescue packages” which have covered the EU countries with the temporary European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and more permanently with the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) are sufficient, if the refinancing of larger countries like Italy and Spain through capital markets will no longer be possible. A further expansion of the mutual liability for the public debt of individual nations will confront yet greater political resistance than we have until now experienced. When this happens the forces demanding the exit of individual countries from the Eurozone, or the Eurozone’s bifurcation, will further gain in prominence.
In this situation the Left must mount a two-front struggle. One the one front, it must organize the defense of the working and popular classes against the ruling classes’ policies of immiseration, and fight against the fiscal pact which is leading to a further intensification of the neoliberal orientation of European financial and economic policies and a further hollowing out of democracy. One the other, it must combat the nationalist, racist, and fascist forces opposing European integration. The Left must make clear that a different, democratic and solidaristic Europe is possible and necessary. The protest actions involving a broad section of participants and allies, set to take place in Frankfurt on 16-19 May, offer the opportunity to articulate just such a position. (See: blockupy-frankfurt.org.)
Thomas Sablowski works at the Institute for Critical Social Analysis of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. He is also a member of the editorial board of the journal PROKLA and a member of the scientific advisory board of ATTAC Germany. This article originally appeared in Junge Welt (5 May 2012). Translation by Sam Putinja. | https://mronline.org/2012/05/16/sablowski160512-html/ |
In their monthly Global Forecast Update entitled Mind the Gap released today, Scotia Economics forecasts the pace of economic activity in advanced nations will be quite slow and uneven through 2012, while moderating output growth in the larger and faster-paced emerging economies is forecast to remain comparatively strong.
According to the report, the growth gap between the emerging and advanced nations has progressively widened over the past three decades, from essentially no gap in the 1980s to over five percentage points near the end of the 2000s. The gap initially reflected the much stronger economic performances of the emerging economies, but the differential is being kept wide by the increasing underperformance of the advanced nations.
“The growth gap between emerging and advanced economies is expected to remain wide,” said Warren Jestin, Chief Economist, Scotiabank, “with most advanced nations already embarked upon a multi-year period of household deleveraging and fiscal consolidation – developments that will keep their output in the slow lane of growth.”
Mr. Jestin added that “emerging nations have the fiscal and financial flexibility to underpin solid economic gains in their home markets, a development that remains supportive over the longer term for international trade and commodity markets.”
Scotia Economics’ forecasts had already assumed slower growth in the advanced economies both this year and next, with many households opting to reduce their debt burdens in unsettled times, the pace of fiscal restraint gathering momentum, and credit conditions in Europe and the United States challenged as financial institutions focus on recapitalizing their balance sheets and tighter regulatory guidelines. The early-year surge in commodity prices and the disruptions in the global manufacturing supply chain triggered by Japan’s mid-March catastrophe only compounded the slowdown.
Heightened political uncertainty in recent months has aggravated the slow pace of reforms critical to reducing the significant deficit and debt problems in the euro zone and the United States, with the broad financial market and confidence shake-out around the world threatening the durability of the tepid recovery underway.
“A quick and effective resolution to the euro zone’s severe sovereign debt and banking sector problems, and a credible deficit-reduction strategy in the United States are critical to prevent further contagion, restore financial market stability, rebuild confidence, and enable the two largest economic regions in the world to regain stronger momentum through the second half of 2012,” said Aron Gampel, Deputy Chief Economist, Scotiabank.
Japan’s massive rebuilding efforts and the rebound in auto and electronics manufacturing will lift the economy to the top of the advanced nations’ growth ladder through the remainder of this year and most of 2012. Australia is also expected to remain a relative outperformer because of its close commodity and trade linkages with the still strong Asia-Pacific region.
The North American economies have slipped to the middle of the advanced nation growth ladder. Mexico’s prospects have been reduced by the sharp slowing in U.S. activity, though the country’s strong competitive position and more regionally diversified trade will keep industrial activity and domestic spending at a reasonably high level. Canada also faces stiffer headwinds, with the renewed slumps in the United States and Europe dampening non-resource shipments. Some softening in employment conditions and a more subdued housing market will contribute to the lower growth profile, though the buoyancy in resource-producing regions that is being underpinned by continuing large investments will remain an important contributor to growth.
The U.S. economy continues to be weighed down by significant and lingering problems. The housing slump shows no sign of a quick turnaround. The weak job recovery has stumbled again, putting a further squeeze on household incomes and discretionary spending. Exports remain a relative bright spot, with transportation equipment and technology sales leading the way. Even so, the sharp drop in confidence associated with the budgetary deadlock, and the prospect of intensifying fiscal retrenchment, point to weak and uneven growth for a good part of 2012.
Fiscal restraint will dominate European prospects for the foreseeable future. Among the peripheral European nations, intensifying budgetary cutbacks and increasing unemployment have severely constrained activity. The contagion from the sovereign debt crisis is contributing to a falloff in growth in the larger European economies, most notably in Italy and Spain, but also in Germany and France as increased consumer and business caution sweep the region and regional trade slows. Significant fiscal restraint and the resulting slowdown in domestic demand will keep U.K. growth slightly below one per cent this year and next, notwithstanding preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
China is expected to remain the global growth leader, though the combination of domestic credit restraint and slowing international demand will trim its output growth to around nine per cent next year. India’s strong domestically generated expansion will continue to keep the country’s growth rate around eight per cent. In Brazil, prior policy tightening and a stronger currency — both have reversed somewhat in recent weeks — will contribute to a slower pace of activity, though the country will remain a strong performer because of significant investments in manufacturing and resources. Peru and Chile will continue to post comparatively stronger regional growth on the back of ongoing capital investments in their expanding resource sectors.
“Financial markets can be expected to remain very volatile amid slower global growth and heightened economic and political uncertainty,” concluded Mr. Jestin. “Interest rates in the advanced nations have declined to historically low levels alongside increased risk aversion and monetary accommodation, though longer-term yields are still vulnerable to the upside later next year as the financial turmoil eases and economic conditions stabilize.”
The report also notes that the U.S. dollar has soared alongside the shift into highly liquid U.S. assets, though progress in resolving the deficit and debt problems in the euro zone and the United States should allow risk assets and most currencies, including the Canadian dollar, to begin retracing some of their recent losses.
Scotia Economics provides clients with in-depth research into the factors shaping the outlook for Canada and the global economy, including macroeconomic developments, currency and capital market trends, commodity and industry performance, as well as monetary, fiscal and public policy issues.
For further information: | https://mbchamber.mb.ca/2011/10/07/growth-gap-between-emerging-and-advanced-nations-to-remain-wide-scotia-economics/ |
Although many European governments have announced expenditure cuts and tax hikes, their debt/GDP ratios continue to deteriorate. So, if the purpose of austerity was to reduce debt levels, its critics are right: fiscal belt-tightening has failed. But the goal of austerity was not just to stabilise debt ratios.
In fact, austerity has worked as advertised in some cases. Germany’s fiscal deficit temporarily increased by about 2.5 percentage points of GDP during the global recession of 2009; subsequent rapid deficit reduction had no significant negative impact on growth. So it is possible to reduce deficits and keep the debt/GDP ratio in check – provided that the economy does not start out with large imbalances, and that the financial system is working properly. Obviously, the countries on the eurozone’s periphery do not meet these conditions.
Countries whose governments have either lost access to normal market financing (like Greece, Ireland, and Portugal), or face very high risk premia (like Italy and Spain in 2011-12) simply do not have a choice: they must reduce their expenditures or get financing from some official body like the International Monetary Fund or the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). But foreign official financing will always be subject to lenders’ conditions – and lenders see no reason to finance ongoing spending at levels that previously led a country into trouble.
So, in the eurozone periphery, austerity is not a question of fine-tuning demand, but of ensuring governments’ solvency. Economists like to point out that solvency has little to do with the ratio of public debt to today’s GDP, and much to do with debt relative to expected future tax revenues. A government’s solvency thus depends much more on long-term growth prospects than on the current debt/GDP ratio.
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A reduction in the deficit today might lead in the short run to a fall in GDP that is larger than the cut in the deficit (if the so-called multiplier is larger than one), which would cause the debt/GDP ratio to rise. But almost all economic models imply that a cut in expenditures today should lead to higher GDP in the long run, because it allows for lower taxes (and thus reduces economic distortions).
Austerity should thus always be beneficial for solvency in the long run, even if the debt/GDP ratio deteriorates in the short run. For this reason, the current increase in debt/GDP ratios in southern Europe should not be interpreted as proof that austerity does not work.
Moreover, austerity has been accompanied by structural reforms, which should increase countries’ long-term growth potential, while pension reforms are set to reduce considerably the fiscal cost of aging populations. Such reforms promise to strengthen the solvency of all governments that adopt them, including those on the eurozone’s periphery.
More important, austerity has been very successful in restoring external balance to the eurozone’s periphery. The current accounts of all southern eurozone countries are improving rapidly and, with the possible exception of Greece, will soon swing into surplus. This fundamental change has contributed to the reduction in risk premia over the last year, despite the political upheaval that continues in many countries (particularly Italy, Portugal, and Greece).
The external aspect is crucial. If public debt is owed to domestic investors, it can be serviced with the taxes levied on GDP. But debt owed to foreigners can be serviced only with goods and services sold abroad – that is, exports. Thus, the key variable for countries that had large current-account deficits, and thus are burdened today with high foreign-debt levels, is not the debt/GDP ratio, but the foreign debt/exports ratio (together with the growth prospects for exports).
Here, developments are encouraging. During the boom years, when countries like Greece, Portugal, and Spain were running ever-larger external deficits, their exports did not grow quickly, so their foreign debt/exports ratios deteriorated steadily, reaching levels that are usually regarded as a warning signal. For example, for Spain and Portugal, the sum of past deficits relative to annual exports reached 300% and 400%, respectively, in 2009, whereas a 250% ratio is typically regarded as the threshold at which external-financing problems can arise.
With austerity, imports have crashed everywhere in the periphery, while exports – helped by falling labour costs – are increasing (except in Greece). As a result, these countries’ current accounts are now moving into surplus, and their external solvency is improving rapidly.
Indeed, according to the IMF, Spain should record growing current-account surpluses over the next five years, as exports rise strongly, thus cutting the external debt/export ratio by half (to about 150% in 2018), while Portugal’s ratio should fall to about 250%. Even Italy, whose external deficits have remained small, will soon record a current-account surplus.
Austerity always involves huge social costs; but it is unavoidable when a country has lived beyond its means and lost its foreign creditors’ confidence. The external fundamentals of the eurozone’s periphery are now improving rapidly. In this sense, austerity has done exactly what it was intended to do.
Daniel Gros is director of the Centre for European Policy Studies. © Project Syndicate, 2013. | https://www.politico.eu/article/has-austerity-failed-in-europe/ |
EconSouth (Second Quarter 2006)
Financial Volatility and Electoral Uncertainty in Latin America:
Perspectives for 2006
Latin American economies have in the past experienced increased economic upheaval during busy electoral seasons. Will the large number of elections this year pose a threat to the region’s financial stability?
At the heart of every financial transaction lies the presumption of confidence. In turn, any event that could bring about change, to the extent that the change is unpredictable, will foster uncertainty and put that confidence to the test. Political elections are an example of such an uncertain event, and in Latin America elections have typically been associated with more than their share of uncertainty.
In fact, many financial crises in Latin America have coincided with elections. For example, the largest stock market sell-offs in Brazil’s recent history occurred in the last two presidential election years of 1998 and 2002. Chart 1 illustrates the relationship between the number of elections in Latin American countries and the risk that sovereign bond buyers perceive in those governments.
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In the past, uncertainty about policy continuity, coupled with preexisting economic fragility, provided the catalyst for financial meltdowns in Latin America. Such cause-and-effect collapses occur during times of transition—like elections—when sensitive investors are forced to form expectations based on scarce and highly imperfect information. Therefore, a mere unfortunate comment or a change in the direction of the polls can diminish a foreign investor’s appetite for Latin American assets.
With at least 21 presidential and legislative elections scheduled, 2006 represents an unusually politically intense year in Latin America. Moreover, some of these elections are taking place in the region’s largest economies, including Brazil and Mexico. As a consequence, a great deal of speculation has occurred concerning the political cycle’s economic effect on Latin America. Will the uncertainty usually associated with the elections cause a sudden stop of financial flows into the region? Or, alternatively, will the series of political and institutional reforms implemented in the region over the last decade be enough to reassure investors that political change will not lead to a fundamental shift in economic prospects?
So far this year, the elections in Chile, Costa Rica, Haiti, El Salvador, Colombia, and Peru took place without major market disruptions, standing in stark contrast to outcomes during previous election cycles in those countries. This trend should continue throughout the remainder of 2006 because, for a number of reasons, Latin America appears better prepared to withstand the gyrations of the political cycle.
Improving trade balances
Thanks mainly to favorable external demand for the region’s commodities, most Latin American economies have been experiencing strong export performance. As a result, most countries in the region are making more money on exports than they’re spending on imports. This current account surplus clearly contrasts with the situation in the 1990s, where current accounts were for the most part running a deficit as countries spent more on imports than they made on exports. As a result, Latin America has been able to reduce its dependence on foreign financing by going from being a net borrower to a net lender of funds.
This situation has also mitigated the effects of the increased cost of borrowing. When the Fed raised interest rates in the 1990s, cash-starved Latin America suffered. Its financing costs increased every time the fed funds target rate was raised in the United States. Today, by reducing its borrowing needs, Latin America has not only reduced its vulnerability to sudden halts of foreign investment but also to higher financing costs.
Central banks gain credibility in fighting inflation
Slowly but steadily, central banks in Latin America have been able to better cope with the region’s traditional Achilles’ heel: inflation. For example, the annual average regional inflation rate for the last three years was around 8 percent while the average for 1993–2002 was closer to 53 percent.
In addition, the region’s central banks have on average shifted away from attempting to manage a particular exchange rate and have undertaken a more stringent focus on inflation. Several Latin American monetary authorities have opted for a monetary policy rule that is similar to inflation targeting. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru gradually started to implement this sort of monetary policy throughout the 1990s.
Increased tax receipts
Given the strong growth in gross domestic product (GDP), governments have been able to boost their tax receipts, and revenues have recently grown faster than outlays. In fact, administrations in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina have created market stability through their fiscal surpluses. In turn, these fiscal surpluses also reduce the countries’ financing needs, whereas in the past, outside investment would have been a source of concern should investor sentiment go against the countries. In fact, in February 2006, JPMorgan Chase estimated that most countries in the region had already prefinanced more than 90 percent of their projected external borrowing requirements for this year. With this reduced reliance on foreign financing, Latin American governments are better prepared to absorb other types of macroeconomic shocks.
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Reduced leverage
A stronger fiscal position has, in addition, allowed many Latin American governments to manage their liabilities in a way that has successfully reduced their debt levels. For example, in less than two years, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela reduced their debt-to-GDP ratios from 79 to 50 percent, 46 to 37 percent, and 53 to 34 percent, respectively, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), an economic data firm.
Moreover, not only has the region’s average leverage situation improved, but so has the composition of its debt portfolio. Gradually, Latin American governments have either been able to sell new securities or roll over existing debt using instruments that can be paid back over a longer period. More importantly, these instruments are denominated in local currencies, thus eliminating the exchange rate risk. Therefore, not only are countries less leveraged, but they are also less exposed to variations in their exchange rates.
International reserve stock accumulation
To avoid dampening the export-led recovery, many Latin American central banks have gradually increased their holdings of international reserves. By doing so, they have been able to minimize the appreciation of their nominal exchange rates without fostering inflationary pressures.
Between 2000 and 2005 the stock of international reserves held in Latin America grew by approximately 63 percent, from $159 billion to $261 billion (see chart 2), according to the EIU. These reserves have in turn increased the countries’ net worth position.
Additionally, JPMorgan Chase estimates that the reserves’ value is well in excess of public and private external debt payments. Some analysts believe these hard-currency reserves could also allow policymakers additional options to counteract adverse economic shocks, should the situation require it.
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Development of domestic capital markets
The development and growth of domestic capital markets in Latin American countries arguably should provide additional assurance that a major destabilizing sell-off in debt or equity markets does not occur. Sell-offs are less anticipated when domestic investors hold a greater share of their own government’s debt, and on average these investors are holding all domestic assets with longer-term horizons.
Latin America’s stock market capitalization as a percentage of GDP almost doubled between 2001 and 2004, according to the International Monetary Fund’s Global Financial Stability report. In other words, the capital markets have grown faster than the region’s economies, further providing policymakers with economic options.
A good year, so far
Entering 2006, the combination of good economic fundamentals and the perceived willingness of the main candidates to maintain macroeconomic policies were expected to anchor market expectations. To date, this has been the case.
Perhaps the greatest risk associated with the current electoral cycle is in the form of reform paralysis. Since most Latin American governments are busy with their electoral agendas, they seem to have little incentive to push forward with any of the remaining—and much-needed—reforms, such as in the fiscal and pension arenas.
Should economic conditions deteriorate, governments will find it difficult to expend the political capital needed to implement reform policies. Thus, the longer-term challenge confronting Latin America will be maintaining market confidence in the face of less favorable economic conditions and reduced enthusiasm for political and institutional reform.
This article was written by Diego Vilan, a senior economic analyst in the regional section of the Atlanta Fed’s research department. | https://www.frbatlanta.org/regional-economy/econsouth/econsouth_vol_8_no_2_financial_volatility_and_electoral_uncertainty_in_latin_america_perspectives_for_2006.aspx |
The Spanish government’s new package of tax increases and spending cuts throws a spotlight on an increasingly contentious debate about whether fiscal austerity in Europe is further damaging the patient’s health rather than leading to recovery.
Yields on Spanish government bonds dipped, a sign that investors have given the measures– the fourth such package since the government was formed seven months ago – a vote of confidence.
Among Europe’s leaders and economists there is more disagreement.
The election of the socialist François Hollande to the French presidency in May helped tip the political debate in the euro zone towards promoting growth rather than austerity at all costs, a stance supported by Mario Monti, Italy’s prime minister. But even Mr. Hollande is now proposing unprecedented public spending cuts on top of hefty tax rises for business and the wealthy.
Even the International Monetary Fund has expressed concern about the pace of efforts to reduce governments’ borrowing at a time when domestic demand is contracting, unemployment rising sharply and the supply of credit dwindling fast.
“Still-high deficits, rising debt ratios and the volatility of financial markets all argue for continued fiscal consolidation, especially in advanced economies, but the weakened global outlook puts policymakers in a delicate position.
“Too little fiscal consolidation could roil financial markets, but too much risks further undermining the recovery and, in this way, could also raise market concerns,” the IMF said in its Fiscal Outlook in April.
At times such as today when there is significant spare capacity in many countries and output is far below its potential – what economists call an “output gap” – fiscal consolidation can lead to an even bigger hit to economic output than it might otherwise, the IMF noted.
“The debt dynamics of Spain are not helped by the present stance,” says Gerard Lyons, chief economist at Standard Chartered.
“It is akin to being in a hole and being asked to dig deeper. Spain needs growth– it needs demand, not austerity.”
But Marco Annunziata, chief economist at General Electric, says Spain is simply doing what it needs to justify the 100 million euros ($122.3 million) promised from the EU to shore up its teetering banking sector.
“Madrid’s austerity measures send a very important signal that, just as Spain is receiving additional support from the euro zone, it is in turn making an additional effort to keep its fiscal policy on track.”
Spain faces a particularly unholy combination of challenges because of the size of its banking sector relative to the economy and the depth of banking losses. Indeed, this may well explain the contrasting performance of several European states – French GDPhas been growing more rapidly than that of the UK, where the banking sector is significantly bigger.
“From an economic point of view, Spain is the one place where you might criticize what Europe’s ‘core’ countries are doing,” says Richard Barwell, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland. The combination of bank deleveraging and austerity has exacerbated capital flight at a time when Spaniards need it badly to stay at home, he says.
Outside Spain, the EU is right to demand fiscal consolidation on the current scale because without that pressure, badly needed reforms – more competition for labor markets and industry generally – simply will not happen, Mr. Barwell says.
Germany, whose political leaders are most insistent on austerity, may not realize how austerity across Europe may actually hurt its economy because it is dependent on exports to the euro zone, notes Vicky Pryce, former joint head of the UK’s Government Economic Service. | https://www.cnbc.com/id/48157291 |
At their meeting at the end of June, European leaders acknowledged for the first time the multiple dimensions of the crisis, accepting that austerity – putting everyone’s house in order – will not suffice. What is still missing, however, is recognition of the need for greater flexibility on fiscal-consolidation efforts.
MILAN – A rapid and large increase of government debt has been a general phenomenon in the advanced countries since the 2007-09 crisis: for the first time, the average debt/GDP ratio for OECD countries has surpassed 100 percent. Fiscal consolidation will weigh on growth prospects for two generations to come, and the welfare state as we have known it in Europe since World War II will have to be transformed, especially given a rapidly aging population.
But the eurozone debt crisis has distinctive features. Most importantly, while the average debt/GDP ratio is no higher than it is in other advanced countries, and consolidation efforts started earlier, the eurozone has been mired in a severe crisis of confidence for the past two years. This points to a systemic dimension of the crisis that cannot be reduced to profligate behaviour by fiscal sinners.
Indeed, the Greek crisis exposed three main flaws in the monetary union itself. First, the system lacked effective arrangements to align fiscal and other economic policies. As long as enforcement of fiscal discipline is entrusted to an intergovernmental body, the problem is bound to reappear, limiting the credibility of common budgetary rules.
Moreover, financial markets underpriced private and sovereign credit risks, in the implicit belief that no one would fail, and that all debts would somehow be made whole, implying weak market discipline on borrowers.
Finally, once the crisis hit, leading to a re-pricing of risks in financial markets, the need to avoid an economic and financial meltdown compelled governments to support aggregate demand and make private liabilities whole. But the disconnection between centralized monetary and decentralized fiscal powers de facto impeded the full use of monetary instruments to meet monetary and financial shocks.
That left individual eurozone members exposed to brutal pressure by financial markets at a time when excessive private debt was turned into unsustainable public debt. Suddenly, the eurozone had become a straightjacket.
Related: Europe’s Flawed Economics – Why The Euro’s Survival Remains In Doubt: Joseph Stiglitz
Related: World In Denial – Why The Eurozone’s Woes Are Worse Than We Think
And so it has remained: budgets are cut, growth falters, and periphery countries must engineer substantial real exchange-rate devaluations to regain competitiveness and close their external deficits. Core countries, meanwhile, argue that they can do little to strengthen aggregate demand and relieve pressure on their partners, even as the periphery’s agony is dragging the core into recession, owing to its dependence on peripheral export markets. And, indeed, recent data point to a rapidly worsening economic environment in Germany, where the trade surplus has shrunk dramatically in recent months.
Over the past two years, fundamental changes in the eurozone’s economic governance have aimed at rectifying the monetary union’s founding flaws. And, along the way, an intergovernmental process has become communitarian. Key powers over the implementation of common policy guidelines have been entrusted to the European Commission, and the European Council has limited its own ability to reject Commission recommendations by requiring a qualified majority to change them.
Strong economic-governance rules, however, will not suffice. A fully functioning monetary union also requires a central bank that is free to act as required to confront liquidity and confidence shocks, some mutualization of government debts, and centralized control over fiscal policy. Moreover, it must have centralized banking supervisory policies, with strong powers to manage bank crises and to liquidate banks that cannot be rescued.
All of this can be achieved only gradually, as Europe moves to a fully-fledged federal union. Whether the eurozone will survive in the meantime will be determined by the European Council’s capacity to establish intermediate arrangements that can halt the crisis and restore trust among its members.
Related: The Euro’s Silver Lining – Why The Doomsayers Are Wrong: Norbert Walter
Related: Can Europe Learn From Their Own Past Crises?: Harold James
Related: Can The Eurozone Be Rescued In Time? : Mohamed El Erian
At their meeting at the end of June, European leaders acknowledged for the first time the multiple dimensions of the crisis, accepting that austerity – putting everyone’s house in order – will not suffice. Accordingly, new joint policy initiatives will address economic growth, banking union, and liquidity. Moreover, European leaders have placed these new policies within a coherent longer-term framework that may also include “the issuance of common debt.”
Likewise, the European Council has agreed on a new “Compact for growth and jobs” that identifies a specific European dimension of growth policies, mainly integration of energy, transport, communications, and services, together with higher infrastructure investment.
What is notably missing is recognition of the need for greater flexibility on fiscal-consolidation efforts. As the Commission has requested, countries with stronger fiscal positions should consider slowing their consolidation efforts in order to avoid aggravating the recession. But, in order to preserve investors’ confidence, some eurozone countries must strike a difficult balance between austerity and overkill, which would have been facilitated had the European Council issued a clear statement that letting automatic stabilizers work, while remaining on track with structural budget targets, fully complies with European Union obligations.
Moreover, a greater share of the adjustment burden must fall on Germany. Recent fairly generous wage agreements in Germany will help, but are not enough; there is also a need to boost domestic demand. More aggressive liberalization of the bloated banking system, network services (especially in energy and transport), and public procurement may contribute significantly over time to raising domestic investment and incomes. The sizeable investments required to make up for the loss of nuclear energy may contribute more immediate stimulus.
Related: Why Germany Has No Choice But To Save Europe: Mohamed El-Erian
Related: Germany Will Make An Example Of Greece: George Friedman
Related: Europe’s Last Hope – Will Germany Step Up? : George Soros
All of this should not be seen as a concession, but as part of the obligations undertaken by eurozone governments to address excessive imbalances.
Now more than ever, Germany must be persuaded that without its contribution in reviving growth and correcting external imbalances, the eurozone faces prolonged depression and certain collapse.
By Stefano Micossi
Copyright: Project-Syndicate, 2012
Stefano Micossi is Director-General of Assonime, a business association and private think tank in Rome, Chairman of the board of CIR Group, and a member of the board of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels.
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Finance economic growth for a more stable and secure world
ANDREA MONTANINI & SAMUEL DORSHIMER*Ahead of its annual meetings in Lima in October, the International Monetary Fund cut its forecast for global growth to a modest 3.1 percent because of slowing growth in emerging economies. In advanced economies, especially in Europe, growth has remained weak since the financial crisis seven years ago and many economies are still struggling to recover. Such sluggish growth raises questions about traditional strategies to jumpstart the economy and underscores the need for new ideas to create and sustain growth.
Traditionally, governments have relied on the public budget and monetary stimuli from central banks to finance growth. Public debt has, however, risen significantly since the financial crisis. According to the World Bank, in the European Union as a whole, government debt as a percentage of the GDP rose from 42.7 percent in 2007 to 73.2 percent in 2014. In countries that were embroiled in the sovereign debt crisis — Portugal, Ireland, and Greece — debt levels rose to over 120 percent of the GDP, significantly burdening public finances.
Countries with a traditionally low debt to GDP ratio, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, face unprecedentedly high levels of public debt. Growing public debt levels siphon away spending to debt service and limit governments’ ability to spend on programs to stimulate the economy. If governments are unable to manage their debt more effectively, it will become difficult to use traditional fiscal stimulus to finance growth and place a significant drag on long-term growth.
While Turkey does not have the same public debt burden — debt as a percentage of the GDP has fallen to nearly 40 percent from over 50 percent at the peak of the crisis — it has significantly increased its current account deficit over the last several years and is at heightened risk if it can’t adjust to normalization of US monetary policy.
The private sector, meanwhile, faces formidable obstacles in financing growth. Typically, companies have relied on the banking system for funding and loans. Since the crisis, however, lending has slowed in the European Union because of fears about a growing number of non-performing loans. Between 2007 and 2014, the number of non-performing loans as a percentage of overall loans increased nearly fourfold. In Turkey, while the number of non-performing loans is relatively low, companies have borrowed extensively, mostly in dollars. In fact, according to the IMF’s recent Global Financial Stability Report, corporate debt as a percentage of GDP in Turkey increased over 20 percent between 2007 and 2014. If the Turkish lira depreciates further or the US Federal Reserve raises interest rates in the next few months, as expected, companies would have a hard time making loan payments.
In the face of these challenges, central banks have been a bright spot in maintaining liquidity and some stability. The European Central Bank (ECB) has used extensive Quantitative Easing (QE) policies to maintain liquidity in the EU’s banking system and combat low inflation. However, monetary stimulus can only work up to a certain point. Official interest rates have been kept at the lowest level ever by the main central banks, including the Fed, the ECB, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan. Despite this, inflation remains low and the economy is not booming. The economic impact of monetary policy is limited and is only sustainable for short-term recovery and growth. In order to promote long-term growth, most countries will need to find strategies to adjust to a less accommodative monetary policy environment and to an era of high public debt.
Capital market reform can promote growth in the EU and Turkey. Currently, alternative sources of financing for European companies are blocked by high costs of compliance and barriers to cross-border investment. Greater integration could provide significant opportunities for economic growth.
The importance of capital markets has been recognized in Turkey. Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, speaking after the Justice and Development Party’s victory in the Nov. 1 parliamentary elections, mentioned the need to deepen capital markets in Turkey so that companies can raise more equity domestically and offset some of the risks created by borrowing in dollars.
A new approach to economic policy is needed — one in which the public and the private sector jointly channel private resources to finance economic initiatives with positive spillover effects. The public sector has to maintain fiscal discipline, raise confidence, and create the right tools to finance the economy through private resources. Especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the lack of equity is dramatic in Europe, Turkey, and many other places in the world where they represent by far the largest part of the economy. The private sector needs to be forward-looking and open up to new ventures, business opportunities, and shareholders.
Today, the EU and Turkey face internal unrest as well as external challenges from Russia, the war in Syria and the resultant migrant crisis, and a slowdown in global economic growth. It is, therefore, critical for both the EU as well as Turkey to deepen their capital markets, carry out fiscal reforms, and promote economic and political stability to ensure long-term growth and enhance their ability to confront global challenges.
*Andrea Montanino is Director of the Atlantic Council’s Global Business and Economics Program where Samuel Dorshimer is an intern. | https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/finance-economic-growth-for-a-more-stable-and-secure-world-91418 |
Eight years after the eruption of the public debt crisis and having meanwhile implemented three consecutive economic adjustment programs, Greece is at a crossroads. Despite the Greek authorities’ statements about a ‘clean exit from the Memoranda’, public debate inside and outside the country and especially creditors’ views about Greece’s post-program period create serious concerns and uncertainty as to whether this coming August will mark a new era for the country. The economic conditions seem to reinforce these concerns. Despite notable fiscal consolidation, GDP growth remains subdued and fragile on the back of eroded private sector balance sheets, sluggish export performance, disinvestment and high unemployment. What prospects for the near future of the Greek economy?
1. Restoring fiscal solvency and credibility
Greece should immediately escape from the ‘solvency trap’ ensuing from its high and unsustainable primary fiscal surpluses and public debt. Brightening the country’s fiscal prospects – vital for re-establishing an institutional connection with financial markets – requires restoring its solvency and credibility profile. This relies on two crucial factors: First, a credible debt-restructuring scheme that would bring about a sensible time series of serviceable debt obligations. This, in turn, can only be achieved by a combination of sustainable primary fiscal surpluses and debt refinancing on private bond markets.
Second, a reasonable refinancing cost that would keep Greece’s cash outflows manageable, thus preventing a new solvency crisis. To this end, what is required is a credible reduction in the public sector’s gross financing needs, together with sustainable economic growth for years to come. Such conditions would allow Greece to gain continuous access to liquidity. The presence of a long-term liquidity guarantee mechanism could also reduce the cost of country’s refinancing needs.
Yet, the problem is that the current peculiar architecture of the EMU by no means provides such access to guaranteed liquidity. As is well known, the ECB lacks a fully-fledged function as ‘lender of last resort’, thereby failing to operate as a proper central bank of a functioning monetary union. Admittedly, a precautionary credit line could potentially offer Greece the safety net of liquidity guarantee. Using this tool, however, would be in place for merely a very short period of time. Consequently, it would fail to reduce the country’s credit risk in a market that usually trades medium- and long-term liabilities, especially if it is conditionally accompanied by new austerity measures. Thus, given the absence of some sort of European Monetary Fund, Greece’s safety margins for new borrowing would ultimately depend on its pending new financing architecture and its growth performance.
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2. Reviving economic growth
Gearing Greece onto a sustainable growth trajectory entails the full reversal of any recessionary dynamics and the activation of endogenous mechanisms of income and liquidity creation. This inevitably calls for the abandonment of austerity. Over the last eight years, the Greek economy and society have witnessed the detrimental consequences of neoliberal macroeconomic adjustment. Indeed, the neoliberal agenda has succeeded in doing almost nothing but in skyrocketing the public debt-to-GDP ratio, changing income distribution, causing a dramatic contraction of jobs, investment and economic activity, thus severely damaging growth potential. More worryingly, Greece has already agreed to adopt in 2019 and 2020 an extra set of austerity measures (i.e. further pension cuts and a reduction in the income tax threshold) ordered by creditors. If not suspended or even phased in progressively, these measures will trigger a new recessionary shock, thus putting strains on Greece’s solvency in the markets and hence on its debt refinancing costs.
Given Greece’s feeble productive capacity and insufficient export performance over the past few years, investment and households’ disposable income are today the only available sources that could endogenously create growth, income and liquidity flows and restore financial stability. Yet, despite its indisputably positive effects, investment is at the same time the most erratic macroeconomic variable. Thus, stimulating investment has nothing to do with wishful thinking or appeals for foreign direct investment. This approach is arguably far from being a part of a coherent short-term growth strategy. In fact, the grim business, financial and macroeconomic landscape today in Greece does not leave much room for optimism for a quick rebound of investment spending any time soon.
Against this backdrop, the only real option currently available to stimulate effective demand and growth is the rise of disposable income. For that reason, Greece urgently needs new and high quality jobs, along with an increase in employee earnings and a reduction in households’ tax burden. In this context, the increase in the minimum wage, coupled with the restoration of collective and sectoral agreements, could become highly instrumental in expanding GDP, improving the country’s solvency and credibility and thereby lessening debt refinancing costs. Unfortunately, creditors’ obsessive rejection of this policy option reveals their failure to realize the current state and idiosyncratic features of the Greek economy. At the present juncture, this obsession is not only unreasonable, but also detrimental given creditors’ stated intention to take Greece out of the bail-out programs and lead it towards market financing.
3. Overcoming insurmountable institutional obstacles
All indications suggest that in the coming weeks Greece will not be granted debt restructuring of the type and scale required to restore fiscal solvency and sustainability. This is, however, not surprising in the current architecture of the EMU and the existing balance of power within it. Besides, the option put forward by Greek officials of a ‘clean exit’ and a return to market financing conceals serious pitfalls since it would sooner or later build up a privately-held structure of public debt exposed to higher financing costs, thereby sustaining Greece’s credit risk and policy constraints. This danger is considerably inflated by the absence of appropriate liquidity guarantee institutions in the EMU, as well as by creditors’ obsession with austerity that damages the country’s growth prospects.
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Hence, it is highly probable that the post-program surveillance framework for Greece will manifest its ‘growth wisdom’ merely by monitoring the implementation of all the pre-agreed austerity measures, in a futile anticipation of their “confidence-boosting” effects. Besides, this purely political choice will obviously block employment of the sorely needed endogenous income-generating mechanisms in the country, thereby further impairing its growth performance and financial stability with detrimental effects on public debt refinancing costs. The extent of these macro-financial repercussions will eventually define the scale of the cost to Greece in the coming months, but also the scale of the credibility crisis in EU economic governance. | https://www.socialeurope.eu/august-2018-new-challenges-for-eu-uncertain-prospects-for-greece |
The global economy is finally emerging from the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, although with prospects diverging starkly across regions and countries, the IMF says in its Global Financial Stability Report unveiled Tuesday (April 6) in Washington, DC.
“Extraordinary policy measures have eased financial conditions and supported the economy, helping to contain financial stability risks. But those rescue efforts may have unintended consequences and sow the seeds of future financial market instability,” said Tobias Adrian, Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund.
“Continuing policy support remains necessary — but targeted macroprudential measures should pre-empt a legacy of vulnerabilities. Global financial conditions are still easy. But there is a risk that an asynchronous and divergent recovery — between Advanced and Emerging Markets — may result in tighter financial conditions and portfolio outflows in Emerging Market economies,” he added.
“For many Frontier Markets, access to funding remains a major challenge, given their limited access to bond markets. The corporate sector is emerging from the pandemic overindebted, facing high solvency risk. Meanwhile, in the banking sector, concerns about the credit quality of hard-hit borrowers and about the profitability outlook are likely to weigh on banks’ risk appetite,” Adrian warned.
The United States received a big upgrade in its growth prospects earlier Tuesday in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook. That has global markets concerned over a rise of US long-term interest rates, worried that a rapid and persistent increase may result in tighter financial conditions.
“The recent rapid increase in long-term U.S. interest rates has clearly caused concern among investors. While this move was driven by higher growth and inflation expectations, boosted by progress on vaccination prospects and the ensuing economic recovery, it also likely reflects uncertainty about the future path of monetary policy and concerns about the increased supply of Treasury debt to finance the fiscal expansion, Adrian said the report showed.
“A rapid and persistent increase in rates may result in a repricing of risk and a tightening in financial conditions at a time when valuations are stretched — and when the recovery may still be fragile. Such a tightening of financial conditions could interact with elevated financial vulnerabilities, creating knock-on effects on confidence and endangering macro-financial stability,” said Adrian
The economic trauma would have been much worse if the global economy had not been supported by the unprecedented policy action taken by central banks and by the fiscal measures implemented by governments.
“Looking ahead, continuing policy support remains necessary. But policy measures should also address financial vulnerabilities to avoid a legacy of structural problems. There is a pressing need to act,” Adrian urged.
“Addressing corporate-sector weaknesses and repairing balance sheets is a priority. Advanced Economies should tighten selected macroprudential tools to safeguard financial stability while avoiding a broad tightening of financial conditions, Emerging Markets should rebuild buffers, to prepare for a potential repricing of risk and a reversal of capital flows,” he recommended
The IMF, along with other international institutions, is ready to support troubled economies in the uncertain times ahead,” said Adrian. | https://mediacenter.imf.org/news/imf---global-financial-stability-report-april-2021-forecast/s/1f4acc61-24f7-4563-948b-924bd6a4cc74 |
In a curtain raiser speech for the recent IMF & World Bank Spring Meetings with finance ministers and central bankers, Managing Director Christine Lagarde noted better prospects for global growth, but also the need to build up counter-cyclical monetary and fiscal policy buffers ‘creating more room to act when the next downturn inevitably comes’. These policy tools, the IMF points out, can greatly limit the loss of output in future economic crises and recessions. This captures a consistent IMF theme since the global financial crisis—increased emphasis on counter-cyclical macroeconomic policies.
The Spring meetings are one key forum where the IMF performs its mandated role as conduit of international economic co-ordination, and its self-appointed role as global arbiter of ‘sound’ economic policy. Lagarde also advocated guarding against fiscal risks by ‘placing public debt on a gradual downward path … in a growth-friendly way through more efficient spending and progressive taxation.’ Her other key clarion call was to ‘Foster Long-term Growth that Benefits Everyone’. The advanced economies, in particular, need policy actions to tackle ‘disappointing medium-term growth’, which ‘would worsen economic inequality, debt concerns, and political polarisation’.
Advocating tackling inequality, progressive taxation and counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies are perhaps somewhat surprising elements of the IMF’s prescriptive policy agenda. A Staff member once noted that the IMF really means ‘its mostly fiscal’, an allusion to the Fund’s reputation for harsh loan conditionality involving spending cuts, fiscal retrenchment and budget deficit reductions as standard responses to economic difficulties and financial crises. Some interpretations argue that the Fund, after a brief flirtation with Keynesianism in 2008, reverted to pre-crisis fiscally conservative orthodoxy. In fact, as my new book details, the Fund’s role within the politics of austerity has been much more critical and heterodox than that.
My book substantially revises our understanding of the IMF’s economic policy thinking. The Fund’s reputation for conformity with one-size-fits-all neo-liberalism and ‘Washington Consensus’–style fiscal and intellectual conservatism belies its ideational innovation and more differentiated approach since the crash. The IMF has worked to redefine ‘sound’ fiscal policy and expand policy space for certain advanced economy governments, countering hawkish voices in economic policy debates.
The IMF has used its intellectual authority to challenge important elements of the pre-crisis economic orthodoxy. For a decade now, the IMF has consistently rejected the singular focus on cutting public expenditure to bring debt and deficits down, and has advanced the case for tackling inequality using macroeconomic policy – including increased social transfers and augmented progressivity of income taxes. The Fund has also recognised the instabilities and shortcomings of financial markets, calling for and operationalising stronger, more counter-cyclical financial regulation.
Back in 2008, Fund leadership articulated a ‘Keynesian’ market failure understanding of the crisis, focusing on deficiencies of aggregate demand, and on the destabilising properties of financial markets. The Fund’s re-emphasising of Keynesian insights into higher fiscal multipliers sat outside the normal policy ideas of most advanced economy governments. These had high policy salience given the conjuncture, yet they were not the lessons policy-makers had drawn from academic economics up until the crisis.
The IMF advocated coordinated global fiscal stimulus and then made a series of carefully targeted interventions in the ‘growth ‘versus’ austerity’ debate, deploying its intellectual authority and scientific reputation to advocate policies to escape threats of protracted deflation and ‘secular stagnation’.
Along the way, the IMF put down a series of intellectual markers, spelling out flaws in the ‘expansionary fiscal contraction’ thesis, highlighting the increased potency of expansionary fiscal policy and public investment under recessionary conditions, and underlining how fiscal consolidation can be self-defeating.
Economics and Ideology
As my book explores and reveals, economic ideas are always rooted in ideological assumptions about how the economy and policy work. Various techniques have been developed in economics to attempt to assess fiscal policy effects, but none is perfect. There are well documented difficulties of isolating specific fiscal policy effects, since factors other than fiscal policy have an impact on the economy, and growth has effects on fiscal policy as well as vice versa. No ultimate ’scientific’ judgement is possible and the economics profession is and always will be divided on this. In the background are underlying economic ideological views on the efficacy and desirability of public spending, state intervention, and public power playing a major role in the market economy.
There is a breadth, along a surprisingly wide continuum, of policy approaches reconcilable to ‘mainstream economic thinking’ – in the wake of the global financial crisis. Thus there is no one single ‘lesson from economics’ that policy elites can imbibe. Rather, there is a cacophony of voices, and a range of respectable academic economic opinion.
The ideological spectrum from advocates of ‘expansionary fiscal contraction’ to fulsome supporters of counter-cyclical fiscal activism covers a vast array of policy positions and prioritisations. Those seeking to adopt positions anywhere along this spectrum can seek and find corroboration from holders of Nobel prizes.
This gives sources of authoritative economic policy commentary such as the IMF scope to select, prioritise and choose within this menu of respectable economic thinking. This makes the selection of which economic ideas and insights are afforded primacy a highly significant and a deeply political process.
In this light we can better appreciate the political role played by the Fund in seeking to shape understandings of sound economic policy conduct in selecting and foregrounding particular rationales, insights and prioritisations when making policy recommendations. All of which is uncomfortable territory for a Fund keen to retain a non-political character removed from such ideological considerations, and to assert its intellectual authority as a source of scientific, technocratic economic policy wisdom. Whilst Lagarde’s speeches and Fund surveillance and commentary are always cloaked in scientific and technocratic parlance, how economic theory is invoked in economic policy recommendation is inherently political.
Yet since the high point of its post-crash influence in 2008-9, the IMF has struggled to sustain this level of ‘traction’ over policy-makers. This indicates limits to Fund efforts to wield ideational power through its surveillance activities. | https://www.ppesydney.net/the-imfs-line-on-sound-economic-policy-build-up-counter-cyclical-policy-capacity-and-tackle-inequality/ |
I am a professional wedding photographer....now. But when I got married, I wasn’t.
I literally knew nothing about what to expect from a wedding photographer. I was just a bride trying to save money, find good vendors and pay for all of it at the same time without going into debt. You too?
I learned the hard way on what I should have asked before I hired my photographer. I made assumptions and you know how that goes.
Follow these 7 steps to make sure you don’t make the same wedding mistakes I did.
HERE'S MY TOP 7: ASK THIS, NOT THAT
#1 DON’T ASK: How long have you been a photographer?
DO ASK: How many weddings have you done as the primary photographer?
This question gets you more to the heart of a wedding photographer’s experience. I’m not saying you can’t hire a newbie, just understand that all photographers are not created equal. Weddings are a unique event, it’s worth making sure you have someone that’s seen it all. A person may have been a photographer for years, but they may be new to weddings specifically.
My mistake: My photographer’s portfolio was limited. I should have asked to see more work.
My answer: After doing hundreds of weddings, I have learned so many things along the way. For example, I now I know where I need to stand in a Catholic mass during the Ave Maria song or to be ready for the glass smashing 'Mazel Tov' at a Jewish wedding. I know that I can push my shutter speed to a low setting for a dim lit ceremony, but I better have it back up for the race back down the aisle. It's the little things you learn over time. :)
#2 DON’T ASK: Have you photographed my venue before?
DO ASK: What’s your approach to photographing a wedding?
No experienced photographer should have a problem shooting a wedding at a new place. I actually find my creativity is stronger on my first visit. Seriously!
You do want to know their approach to how your day will go. Will it be directed or documented as if the photographer wasn’t there? Will they pull you aside for an impromtu photo idea or just follow the timeline? All this is important to set expectations.
My mistake: I ended up creating most of my own poses for our pictures and I personally would have liked a little more direction/input/ideas from my photographer.
My answer: I do a little bit of directing, posing and candid. During getting ready pictures, I might tell you to move your hand a little or look in the mirror. Family pictures are always posed, so you can expect that. Bride and groom pictures are usually more directed like walk this way, look back at me, hug each other, etc. We will do a lot of variety and different areas, so you have a lot of different types of pictures to choose from. And then finally, most of your reception through the final exit is documented as it happens.
#3 DON’T ASK: Will I get all my photos on a USB?
DO ASK: How many photos can I expect to receive on my USB?
This can vary widely. In my circle of photographers, I know many firmly believe in delivering a set number of images and others give a range. Who knew? When I got married, I was naive and thought I would get it all!
My mistake: This was the biggest one for me. I received 200 images. I know there were more and I wished I got to see them.
My answer: I typically deliver about over 100 images per hour. So a typical 6 hour wedding will regularly receive over 600 images. I've had couples with really long weddings receive over 1,500 images. I would never dream to limit the full extent of what I captured. It’s all yours.
#4 DON’T ASK: Can you work with a dark venue?
DO ASK: What type of lighting do you use during a wedding?
Truth is, most wedding receptions ARE dark. I know there are natural light photographers that are terrified of using flash or working in this type of setting. You want to find out if your photographer knows how to use flash to bring light in where it's needed most. Make sure your photographer has a plan for lighting your venue and that it doesn’t involve a pop up camera flash. This will ensure that your reception is lit with dimensional, interesting light that lets you relive exactly how the wedding felt.
My mistake: Our ceremony location was extremely backlit and my photographer didn’t have the lighting capability or experience to overcome the silhouette effect.
My answer: We use the highest level full frame cameras, lenses and off camera lighting to make sure light is never a problem, no matter the venue. We typically set up 1-2 off camera flashes on stands around the room to get the light coverage that is needed. We will also use on camera external flashes to fill in the other remaining dark spots. Off camera lighting is essential for getting unique night portraits!
#5 DON’T ASK: How much are your packages?
DO ASK: Do you have any current specials?
Most photographers will have their wedding packages and pricing on their website. If not, usually they will list a range. I personally believe in full disclosure and so what you see is what you pay, complete with specifics on what you will receive. It’s so funny how many people send a message from my site asking for pricing when it’s all on there. Photographers, can you relate?
After you browse the wedding packages, then, ALWAYS ask what the current specials are. They may seem like they are out of your budget, but you never know unless you ask!
If you have a special scenario like a weekday wedding or you’re a veteran, it never hurts to ask if there is a discount for you.
Pro tip: Love their work, but not the price?
Ask if they can adjust a package to remove something and lower the cost.
My mistake: I went with the cheapest photographer instead of one who I loved and was confident in their portfolio.
My answer: More often than not, I have specials going-- anything from a discount for weekday weddings, deals for my sisters of Kappa Delta Chi or just a general discount for a limited time. I get couples all the time that see my site and think my prices are out of their range and never contact me. But the ones that do, most of the time we can create something that fits us both perfectly. I offer regular discounts for states/countries that are new to me, veterans, and teachers. Ask.
#6 DON’T ASK: Do you edit the photos?
DO ASK: What’s your process for our processing our photos after the wedding?
You want to make sure you receive edited photos and this takes time. Believe it or not, there are photographers that shoot and deliver without even editing a photo. And then there are others that over edit like a crazy Instagram filter.
Make sure you look at their portfolio and it has an overall look that you like. What you see is what you are going to receive.
If you want a bright and airy style, mention it up front. If you’re looking for dark and moody, make sure it’s something they can do. Ask specific questions about photos in their portfolio that you like and if they can be recreated.
My mistake: My photos were edited with unnatural colors and vingnettes when I wanted more classic.
My answer: I edit them all, literally all of them, in a very natural way. My normal processing style is generally colorful, but I have also edited weddings in a airy or trendy dark style by request. I edit in both Lightroom and Photoshop and I can remove your pimples too. Just call me Dr. Pimple Deleter. LOL.
#7 DON’T ASK: What’s your photography style?
DO ASK: Can you show me some galleries of full weddings from beginning to end?
You will certainly be able to tell a lot more from seeing a full wedding from beginning to end --the type of photos you receive, how details are handled, what family pictures look like. If someone explained their style as fun, timeless or classic, it will be less clear than seeing a group of silly groomsmen or an elegant bridal picture.
With a full gallery, you can see lighting, style, the posed/candid ratio, and the overall emotion from the day. And it’s definitely bonus if you can see a complete wedding from your actual venue which will really help you to visualize your own day.
Every wedding photographer and venue put their best highlights on their websites, so it is good to see what the rest of the moments look like as a part of a full package.
My mistake: I only saw a handful of images from my photographer's portfolio, so I didn't realize I needed to see how she handled the whole day.
My answer: I am happy to send you my full wedding gallery site so you can view away.
Other Great Questions to Ask
Do I get printing rights?
What happens if you are unable to make the wedding?
Do you offer a payment plan?
Can you help me plan my timeline?
How much time is needed for pictures after the ceremony?
Do I need a 2nd photographer?
How long will it be until I receive all my edited photos?
Do you charge a travel fee?
What is the deposit to reserve my date?
Can you help with videography?
Can we meet? | https://www.tiffanyhopwoodphotography.com/post/ask-this-not-that-don-t-hire-a-wedding-photographer-without-asking-this |
As soon as all preparations have been made and the event has been selected, this page opens in the app:
- Connection: Check if the app is connected to the internet (= top left green)
- Photographer: Check if the correct photographer is selected (otherwise log out again and log in again).
- Enter the photo number (from the photographer's camera) to be tagged (e.g. 1 for photo number 0001).
- Set nametags: Click on "Set Nametags" for photos on which persons are to be tagged. The tagging window will open (see below).
- Stop nametags from here: For photos that should not be tagged (e.g. impression photos) click on "Stop nametags from here".
- Percentage bar: A general overview is displayed, how many persons (percentage) per category have already been tagged.
- 2 Do List: Click on "2 Do List" to open a page with the guest list. If a person has already been tagged, the photo number(s) will appear behind their name. At the bottom of the page you can click on "not tagged" to see the names of all persons not (yet) tagged.
- List of Nametags: An overview of all photo numbers that have already been tagged appears here, including the tagged persons.
Here you can click on the photo number to adjust the tags or to change the photo number afterwards.
This is how you tag a photo with people (connection to Set Nametags):
- Tag the people in the order they appear in the image (from left to right). Search in the search field for the desired person(s). They are displayed if they have already been uploaded as participants in evenito.
- If a person is not on the guest list, it can be added manually via "Add new Participants".
- If the data of a person should be adapted, click on the edit button.
- If a tag should be deleted, click on the recycle bin.
- The order of the tags can be changed by drag & drop.
- Click on save (top or bottom right) as soon as the nametags have been set correctly.
INFO: If several photos are taken by the same persons, these persons only have to be tagged at the first photo number. The nametags are automatically repeated until the next photo number that has a tag or stop nametag.
After the tags have been saved, the start page of the Nametag app appears again. Enter the next photo number that should be tagged and set the desired tags.
Tip: After the last photo, check that the app is still connected to the Internet (left) and right click on "Sync" to make sure all nametags have been saved. | https://support.evenito.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360012345899-Manual-Nametag-App-Live-Tagging |
The term “editing” is often confused with “post-processing.” Editing is the act in which a photographer selects his or her best images and lays out their images in a sequence that he or she feels best tells a story. How can a photographer decide which images are their strongest and get rid of the weaker images?
Video Lecture:
Required Readings:
- Eric Kim: “The Importance of Letting Your Photos Marinate”: Link
- Eric Kim: 15 Tips How Street Photographers Can Better Edit Their Work: Link
- Nick Turpin: “Edit, edit, edit”: Link
- Editing your portfolio by Zack Arias: Link
Experiment:
- Go out for an entire day and go shooting. When you go back home, select your best 3 shots. Then go back to your portfolio and select the best 3 shots you have ever taken.
Further Study: | http://www.streetsihavewalked.com/learn-street-photography/part-08-how-to-edit-your-work/ |
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Showing results for tags 'crop'.
Found 3 results
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Crop photos / images
sydneyshan posted an idea in Penultimate RequestsI would love to be able to crop photos I've taken via the camera - there's usually excess content in the image.
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First of all, it took me forever to find out how to crop a photo in Evernote. Put "crop photo" into the Search menu and nothing really relevant pops up. Please fix this. You call it "annotating" a photo. I call it crop. Ask any photographer if they annotate or crop. Second, if I have to crop, say, 30 photos, for instance, I have to manually pick each photo from the annotate menu, do my crop, save, go back to annotate menu and repeat. You could cut down on the number of steps required if I could just go to "next" photo (EN automatically saves my previous crop) and do my adjust. Next, adjus
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A few months ago, you could long press an image to crop, after cropping there will be popup that will ask whether you want to replace with new image. Just 3 steps: 1) Long press, 2) crop, 3) click yes to replace Now its 9 ***** steps 1) Press to view, 2) menu button, 3) edit, 4) after cropping click back button to go back to evernote, 5) Long press image 6) delete 7) Add attachment button 8) Click photo option 9) Select the new image to add Can you add back the old function? | https://discussion.evernote.com/tags/crop/ |
There are many different ways of processing photos in the development phase in order to improve them without having to resort to drastic measures. Some of the most common methods include removing the “red eye” from portraits or softening a harsh light source. HDR or high dynamic range is another method that is becoming more and more commonly seen in photos. However, there are many ways to handle photos in processing to achieve interesting effects. One of those methods is called photo stacking.
Photo stacking is a trick used most frequently with macro lenses in order to achieve a balanced depth-of-field. In order to make this work, the photographer needs several photos of the same subject but with the focus of each photo on slightly different points. To make that work, the photographer will often use a tripod since stability is absolutely crucial to laying the photos together in an editor in later steps. Once the photographer has gotten all of the images he needs, he can then proceed to the next step: editing the images into a single photo.
Using a computer, the photographer can open all of the photos into a single file, layering them and adjusting the layer settings as needed. Programs like Photoshop have an auto-align tool that can help a photographer get the layers lined up correctly so that there are no gaps or jumps between them despite each layer having a different focal point. Photoshop can also process the layers into a stack which will allow the photographer to paint back or forward a specific layer in case the auto-alignment was less than perfect. Once the stacking and the layers are arranged in a pleasing manner, the photographer can then continue to edit and process the photo as needed.
Photos that make use of stacking are often quite beautiful to look at. In some cases, the photo looks almost unreal in its beauty and detail. Below are a few images that make use of this technique to great effect. If you decide to give this trick a try, please share the results with us over on our Facebook page! | https://www.beachcamera.com/blog/post-processing-techniques-photo-stacking/ |
Design site photographyработы
Нужно перевести с английского 5 статей по фотографии, фактически удобнее всего перевести транслятором на [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] или другим, и отредактировать результат. Очень желательно знать терминологию по теме фотографии. Ссылки на статьи ниже. Постоянные подобные заказы в случае хорошего результата. [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] [войдите, ...
Требуется создание логотипа для авиационного фотографа 1.Логотип должен обыграть тему фото и авиации. Возможны варианты когда обыгрывается только тема авиации на основе названия сайта для примера логотип "[войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL]" 2. Содержать текст - [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] - постарайтесь избежать темы рукописных шрифтов излишних завитушек и тп 3.Требуется лаконично...
PLEASE FILL THIS FORM in order to apply for this job [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] The freelancer who has experience in Content Creation. The project will go for 30 days and the person who achieves fantastic results can be hired for future projects. Experience in maintaining and blogging, article writing, photography, videography, online commentary, the maintenance of social media accounts, an...
I need someone to alter some images.
the photographer our business model. where is the best photo gallery recent posts by Page photography environmental studies and birthday, party and others
I have written an essay on my photography journey and incidents. Need a devoted freelancer to edit the essay and make the following changes: 1. Spellings 2. Grammar 3. Use Better Words 4. Add Transitions and make a flow (important) I need the essay before the next 10 hours. If you are committed, kindly send a proposal. Essay: [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL]
Hi Rhiannon, I need a short answering machine greeting recorded. Would you be able to do that for me? "Hi there, you’ve reached our video and photography studio. If you need a quick response, please shoot us an email or enquire via our website. Otherwise, please leave us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible."
I need some graphic design to make a basic photography poster
I want Photography logo design
At FXhome, we produce the very best filmmaking and photography software for content creators and photographers all over the world. We’re the multi-talented crew of coders and creatives behind HitFilm, Ignite, Imerge and Action Pro. We have a fantastic opportunity for a Motion Graphics Artist (CONTRACTOR / FREELANCER) to contribute to our award winning products and help deliver on our missi...
We (the media department) are looking for a new logo. The logo should show that we work in different sectors: photography, film, advertisement and marketing It should look modern, professional, light (by light we mean that it should NOT look clumsy). The logo should contain the letters "TMD" or the words "The Media Department". The letters can be written in lowercase letters /...
The Project is Online Store to sell homemade Light Meals, Snacks, Desserts and juices in Qatar. Requirements. 1- Design Logo: a. Submit 3 initial Designs samples to choose from b. After work finished, I expect to receive open sources of the Logo Design and open Editable PSD or alternative c. High Resolution JPG/PNG Logo Files. d. High Resolution Mockup for Printed Logo on A3/A3 for me to print it...
Hi, I will be launching new products, thus need professional photos taken and video shoot of its installation etc. Pls contact me on chat ONLY Note: Strictly Offers from Melbourne only.
I run a photography based YouTube channel .So,I need a logo designed for my youtube which will represent both YouTube and photography. One with good sample image will be given [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] it to be done urgently Thanks you.
Hello. My name is Alvin, and I need a photographer who can take multiple 360 degree photos of a few train stations in Tokyo. If you do not own a 360 degree camera, you may rent one for 1-2 days, and I will reimburse you. A map detailing all the locations where I need the photos taken will be given to you so you know exactly where to go. This is a low skill job that only requires a basic und...
Important Hyper-Growth Marketing company located in the United States is looking for an experienced visual storyteller that can create video content by editing camera footage, utilizing dialogue, graphics and special effects. The role requires building relationships with our clients as well as covering our own in-house video needs in order to create videos for use on our/their websites, blogs and...
I need a SEO friendly content writer for 6 pages of content on 2 websites (both websites are photography relates with same genre of newborn and family photos, one will be for luxury services , the other will offer More economy packages). Need contents written in different tones that will appeal to both groups of audiences, with great attention to SEO.
Hi! I'm in need of 3 lifestyle product photography photos total in a modern home setting. The product are pots for plants that come in a set of 3. Plants will be needed as props but if you're local to the Bay Area, I can provide that for you. I am looking for bright warm and welcoming photos with a setting that goes well with the color theme of the pots.
We're looking for a freelance photographer based in the UAE to do e-commerce product photography, editing and at times videography. Your physical presence for photography will mainly be required in Dubai. Kindly drop us a message if you have what it takes!
****This is a local in-house job located at Carteret, New Jersey**** ****Once a week only > the flexibility to choose any days (Monday through Thursday)**** Job Requirements: Take close-up pictures of products using various shooting angles. Professional photography equipment available for use on-site (camera, lights, turntable, backdrops, and remote) Must create filenames and upload them in ...
I need a logo designed for my photography website [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL]
Need a photographer in Toronto area for fall shoot. Shoot will be just of maximum 1 hour.
Create Facebook |Instagram Ads For Prewedding Photography | Target High Net worth Individuals | Do not Bid If you can't target HNI clients. Instagram Ads should be able to increase real traffic driven followers in Bangalore
Write A Blog On Below Topics - Unique Content | Duplicate Content will be rejected | 500 words for each title Title The Significance of Wedding Photography Know The Benefits of Professional Photographers Choosing between unethical and Professional Makeup Artist In Bangalore Why does you need a Fantabulous Maternity Photoshoot In Bangalore? Reason why you should hire best Pre Wedding Photographer...
I need a logo designed. photo editing video editor
The event is a food truck park launch party. the website is [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] colour code is: 86d2e9 Light blue #FFDEEA Light Pink Yellow - #FFBD14 Event details: Date: 28 November 2020 Time: 12pm-10pm (launch party starting at 7pm) Location: 128 Wellington St, Collingwood Event description: Melbourne's newest and most exciting food truck event on every weekend this summer i...
Start up for small drone business, aerial photography, inspection, mapping etc. the business name is Aerial Birdseye
Looking for someone to update my social media page, two ads per week, I will provide photography content.
We are currently designing our Photography website that requires content writing specifically to improve seo rankings and for seo optimizations for titles and descriptions as well. Apart from website content we require blog write ups every month.
I am interested in a photographer who has experience in detail fashion photography who owns a studio and would prefer if has models for fashion photoshoot. Prefer someone who is in San Fernando Valley or close by.
Hi Everybody, We are a photo studio Rental and Photography Services looking for rank on google and bing. Important provide a 3 current clients in the USA that we can confirm your work quality. Best bid will be answered. Thanks in advance!
GLRA -German Leprosy & TB Relief Association, a non-profit based in Delhi, India is looking for a Delhi- based photographer cum videographer to shoot their projects spread across various parts of India. The photography project will start in Delhi. The photographer will be required to do the following: 1. Still photography of project activities 2. Portrait photography of beneficiaries/...
Hi there, I need someone to check & repair the code on my Stock Photography Homepage slider: [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] My developer's been working on it for over a month now & it still isn't working properly. I have no idea what he's doing wrong, but I'm tired of asking him to fix it & getting different problems every time. It should be a very simple 6 phot...
You have to do image editing & make that product virtually ready & it can be uploadable on amazon & other e-commerce
This project is for a photographer for take shoots of every step of a napkin fold for 7 designs ** yes i cant edit the title that says 10. it is 7 designs required You are required to source your own Napkins - Need the high starch/still napkins for a good look You are required to photograph every step/fold to create the napkin folds below The final deliverable will be 7 high quality/ high res ph...
***Experienced Real Estate Editors Only Please*** PHP 25,000 p/m + (CT Trained is preferred) This is NIGHT SHIFT Australian Photography Editing Company, seeking new talented photo editors. We also do Floor Plans & Virtual Furniture The role: - 100+ Images Per day - Ongoing full time position with Australian Based company - Room for growth in the business - Future office space will be provid...
I run a personal PR company that provides clients with brand makeovers, PR & Media Publications, Content Creation, Logo Design, Branding Kits, Public Relations & Brand Image, Social Media Strategy & Consulting Instagram & Facebook Verification, Search Engine Optimization, Press Release Writing & Distribution Product Photography & Videography. I specialize in Instagram growt...
I need a logo for our drone photography and video business named: InSight Aerial Media LLC There are no color limitations, this is open for the designer to select, but please try to limit the # of colors to no more then 4, and the design must work as a single color image as well. FFA authorized commercial drone company. The goal is to create something simple and conceptual, without depicting l...
I need to have scenes created such as the one in the link below for product placement: [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] there are other examples I can give but the applicant must be able to design/sketch scenes, create them in paper/ leather as show in the link above, photographed and edited. Then the displays must be shipped to me also as well as the images
I need a photo editor who will bulk edit a batch of wedding photos (up to 400 at a time) but then also go through and do a pro edit on about 20 to 30 photos. This will be a recurring gig since I have a photography business but not much time to do my photo editing and retouching.
I'd like to update my logo for my writing and photography business. The logo needs to be flexible enough for both children's and adult publications. I've attached samples of the old logo (25yo!) business card designs so you can see why it needs a fresh look. Needs to be usable as B&W or color. Open to all ideas and design styles. Clever and clean are best. Any questions, please ...
photography and videography for all needs
I need a model for photography. I will use these photos to create a portfolio and sell as an agent.
This is a photography app, that generates sentences in english. These sentences are dynamically built from a group of pre-defined variables, and so hundreds of potential combinations can be made. Only one sentence is generated, each time. Each variable is one of many: there are 8 "buckets" of variables. Each bucket contains a potentially limitless number of variables. The sentence gener...
I am the founder of a start-up The start up manufactures clothing for women. I need a digital and social media expert. The tasks are; - Set up consumer facing identity - Produce and manage content for marketing channels, including video, photography and print - Grow website sales - Update website with new products and product descriptions - Develop and drive social media strategy to grow traffic t...
poster Designs needed for a food photography please make sure you have experience dealing with food and can do [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] creative
photography is my hobby
photography
Family Photography Jpegs Photos
Looking for bloggers, writers for [войдите, чтобы посмотреть URL] Everyone has something to say and a story to share! Similarly, everyone wants to read, listen, and watch something they can relate too. MyBlogus is your platform to express Everything and Anything. Come on in – express yourself, share your thoughts, and pour your heart out here! We invite you all to share your stories, expe... | https://www.freelancer.com.ru/job-search/design-site-photography/ |
Six of me!
Challenge #20 in the The Creative Light Painter! series. Hosted by Lihkin.
Challenge has finished
Let's get a little creative and have fun. Submit a photo with six of you in the frame (i.e. use multiple exposure/ layers to capture six of yourself in the photo). You can shoot indoors (e.g. have one of you sitting on a couch, the other standing by the TV etc) or outdoors (e.g. in the parks, shopping etc). Since all the photos in this challenge will have six of the photographer, the creative placement of the photographer is what will stand out- so go wild! Edit: I have received a couple of emails requesting me to let people shoot a subject, rather than just the photographer. I would still prefer that you photograph yourself, but you can submit the image with another human subject (i.e. the photographer does not have to be in the photo).
Show full rules
Announced:
Friday, 2nd July, 2010 (GMT)
Submissions:
Friday, 9th July, 2010 – Thursday, 15th July, 2010 (GMT)
Voting:
Friday, 16th July, 2010 – Thursday, 22nd July, 2010 (GMT)
Processing rules:
Capture date rules:
Additional rules:
Maximum number of entries per user:
1
Maximum number of entries in challenge:
75
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submission
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8 entries
voting
phase has
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456 votes
|Camera:|
|Lens:|
|Submitted:||Tuesday, 13th July, 2010 19:58 (GMT)|
|Taken:||Tuesday, 13th July, 2010|
|Focal length:||6.2 mm|
|Shutter speed:||1/160 sec|
|Aperture:||F2.8|
|ISO:||200|
|Notes:|
|Views:||2125|
|Galleries:|
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HSKiray
Hi all,
Hi all,
First of all, thank you very much for your nice comments. This is my first work in this category. There are 7 layers on the photo. The very important things were light, shadows and reflections in the mirrors. Because all the photos were shot in the day light. I did some experiments before the shootings. And of course, the magic of the software I used. I am not a barber, but I liked it. This work was a funny for me. I am not a pro on the photography but I am a film director at the same time. That is why the story is very important to me. Thank you very much again.
Jul 24, 2010permalink
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Steve Throndson
On your first place finish. I'd love to know how you did it. It's a great image!
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A photographer I’m working with asked me yesterday if I think photographers can edit their own work well. I answered that no, generally, I don’t think they can. The answer was not about job security for people like me, who edit photography for a living. Honest.
Some photographers can edit their own work well. What distinguishes whether you can or can’t edit your own work is hard to say. I do know that the clearer and more dimensional you are in the type of pictures you set out to make of a given setting, the more likely you are to chose the photos that accomplish what you set out to do.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll recognize or value the surprises, photos that do something other than what you intended. Photographers tend to pass over their photos that were easy to make. And they overvalue photos that were very difficult to make or photos that gave them a great experience or included great smells or sounds - things that you can’t tell from looking at a picture. In the end, the photo is not about you, it’s a freestanding entity that exists independent of the experience or the person who made it - while at the same time, the photo is an expression of who you are and what you are capable of saying.
There’s also a tendency to chose the types of photos that you tend to make, or a tendency to respond to pictures that reflect how your eye sees. I noticed that this week with another photographer’s work, where one tighter edit she sent me tended to be one type of composition while a subsequent, much wider edit had all kinds of surprising and much more varied and dimensional types of compositions.
That’s why there’s value for me to see a whole take from a given scene, with the photographer’s choices from that take, to get a sense of how a photographer works a situation, to see if the approach to image making evolves with the scene - and other aspects of the making of pictures. Then seeing what he or she thinks worked from that take tells me a lot about whether there is a disconnect between the making and choosing of pictures.
I’ve also noticed in judging contests that each judge votes for a certain realm of pictures. One won’t see pictures that are outside of that realm and therefore won’t vote for any photo that doesn’t fall in that realm, on the first pass of the judging.
Sometimes, if another judge votes for a given image that moves forward to a second round, a judge who didn’t vote for that photo before will clue into what’s working in the photo and will vote for it. But it took someone with a different, and usually more dimensional eye, to pull the photo in the first place. That’s why it’s not good to have judges with singular and similar backgrounds on a panel.
It’s as if we all have filters over our eyes that only allow us to see certain types of pictures, either in the making or the choosing of images, or both. Those types can be simple or complex but there is definitely a limit to what we can see and therefore what we put forward.
How do you overcome the limiting aspects of your filter? Or, how do you better edit yourself. Well, you can hire me to edit your work. That notwithstanding, it’s critical to establish an objective evaluation of your pictures in the first pass through a group. I’ve spoken about this process elsewhere on this blog so I won’t go into great detail here.
You can use my approach, which is to gauge the level of success of each of these aspects: quality of light, color, moment value, composition and whether the distance from the subject is appropriate. If any two of these aspects don’t work, chances are the photo doesn’t work. But if any one or two really, really works, then the whole photo probably works well. And if all five work in a given photo, apply for sainthood immediately.
You also have to be aware or your tendencies, your filter. A lot of people tend toward center-based images or pictures where elements always split the frame and therefore only chose photos where that happens. Stop that.
And if you find yourself applying rules to pictures, stop that. Here are some rules I’ve heard people espouse with absolute sincerity: You can’t blow out the highlights, it must follow the rule of thirds, no blood, no snakes, you can’t cut off heads or joints, there should be no empty space around people, and on and on.
After photos clear the first hurdle of the five considerations and you’re no longer applying stupid rules to what you chose, you’ve elevated a set of pictures. Now move away from the objective and ask yourself if you feel something when you look at each of the photos you’ve moved forward. If the answer is yes, elevate the photos that elicit a response. If photos don’t, leave them and move on.
Continue to do this until you have elevated the photos that are most successful in the five elements and elicit the strongest responses. Then put photos next to each other that create an even greater response and put those next to others that create yet more of an experience and you’ve created a story, a book, a gallery show from a day, a week, a year, a life’s body of work that is now represented to its potential. Piece of cake. No sweat. But then, that’s what I do for a living.
Here are five pictures I made for a magazine assignment that illustrate the point of seeing pictures that capture the sense of what I was trying to convey from this restaurant. This is Gabriel Rucker's Le Pigeon restaurant, here in Portland. He's a cutting edge chef. He turns a French approach to food on its ear, in some cases a pig's ear. So the photos should feel different from standard fare. They should make you feel uncomfortable and yet want to be there, to see more and to taste.
See what you think. | https://www.michaelddavis.com/blog/2010/4/30/can-you-edit-your-own-photography.html |
Equal Rights and Independent Media (ERIM) looking for a photographer to work with us on an ad hoc basis, under the regional project “COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability”. The photographer will be responsible for documentation of various activities and events organized in the Republic of Moldova with possible field visits in local communities.
“COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability” is a regional project run by ERIM and funded by the European Union. The project aims to support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), independent activists and independent media to continue their work throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
ERIM is looking for an experienced photographer based in Moldova to support the team to increase visibility of its events. The consultant will be responsible to shoot and edit photo packages focused on work done under the “COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability” project which aims to support local CSOs and independent media. The photos will be used by ERIM and the European Union on websites, social platforms, promotion materials and in various multimedia projects.
The timeframe for this consultancy is 12 months, starting from February 2022, upon request.
Key duties:
- Take photos based on requests / photo shoot assignments. Photos should capture people in action and/or express the core elements of the situation assigned for coverage; in both horizontal and vertical formats; close-up, medium range and wide-angle shots, for example;
- Edit photos and present one photo package of up to 30 of the best photos per event / assignment. Editing is only limited to colour correction and composition. The photos will be transferred via google drive or any other cloud storage;
- Ensure the metadata information of each photo: date, place and location, subject names and age (if relevant), and brief description of the situation photographed. Information should be imbedded on the picture and in word document;
- Bring / use his / her own camera(s) and other supporting equipment(s);
- Deliver photo packages maximum seven (7) days after the event / assignment and to ensure no reduction in image
The photographer may need to travel to the project working areas with the ERIM team. ERIM will reimburse travel costs incurred for assignments.
Deliverables:
- Raw files of photos from each even / assignment;
- 30 best photos at highest resolution as jpeg (minimum 300dpi) per event / assignment;
- Consent forms for taken photos, if relevant.
Payment will be made after invoice and deliverables of each photo event / assignment are submitted to and approved by ERIM.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 3 years working experience in photography with a record of providing high-quality, creative, photos for clients.
- Have own camera or access to camera and other photography equipment.
- Experienced in capturing photos for local or international CSOs, development organisations.
- Flexibility and ability to work outside Chisinau.
- Fluency in Romanian (reading, writing and speaking) and the ability to understand and speak Russian well. English language skills are desirable but not essential.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
1. Letter of interest, stating (a) experience in implementing similar assignments in the past three years, and (b) Financial proposal with breakdown of fee on a per day and a per half-day basisin EUR currency.
2. Portfolio with examples of work with local or international CSOs, development organisations.
Interested candidates may submit the above-mentioned documents for this work to [email protected] by February 6, 2022. Please quote: “COVID CS R&S: Photography Services Consultant” in the subject line.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. | https://civic.md/anunturi/angajare/60614-erim-vacancy-announcement-photography-services-consultant.html |
Copy/Clone a listing and photos
To clone a listing:
Go to Add/Edit and click Add New (in the first section):
Select the property type of the new listing:
At the top of the Add a New Cross Property Listing page- click Fill From Existing Listing:
Enter the MLS number of the old listing in the MLS Number from which to Fill field and hit Fill From.
*** Note: You cannot clone from an INC listing ***
Many, but not all, of the fields will populate from the old listing. You need to go through all of the tabs (especially the Contract tab) and verify the fields that have populated, and fill in those that have been left blank. You may save it as Incomplete so you can work on it later, or save it as Active once all the required fields are filled in.
Cloning will not copy the photos from the old listing. You can copy the photos separately by going to Manage Photos after you have saved the new listing (the instructions are below):
To copy photos:
*** Note: due to potential photo copyright issues, it is strongly advised that you only copy photos from a previous listing if you were the source of the photos for the original listing. If someone else provided the photos, even if they are a member of the SmartMLS Verified Photographer Network, you are technically allowed to copy photos, but you must also have a license agreement with the photo source providing you the authority to use the photo(s) on the new listing. ***
You can only copy photos to a listing that does not currently have any photos on it.
You cannot copy photos from an INC listing.
Go to the Add/Edit and select the listing to which you want to copy photos.
Go to bottom of the Modify Listing screen and click Manage Photos:
At the top of the Add/Edit Photos screen, click the Click here to import photos from another listing link (above the Browse button) to import photos from an existing listing:
Enter the list number of the old listing and click Import. It will pull all the photos from the old listing. You may delete photos that you do not want on the new listing, or keep them all. Click Certify and Save when you are done.
You may only copy photos from a listing if it is within your organization.
Related articles:
Cloning a listing/photos from another organization
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment. | https://smartmlshelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004609732-Copy-Clone-a-listing-and-photos |
Lately I've seen a lot of hubbers complaining about the amount of time it takes them to find (or create) photos. Here's something I do that eliminates most of these problems that may help.
I take very few or my own photos.
Instead I use public domain sites like Pixabay and Morguefile among others.
I also use an editing program called Picmonkey that allows me to manipulate photos in all sorts of clever ways.
Once I have a basic photo, I place it in a folder made up of files.
There is a file for each photo source, and within that file are other files that are labeled for content. For example, I might have a file for Pixabay that holds files for scenery, men, women, tools, etc.
When I need a photo, I simply pull up the already edited photo and use it as needed.
Easy Peasy.
If I don't have a photo on file that will work, I find and edit a new one and then add it to the appropriate file.
Works great!
So we can't persuade you to become an amateur photographer?
Nope. What I'm doing works fine. Occasionally I take a few photos and use them, but they're just not as good as the others I find.
Thank you for sharing the important information
BTW, Snapseed is also one great app to edit photos
So you actually look for photos on a regular basis and keep a file of them, ready to use? Not a bad idea if you're looking for a particular genre. I never know what pic I'll need until I have a topic to write about. I do use those same resources you've named but not until I finish writing the article. By the time I write the article in the hubtool, I will have edited it several times and changed the theme slightly so I do the images last to fit the content. I think you're a little more organized than I am, TIMETRAVELER.
Well, it does help if you write in a niche, but even without doing that you can still set up photo files that will work and just slowly keep adding to them as you need different ones.
by John Hansen 2 months ago
I received this email from HubPages: Congrats! Your awesome article, A Creed for the Third Millennium, is eligible to be moved to RemedyGrove, a HubPages Network Site.... We have identified a few issues that need to be addressed before your article can be moved. We ask that you address the issues...
by Laura Schneider 5 years ago
Are we "penalized" if we don't follow the Hub Pages style tips? Are they requirements in disguise? If so, I don't think that's fair in all cases because it "dictates" how we should be writing our content. Also, in order to use an authentic photo, sometimes the photo might be...
by Jean Bakula 23 months ago
Has anyone at Hubpages ever received a bill for using an Artist's work or a Photographer's Photo on a a hub? And if so, how much? I'm curious, because I've written to artists about twenty five times during my time writing here to ask permission to use a photo, and not one of them ever...
by Paul Edmondson 6 years ago
We've been talking about leading photos in the forums and while it's not just about having a leading photo, it's about having a really great leading photo. We recommend this because we see these photos get shared a disproportionately number of times higher.The quote of the day "People...
by Ranger 1 9 years ago
I have be trying to insert photos at various intervals in my textual content to no avail.I have looked at other posts dealing with this same question, and their answers. None of them have worked for me. One person suggested it was necessary to build separate text capsules to do this. Another,...
by grousepup 10 years ago
Whitney05 always seems to include great photos in her hubs, and I'm wondering if she has some tips on finding photos, especially dog photos that are free to use. Anyone else who has tips for such free photos, would be appreciated for their advice.Thanks much.
Copyright © 2019 HubPages Inc. and respective owners. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. HubPages® is a registered Service Mark of HubPages, Inc. HubPages and Hubbers (authors) may earn revenue on this page based on affiliate relationships and advertisements with partners including Amazon, Google, and others.
Copyright © 2019 HubPages Inc. and respective owners. | https://hubpages.com/community/forum/336982/photo-tips |
- Don't let the viewers eye get lazy! Experiment with double-sided paper, full bleed images on some pages and negative space around others, perhaps look at changing the position of the image on the page - should it always be centred?
- Try not to overwhelm the portfolio with too many images from one project. Perhaps try one full page (hero) image and then a page of three or four images together.
- Think about the pace of your portfolio, avoid sectioning the portfolio images too heavily. So if you shoot colour and B&W, for example, don't put all the colour work together, mix it up amongst the B&W.
- The order of your images is important. Post bound portfolios allow you the flexibility to change pages & change the order. It gives you more control over the journey your images can take the viewer on than a loose box of prints.
- Try to be objective when editing. If you're showing multiple images from a single project make sure you aren't duplicating your narrative. Do two of your images show the same thing too repetitively?
Emma Taylor is a Creative Consultant and Director of Creative Advice Network
Luke Archer’s Tips
Tips for editing your personal work
- Is it a greatest hits edit? Or can you tell a story with the selection?
- Make sure your edit represents the entirety of the project.
- Balance types of photos: portrait, landscape, details, etc.
- If you have written an intro text, does your edit reflect what they are trying to get across?
- Think about natural opening and closing images – make sure you start and end on strong photos.
- Each edit is unique and there is no right or wrong!
Tips for introducing your work to someone on email:
- What makes the project contemporary or exciting?
- Be concise with what you write – don’t be vague or waffle.
- Stick to one project.
- Be professional yet personable in tone.
Extra tips:
- No dear Sir / Madame / To Whom
- No 3rd person.
- Flatter them – make it a unique email.
- Short and snappy – no bio.
- Don’t mention your photographic influences.
- Ask a question.
- Follow up – two emails then call.
- Spread Sheet.
Luke Archer is a photographer and editor of Loupe Magazine.
www.lukearcherphotography.co.uk
Virgilia Facey’s Tips
5 tips for editing your work for commercial purposes
- Create a cohesive selection of work that represents your photography and brand.
- Your selection should show a client what you could achieve for them.
- Share your work via links to website or an Instagram. When sending PDFs they should be no larger than an 8MB file size.
- Tailor digital portfolios according to client relevance and the type of photography they commission.
- Share as concise an edit of your work as possible when updating a client or pitching for a brief. Commissioners/ Art buyers look through many portfolios so it’s good practice to show the best and most relevant work quickly.
Glossary/useful terms or words to know:
Photographic Agency - Represent a roster of photographers and solicit their work for a % of fees paid. Roster - A collection of photographers
Photographic Agent - Works for an agency and will market the photographers to clients and handle the negotiation of rates and usage.
Portfolio – A digital or printed collection of images that represents a photographer’s brand and style of work
Brief – What the client hopes to achieve from a shoot
Treatment – A photographer’s response on how they would ‘treat’ or execute the brief. This will be a document consisting of the photographer’s own work, external photography references and words that describe how they will achieve their intentions.
Rate - The fee a photographer is paid. Usually calculated on Usage.
Usage - Where the images will be used. Defined by the below:
Medias - Websites, Social Media, Magazines, Brochures, Posters, Billboards
Territories - Countries e.g. UK, Europe, USA, Worldwide
Duration - Length of time the images will be used for e.g. 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 5, years, 10 years, In perpetuity
Agents or places to find them: | https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/content/editing-sequencing-emma-taylor-luke-archer-and-virgilia-facey |
Adventure photographer Alexa Flower (@a.little.wall.flower) is a self-taught, freelance photographer, working with Patagonia and other outdoor brands. She previously worked for Yosemite Search and Rescue, rescuing hikers and climbers. Flower also served as a Climbing Ranger, which entails going rock climbing for patrols, explaining climbing to the public and educating climbers on how to lessen their environmental impact while recreating in the outdoors. She has been rock climbing for 10 years, scaling Yosemite’s El Capitan 16 times, and finding herself in some beautiful places around the world in the name of climbing. We came across this image of hers and connected with her to learn more about how he she captured it with the Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 16-35mm f/4.
Photo by Alexa Flower. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/4. 1/640-sec, f/8, ISO 800
Adventure photographer Alexa Flower tells us the story behind her extreme photo from a climber's perspective using her Sony Alpha 7R III & Sony 16-35mm f/4.
The Scene
In January, a few friends and I traveled to Cienega de Gonzalez, a quiet village nestled in the beautiful mountains in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. These mountains attract nearby city dwellers from Monterrey who are wanting to escape the heat, and also climbers from all over the globe to scale their stunning, limestone walls. I was on this trip and shot this photo for fun, paired with the intention of submitting my best photos from the trip to Patagonia. Jen Poe, a good friend of mine who is featured in this photo, was attempting to climb this route bottom to top without falling. She wasn’t climbing to pose for photos, nor stop when I wanted her to. She was focused on her climb and I was to be a fly on the wall, desperately trying to not get me or my gear in her way and also adjust my settings continually to shoot a nice photo. It is fun this way as it captures genuine moments, and also creates a bit of pressure. I hung on a separate rope and could continually adjust my position on the wall, enabling me to take photos of Jen on different parts of the climb.
The Gear
I used a Sony Alpha 7R III with the Sony 16-35mm f/4. I knew that I would be fairly close to the subject and wanted to encompass the background to capture a sense of place. I also brought a 24-70mm f/4 to take photos when she was lower down on the climb.
The Shot – High Shutter Speed
For this particular image, my settings were 1/640-sec, f/8, ISO 800. I rarely like to use such a high ISO, however it was dark and rainy that day. I kept a higher shutter speed because climbing movements can be quick and dynamic, and I wanted to capture the energy in the movement, such as the swing of Jen’s hair as she moved her hand to the next crimp. Overall, I think I could have used a lower ISO, but there are many things going on at the moment, and I was more concerned about staying out of the way, the shutter speed and my focus. This camera has great tracking capabilities and is a wonderful feature that helped me keep Jen in focus while we both moved around the wall.
The Edit
I like to use Lightroom to process my images. I rotated the photo 180 degrees to emphasize the exposure of being high on the wall and to put the viewer in her shoes. I darkened the ground slightly to draw attention to Jen.
See more of Flower’s work on her website or her Instagram @a.little.wall.flower. | https://alphauniverse.com/stories/behind-the-shot-photos-from-the-wall/ |
7 Easy Tips for Shooting & Editing Great Photos of the Moon (VIDEO)
If you’re under the impression that captivating lunar photography requires advanced skills and specialized gear, this tutorial is for you. As you’ll see, even beginning photographers can capture great images of the moon by following seven simple tips.
Serge Ramelli is a French photographer specializing in landscape and cityscape images. He’s also a very popular instructor, and in the video below you’ll see why as he demonstrates how easy it is to capture and edit great images of the moon.
Ramelli discusses how to use the requisite gear, including a stable tripod, remote or self-timer, and the best choice of lenses. He explains why manual focus delivers the best results, and how to make sure your photos are tack sharp. The tutorial also includes important tips on arriving at a proper exposure when shooting the moon against a nighttime sky.
Before moving on to a quick demonstration of how to edit your lunar images in Photoshop and Lightroom, Ramelli provides some helpful suggestions on composition. You can find more great tips on Ramelli’s YouTube channel, and in a recent tutorial we posted explaining sharpening mistakes that every landscape photographer should avoid. | https://www.shutterbug.com/content/7-easy-tips-shooting-editing-great-photos-moon-video?qt-related_posts=2 |
Description:
Cityscapes - Zurich most beautiful Spots. The largest city in Switzerland offers many beautiful photo spots. Together, in a small group of maximum 3 participants, we will visit 3 of the most beautiful photo spots in the Swiss metropolis. I will show you how you can best photograph these locations. I support you in the search for the right composition, the camera settings and other techniques to create unique images. After the photo shoots, we will jointly develop the photos on the laptop and edit them into a great photo. In doing so, I'll show you various techniques on how to turn your cityscape photos into works of art.
Dates:
Friday, 29. January 2021
Friday, 12. February 2021
Friday, 19. March 2021
Zeit:
approx. from 14:00 to 22:00
Location:
Zurich
Number of participants:
max. 4 persons
What is included:
✅ Guided tour in English and German by a professional landscape and cityscape photographer
✅ Nonalcolic Drinks and Snacks included
✅ Theory section
✅ Intensive support by the workshop leader
What is not included: | https://manumo-photography.com/products/cityscapes-zurich-s-most-beautiful-places-photo-workshop |
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2016
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 4
- Website
- www.jasonpeguero.com
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Hello, my name is Jason Peguero. I am a freelance photographer and cinematographer working out from the Los Angeles area. I came from Digital Photography School after they closed down their forum page and I wish to continue to present my work online and to get critiques to further increase my craft as a photographer. I recently started working with 35mm film format and have absolutely love it. I can't wait to meet new people on here and to get to see great work!
Thank You!
Thank You! | https://www.thephotoforum.com/threads/hello-everyone.395615/ |
You might say, “My photographer doesn’t do the editing, they hire someone to do it or they outsource it to another company.” Well, then that increases their expenses! While they may not spend the time doing a task themselves they are paying someone to do it. And if they don’t edit your photos at all….well, you’re not getting your money’s worth are you? The same holds true for all ‘behind the scenes’ tasks. A friend of mine once passed this along to me during a discussion about business:
For my own business, I would say I spend, on average, about 70 hours on each wedding (including the couple’s engagement portrait session). While I do edit my photos, I have streamlined that process so that more time is spent actually serving my clients – getting to know them, meetings, emails, planning, and so on – so that my clients get more for their money. Isn’t that what everyone wants in the end? | https://www.fatchett.com/blog/2013/04/wedding-photography-costs-part-two-the-tangibles-time/ |
Ruurd Jelle van der Leij is a Dutch wildlife photographer who has been creating an ongoing photography project titled Frontals for the past ten years. The project features photos of birds taken from the front, and they’re absolutely hilarious. “I realized from the start that they made the birds look completely different,” says Ruurd. “From that moment on, I decided to focus on it and make sure I would have at least one frontal in each series. Some birds start to look like angry birds, some funny or even ridiculous.”
The photographer says that frontal photos can hide the extreme characteristics of birds, such as long bills, and completely change their appearance. “In owls and birds of prey, frontals are basically the normal way of looking at you, so they are only fun when they twist their heads,” says Ruurd. “I think only spoonbills are really much prettier when they show their great bill with yellow spots and tufted head.” He also adds that frontal photos allow the photographer to create unusual compositions from a photographic point of view.
See some of Ruurd’s hilarious frontal bird photos in the gallery below!
More info: rjvanderleij.nl | Facebook | twitter.com | Instagram
#1 Spoonbill
#2 Short-Eared Owl
#3 Marsh Tit
#4 Wood Pigeon
#5 Red-Breasted Goose
#6 Great Egret
#7 Black Stork
#8 Red Kite
#9 Great Bittern
#10 Waxwing
#11 Lesser Black Backed Gull
#12 Common Whitethroat
#13 Magpie
#14 Hawfinch
#15 Long-Eared Owl
#16 Bluethroat
#17 Kingfisher
#18 Robin
#19 Grey Patridge
#20 Bearded Tit
The post 20 Photos Of Birds From The Front That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud appeared first on DeMilked. | https://viralbandit.com/photography/20-photos-of-birds-from-the-front-that-will-make-you-laugh-out-loud/ |
Hello, people!
It’s Monday… So before you start reading this: GET A COFFEE!
Ok, I thought it would be cool to share with you guys my favorite Instagram accounts & I would love if you guys can comment bellow with your favorite ones.
When I sat down to write down this post, I was sure of 4 accounts but the other ones took some time. Finally after 3 hours I decided 15 accounts (10 South African and 5 International).
Hope you enjoy!!!
South Africans Instagrammers:
- Bradyn_Hopking
B is my boyfriend and is also my inspiration. Because of him I found a lot of passions that were hidden inside all my fears and insecurities. (Thanks, bean!)
I love his Instagram because he really puts love into his work. You can see that in every photo and that is rare! I also love his 15 seconds videos… I wish they were longer!
- Vaughn.Wright
What I most like about Vaugh Instagram is the way he sees the light. It’s very particular!
Vaugh’s editing is pretty rad too!
- DiaryofZach
I started following this account when Zach was in New York and I couldn’t stop liking all his night shoots. (He may think I am a bit of a stalker!)
What I most like about this account is that it seems like Zach will go till the end of the world for a good shoot and I admire that!
- Talyagoldberg
Talya is all about the pretty things, and you know, I LOVE PRETTY THINGS. I also like how she keeps her photos clean and simple.
Ps: She also knows all the cool things happening and it keeps me updated.
- Gracecharlottee
Grace is my favorite photographer and we work together all the time. I love to follow all her fashion shoots!!! I also love her editing and nobody edits the skin colors as well as she does!
- Hlonicoleman
I started following this account after meeting him on the #instawalk Woodstock. What I love about his account are the dancing photos! Yes! Yes! I love them all! Of course, all his other work is super rad but the dancing photos made me a fan!
- Cmeintjes
Christine is the founder of the Pretty Blog – That said, her Instagram is all about the pretty things. What I most like about her account is the way she photographers flowers! It makes me so happy!
- Roywrench
What I most like about Roy’s account is that every photo makes me want to go in an adventure! And is full of motorbikes and motorbikes are cool! I also love the color of his photos! Good editing skills!
- Jessbinxx
Jess and I share the love for the ocean. Her account is full of ocean photos and I love that! I also love how simple and colorful her photos are.
Very clean but amazing!
- Torie.Alexandra
Torie is my fitness inspiration! I love her Instagram because it has a lot of fitness tips and sequences to do at home. She also posts a lot about food and I LOVE FOOD!
International Instagram Accounts:
- Alexisren
First of all, let me admit that I spend a lot of time looking at her account. I mean, her and her boyfriend are like the prettiest people alive and they are traveling the world doing rad videos and photos.
But what I most like about her account is how much it inspires me in so many different ways – To travel more, to get fit and photo ideas! This is my number 1 account on Instagram for sure!!!
- Heavy_Minds
Ok, this is my DiaryofZach but from another country. What I most love about this account is the city shots! Keeps me dreaming of New York!
- Cocochicblog
She is incredible! I love her blog and I am probably her fan number 2 (I will leave number 1 for her mom!). I love how Stephanie takes her photos and I love how bright they are. Also, she has the best style ever, so she keeps me updated with all the fashion tips!
- Acupofkeen
This girl knows how to take photos! And her edit is what I most love about it! Nothing is average in her life… Even a simple photo of a cup of coffee looks cool!
- Dead.Shots
I don’t know where to start with this account. I mean, it’s incredible! The greys! And the lights, and the city! Oh, my..
Hope you have some time this week to go check out these accounts and if you interested please share with me your favorite ones.
Hope you have a beautiful week! | http://ashortgirlsworld.com/my-favourite-instagram-accounts/ |
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Workshop
Intensive Documentary Masterclass with Matt Black
Jul 2 - Jul 9 2019.
Join Magnum photographer Matt Black for this shooting & project development workshop at the Magnum Paris office
Organized into two intensive sessions and a one-week shooting assignment, this workshop will challenge you to push your practice forward, develop new ideas, create new images for a new or existing project, and edit and sequence your project into a zine/newspaper to be produced at the culmination of the workshop.
The...
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Events:Featured events
The Camera is God by Trent Parke
Jun 19 - Aug 30 2019.
Trent Parke’s long-term study of an Adelaide pedestrian crossing goes on show in Magnum’s London exhibition space
The project, The Camera is God, saw Trent Parke shooting on an Adelaide pedestrian crossing, at the same time of day, every day, for nearly a year, capturing pedestrians waiting for the lights to change, bustling and jostling, yawning, fighting, shouting. Parke used a shutter release firing......
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Workshop
Intimate Storytelling Masterclass with Bieke Depoorter
Aug 16 - Aug 21 2019.
A five-day masterclass on personal storytelling in Beijing, in partnership with Light Society.
Join Magnum photographer Bieke Depoorter for a five-day masterclass on personal storytelling with photography.
Bieke Depoorter is a photographer who works intimately with her subjects, forming strong bonds or relationships often after chance encounters. She has also produced many projects that question......
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Exhibition
Jérôme Sessini’s “Territoires et Destins”
Jun 25 - Oct 25 2019.
The Magnum Photographer’s work goes on show at the Magnum Paris Gallery
C’est naître qu’on n’aurait pas dû
– Louis Ferdinand Céline
For photographer Jérôme Sessini, human fate is etched into the landscape. His images, spanning fifteen years of conflict reporting, underscore the inseparable relationship between people’s lives and the space they inhabit. This union is oftentimes bonded by violence.......
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Events:Featured events
Magnum Photos: The Art of Street Photography in New York
Jun 10 - Jul 10 2019.
A digital exhibition of iconic street photographs in collaboration with Westfield at the Fulton Center, New York
Westfield and Magnum Photos are pleased to announce a partnership to present a rotating digital exhibition of 47 historical and contemporary photographs from the Magnum archives dating from the 1950s to today, shown across fifty screens at the Fulton Center in Lower Manhattan.
“We are......
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Events:Featured events
The Medium is the Message: Magnum Pop-Up at the Barbican Centre
Jun 24 - Jun 30 2019.
A week-long series of free and interactive talks and events in the Barbican's foyer.
The Medium Is The Message
Technology and its impact on our world is arguably the most critical story of the 21st Century. Societal changes led by technological developments, are affecting almost every aspect of our lives.
Photography is uniquely placed to mediate the dialogue about man and technology as both medium......
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Events:Featured events
The Medium is the Message: Symposium
Jun 26 - Jun 26 2019.
An all-day programme of talks and discussions exploring contemporary issues in photography.
Magnum Photos and the Barbican Centre are pleased to announce an all-day symposium showcasing four panel discussions with Magnum photographers and invited guests, and two keynote presentations by speakers from the worlds of journalism and the arts. The symposium will explore four thematics closely related......
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... | https://mediastore4.magnumphotos.com/CS.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAXO31_2&FRM=SubHeaderFrame%3AMAGO31_13 |
If I had a quarter for every time I wished I had a time-turner like Hermione in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I would be one rich lady by now. The ability to be in more than one location at the same time would help me in so many ways! For instance, I might have time to work my day job, photograph concerts, edit said concerts, and have said photos up on Rockscope along with their accompanying Examiner article, in addition to putting them up on this blog.
However, a time-turner I do not have, and as such this blog has fallen into a bit of disrepair. This is what I’ve been up to lately, though:
My First Earthquake at The Rickshaw Stop: December 2nd, 2009
Holiday gifts for the concert photographer
La Roux at Cafe Du Nord: July 23rd, 2009
SF Concert Photographer Spotlight: Amber Gregory
Röyksopp at the Regency Ballroom: November 19th, 2009
So you want to be a concert photographer: tips and tricks for breaking into the business
So check those out & hopefully they can tide you over for the time being. I have a three-week break coming up around the holidays and hope to get caught up on editing and posting around that time, so stay tuned and I will deliver the goods eventually–I promise! Thanks for stopping by and happy holidays to all. | http://www.ambergregory.net/blog/?p=293 |
Photography is a vocation that has a lot to do with skill, perception of light, and interpretation of a theme by a photographer. That is the reason why each newborn photographer has his or her style unique to him. It is something innate which helps in differentiating one newborn photographer from the other.
Aside from the difference in skillset, one of the vital components of newborn photography in this age is the presentation and delivery of products. Yes, you can take spunky clean and beautiful photos, but how do you deliver them to your client in the best and convenient way for both yourself and the client.
In our previous posts, we have seen the most useful photoshop tips to perfect your newborn photos and the best ways to edit newborn pictures. These posts belong to the post-processing stage of photography. Now, we will consider the next step, i.e., delivering your newborn photos to clients. | https://tinypropshop.com/blogs/professional-photographer/best-ways-to-deliver-your-newborn-photos-to-your-clients |
With the free Photos for macOS software from Apple, you can manage, enhance, and share photos in a variety of ways. In this course, photographer, author, and educator Derrick Story takes you on a detailed exploration of Photos for macOS. Derrick starts with a quick-start introduction to taking pictures on your phone, then editing them with Photos and sharing them. He walks you through how to use the options available to you when you’re recording video. Derrick also covers several advanced iPhone camera techniques, such as switching among cameras, controlling the flash, working with ProRAW, and more. He covers each step of the process to edit pictures in Photos for macOS, then does the same for editing videos. Derrick offers some useful tips to enhance your experience using Photos, then concludes with resources to help you learn more. | https://bondibeachau.com/photos-for-macos-big-sur-and-iphone-essential-training/ |
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2009
- Messages
- 297
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Palo Alto, CA
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos NOT OK to edit
like many before i'm new here and to photography. my wife and i had talked about getting into photography as a hobby, then the wedding photographer we had was phenomenal, it was the final push we needed. | https://www.thephotoforum.com/threads/new-first-post-here.177047/#post-1701183 |
(1.) The full balance is required to book the session. This contract and the balance should be provided to the photographer within 3 days of receipt or the session date and time is subject to change. If the client cancels at least two weeks prior to the session, half the balance will be refundable (any client cancellation within two weeks of the session will result in the loss of the full session balance). If the Photographer fails to appear at the place and time specified above, the full balance shall be refunded to the Client. If the client is late for the session, the remaining allotted time will be used but not exceed the originally designated end time. Also, should the client be late for the session, the photographer is under no obligation to provide any refund, provide the originally agreed-upon number of photos, or complete the session at all. (2). Unless expedited editing is available, final images will be delivered within 14-21 days of the session. A $60 fee may apply to receive photos earlier. Final images will be delivered via email link, and may require computer download. The client will have 14 days to download the final images once received, at which point the online gallery will be deleted. Please note, once the 14 day period has expired, there will be no guarantee that your photos will continue to be available. Photos are often deleted off the photographer computer at that point. If they are available, A fee of $15 will need to be paid in order to republish the gallery. The Final image gallery will usually include the black and white versions of their color counterpart. Client should note that RAW or unedited files will not be available under any circumstances. The client will not have the opportunity to view any select any un-edited RAW photos, as this is considered as the Photographer's responsibility and perogative. (3). The Client shall assist and cooperate with the Photographer in obtaining the desired photographs, including but not limited to specifying persons and/or scenes to be photographed; taking time to pose for photographs at the Photographer's direction; providing a person to guide the Photographer to desired persons and/or scenes; pre-shoot consultations, etc. The Photographer shall not be responsible for photographs not taken as a result of the Client's failure to provide reasonable assistance or cooperation. Similarly, the photographer will provide direction, should the client desire, regarding clothing, hair, makeup, etc. The photographer is not responsible for client dissatisfaction with items outside of the photographer’s control (hair, makeup, clothing, body image, facial expressions, etc.). (4). The Photographer retains copyright in the photographs, and hereby grants the Client unlimited but non-exclusive rights to use or reproduce the photographs for which the Client pays. The client does not have permission to sell the photographs without the photographers additional permission. (5). Weather Policy- The photographer will follow the weather media closely in the week prior to the session and keep in contact with the client on any possible changes to the session schedule. A final determination by the photographer will be made no later than 24 hours prior to the session. Should the weather not be deemed acceptable, the photographer will offer a 2 alternative dates within the following 2 months. If the client chooses, they may be refunded in full (session and deposit) if the weather is deemed inappropriate by the photographer, and the alternative session dates are not acceptable. (6). Refund Policy- Should the client be dissatisfied with the photos, the photographer will work with the client to come up with a reasonable solution. Should a resolution not be found, the photographer may provide either a ½ hour mini session OR a refund of the deposit (1/2 the full balance) at the discretion of the photographer. Full refunds are rarely given, as there is time, effort, and cost already put in on behalf of the photographer in the way of commute, session time, equipment use, and editing time. Clients are reminded to look closely at the photographer’s gallery when deciding to book, as items like sun flare and high color saturation are considered a part of the photographers “style” and will not be compromised to suit client taste. Photos will rarely be “re-edited” once shown to the client. (7). Social Media and Distribution- The photographer retains the right to distribute, post, and share photos from the session on social media unless client directly declines in writing.
(8). Photo Alterations- No alterations to the photographs of any kind will be permitted. This includes but is not limited to "instagram filters", filters of any kind, black and white conversions, frames or collage applications (or similar), cropping or removing watermark, cropping of any kind, airbrushing, etc. Alterations of this kind may result in legal actions and a fine of $200 plus court fees. (9). The Client- Everyone included in the photographs will be considered the "client" and are therefore subject to the rules, restrictions, and laws set forth in this contract. The signer of this contract agrees to these terms on behalf of all those included in the photographs, and is therefore responsible for distributing these rules to the members of their party. Violations of these terms by any member of the signer's party will be subject to prosecution. (10). Injury Waiver- By signing this contract, The client HEREBY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING AND/OR VOLUNTEERING IN THIS ACTIVITY OR EVENT, including by way of example and not limitation, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault. The client certifies that he or she is physically fit, have sufficiently prepared or trained for participation in the activity or event, and have not been advised to not participate by a qualified medical professional. The client certifies that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude participation in this activity or event. The client acknowledges that this Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form will be used by the event holders, sponsors, and organizers of the activity or event in which he or she may participate, and that it will govern he or she's actions and responsibilities at said activity or event. In consideration of the client's application and permitting them to participate in this event, they hereby take action for themselves, their executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors, and assigns as follows: (A) I WAIVE, RELEASE, AND DISCHARGE from any and all liability, including but not limited to, liability arising from the negligence or fault of the entities or persons released, for my death, disability, personal injury, property damage, property theft, or actions of any kind which may hereafter occur to me including my traveling to and from this event, THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES OR PERSONS: Cassie Duffle Photography, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, representatives, and agents, the activity or event holders, activity or event sponsors, activity or event volunteers; (B) I INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the entities or persons mentioned in this paragraph from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity or event, whether caused by the negligence of release or otherwise. I acknowledge that Cassie Duffle Photography and their directors, officers, volunteers, representatives, and agents are NOT responsible for the errors, omissions, acts, or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of Cassie Duffle Photography. I acknowledge that this activity or event may involve physical activity, and may carry with it the potential for death, serious injury, and property loss. I hereby consent to receive medical treatment which may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident, and/or illness during this activity or event. I understand that at this event or related activities, I will be photographed. I agree to allow my photo, video, or film likeness to be used for any legitimate purpose by the event holders, producers, sponsors, organizers, and assigns. The accident waiver and release of liability shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law. I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL. Applicable Law: This contract shall be governed by the laws of the County of Oklahoma in the State of Oklahoma and any applicable Federal law. By clicking 'Submit', I have agree to the above mentioned contract and conditions. | https://www.cassieduffle.com/corporate-contract |
Freelance photographers often contact LegalVision about their copyright in commissioned photos. Whilst there are general rights that apply, each freelance relationship is different – it is best to contact a lawyer to establish what rights are available not only for photographers, but also by commissioning parties. For example, if photos have been commissioned for a private purpose such as a wedding, then the commissioner will retain the copyright in the photos.
Rights in Commissioned Photographs
If a photographer is commissioned to do work for another entity, the copyright in the photographs subsists with the photographer. Reproduction of any photograph will require the consent of the original photographer. Placing a copyright notice or watermarking a photo is a good way to indicate you are the original copyright owner. Remember, to operate as a freelancer, you must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
Freelancer Photography Rights
If photos are taken as part of employed work, for example, contractor work or doing a shoot as an employee, the employer will own the copyright unless there is an agreement stating otherwise. It is important to have a lawyer review a contract before signing. Such a contract will limit what a commissioner can use the photo for, and the rights of the photographer as the original copyright owner of the photographs. Using commissioned photos beyond the purposes originally agreed is a breach of the photographer’s copyright.
Copyright for Photographers
In the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), Section 35(5) is a provision which applies for photographs commissioned for a private or domestic purpose, where there is no agreement between the photographer and the client about who owns copyright. It states that if a photographer makes, for valuable consideration (a payment), an agreement with another person for the taking of a photograph for a private or domestic purpose, and the work is made in pursuance of the agreement, then the photographer is the owner of any copyright subsisting in the work by virtue of this Part. There are also special provisions for works made for, or first published by, a government (Commonwealth, State or Territory). The government owns copyright in the absence of an agreement to the contrary.
Photographs taken before 1 July 1998
The date the photograph was taken also affects who owns the rights in freelance photos, and when the client, rather than the photographer, was the first owner of copyright in a photograph in the absence of agreement about copyright ownership. If a photograph has been taken since 1 May 1969, and the client indicated purpose of photograph, the photographer can restrain use for any other purpose. Since 1 July 1998, if the client indicated purpose of photograph, the photographer can restrain use for any other purpose.
Conclusion
LegalVision has a team of great lawyers who can assist you in establishing whether you have rights in the photos you have taken. Please call our office on 1300 544 755 and our Client Care team will happily provide you with an obligation-free consultation and a fixed-fee quote.
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We appreciate your feedback – your submission has been successfully received. | https://legalvision.com.au/who-owns-the-copyright-in-freelance-photos/ |
There’s no denying that the job market is tough for anyone who’s not a photojournalist.
In the UK, where there’s no shortage of work, the average salary for a photo editor is £21,000 ($32,000) a year, and there are few jobs where you can say you’ve been a photographer for less than two years.
The job market for photojournalists is particularly tough, with companies including Facebook, Google and Netflix being forced to hire more than one thousand people every month, according to a survey published in the Times Higher Education paper.
One of the best ways to find a job in the photo editing industry is by applying to jobs posted online.
But that’s not always the best way.
While you might be able to find some jobs, many job listings are either misleading or are outdated.
Here are some of the most popular job search terms.
The following are some more tips for finding a job as a photoeditor.1.
Be realistic: The job search can be frustrating for some, and that’s okay.
Just because you’re looking for a job doesn’t mean you’re the only one who’s looking.
Be realistic and make sure you’re making a good case for yourself.
2.
Keep your skills fresh: Many people don’t have the same skills as others in the field.
You might have an art background, but your job as an editor might involve editing video and images.
Learn the fundamentals before diving into the editing field.
3.
Find a mentor: You can find professional help through the local photo editing community.
There’s a huge network of people, who are all looking for the same thing.
Make sure you have a mentor who understands what you’re trying to achieve.
4.
Learn how to do a job: When you’re out and about, take your photos seriously.
If you’re unsure about the right job for you, consider a photo-editing internship.
5.
Be creative: Take pictures that capture the mood and emotions of the people you’re photographing.
You’ll need to be able make sense of the images and explain the meaning behind them.
If your photos aren’t working, it could be because you haven’t taken enough time to prepare for them.
6.
Take your photos with a wide lens: Even if you’re a professional, you can’t expect to be a professional photographer just because you’ve got a good camera.
You need to make sure your photos look sharp and clear with a lens of at least f/2.8, as well as being able to focus with a long-focus lens.
7.
Find the right balance of time and distance: If you work from home, it might be tempting to spend less time with your job.
But if you do work from a studio or a shared workspace, it’s important to make time for the things that you enjoy most.
8.
Use your imagination: You need a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you want it to be seen.
Make a list of your ideas for how you can take pictures.
9.
Find someone who can help you edit your photos: If your photo editing job involves taking photos of different subjects, you might need a professional editor who can edit your work.
10.
Use a computer: Some people like to do everything themselves.
This is fine if you have an established studio or work from your home studio, but if you don’t, a computer will help you get things done faster.
11.
Use Adobe Lightroom: Lightroom is a great alternative to Photoshop if you want a more professional editing experience.
Lightroom makes editing photos easier by automating the process of composition and light-edits.
If it’s not available for you in your area, look for a paid subscription program. | https://biyutalent.com/how-to-get-a-job-when-youre-not-a-photographer/ |
Describe in a sentence who you are.
I am a hard working photographer. I am also a very honest and humble person that is easy to get a long with. I try to stay away from all the drama and negativity and to always maintain a positive attitude. I am very creative when it comes to photography and I feel like I have an eye for things that not most people do.
Where were you born, and do you still live there now?
I was born and raised in Elmont, NY. It's a small town in Long Island which is also where I currently live.
Did you go to school for photography or was it something you picked up yourself?
I am in the process of getting my Associates Degree in Photography and am also planning to continue my education with a Bachelors Degree.
How did you get into it?
I've always had an interest in taking photos but never really went through with it before. Only after High School did I really get involved in the car scene when I bought my Toyota Supra. I bought a camera just to take photos of my car as well as my friend’s, since I wanted to have proof of all the crazy stuff we used to do. Since then I really got into it and now I don't see myself ever stopping.
What’s your style?
I focus a lot on the location of the shoot and I also prefer to shoot at night. A nice backdrop on a clear night is a perfect shot for me.
How long have you been a photographer for?
I have been a photographer for roughly 3 years.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I currently use a Sony a77 and a850 with a Tamron 70-200, Tamron 10-24, and a Minolta 50 1.4. When I first started photography my mother wanted to buy my camera and all she could afford at the time was the Sony a230 when it was on sale. I started to buy more and more equipment from Sony and just stuck with them.
I use Adobe Lightroom 5 to edit all of my photos. I also shoot a lot of nightlife stuff and Lightroom was a lot easier to work with when editing a batch of photos like that. I just got so used to it and learned it really well that now I edit all of my photos in Lightroom.
Do you have any favourite locations for shooting?
Anything with a city background, preferably New York City.
What has been your most memorable assignment or vehicle/model to work with?
I was doing a photoshoot for one of my good friend’s orange Mazda RX-7. After we were finished he wanted a photo of him doing a burnout, but then the car caught on fire. You can see more of that here at http://www.stancenation.com/2012/04/25/500-hp-mazda-rx7-the-ups-downs/
What would you say to other enthusiast photographers out there who aspire to become a great writer/photographer/videographer?
Don't ever give up, always push yourself more and more. There is always something you can improve on. In this business you can never stop learning, so stay humble and try to avoid as much drama as possible.
List your experiences and credentials:
I was a photographer for:
Nyce1s.com
Stancenation.com
Leg1t.com
Formula Drift
I am also a part of the Lowered Congress team here in NYC.
Any finals words?
I am very passionate and dedicated to photography, I would be an excellent contributor that will not disappoint! | https://pasmag.com/features/people-opinion/ronald-corado |
- Here’s one photographer’s story of having his photo on the cover of National Geographic.
- Did you see this photo of Pluto?
- Do you want to edit Raw photos on your Android phone? Check out the new Snapseed update.
- Here’s more on the Light L16.
- Photographer Richard Peters shows that inspiration can be found in our own backyard. | https://www.photolife.com/2015/11/5-interesting-reads-174/ |
Cookin Castle is an online interactive website intended to teach and promote healthier eating and good food hygiene practices to children in Primary 4-7.
HWB 1-32a - I am beginning to understand that nutritional needs change at different stages of life, for example the role of breastfeeding in infant nutrition.
HWB 2-32a - I understand that people at different life stages have differing nutritional needs and that some people may eat or avoid certain foods.
HWB 3-33a - I can apply food safety principles when buying, storing, preparing, cooking and consuming food.
HWB2-20a - By applying my knowledge and understanding of current healthy eating advice, I can contribute to a healthy eating plan.
TCH 3-03a - I can explore and use the features of a variety of familiar and unfamiliar software to determine the most appropriate to solve problems or issues.
TCH 3-04a - I enhance my learning by applying my ICT skills in different learning contexts across the curriculum.
TCH 2-04a - I explore and experiment with the features and functions of computer technology and I can use what I learn to support and enhance my learning in different contexts.
TCH 1-14b - Having evaluated my work, I can adapt and improve, where appropriate, through trial and error or by using feedback.
LIT 0-14a - I use signs, books or other texts to find useful or interesting information and I use this to plan, make choices or learn new things.
LIT 1-14a - Using what I know about the features of different types of texts, I can find, select, sort and use information for a specific purpose.
HWB 2-15a - I am developing my understanding of the human body and can use this knowledge to maintain and improve my wellbeing and health.
Display Cookin Castle on the whiteboard/computer screens/tablets.
Cookin Castle can be used as an individual groups task or on a whiteboard as a class activity.
The pupils take the role of the family cook within Cookin Castle – the last cook has left the family in the castle feeling ill and their job is to make the family feel better.
The wizard provides a tutorial, written and audio, about how to play the game and encourage pupils to investigate the different area of the castle.
the titchen – choose what the family have for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and prepare and cook dinner for the family.
PE - discuss how food provides people with energy and how the body uses it.
Discuss nutritional needs for different members of the family.
Discuss food preferences and food allergies and the importance of reading food labels.
Spotting hazards in the kitchen using downloadable posters from the Teacher’s Tab.
Learn names of bacteria and the conditions required for them to grow.
Research various health conditions related to food.
Explore cooking techniques related to healthy eating.
Keep a food diary of their own for day/weekend/weekday - children can take photos of food as a visual diary.
Discuss the importance of hand washing and correct techniques required.
Discuss rationing in World War 2.
Discuss food labels and weights of food.
Discuss food shopping and money involved.
Draw abstract images of how food goes through the body.
Create a collage of different food groups.
Music - create music to mimic harmful or good bacteria.
Presentation of meal choices – peer assessment.
Create a menu – peer or teacher assessment.
Class quiz to show knowledge of facts covered.
Pupils aim to get a high mark for the store room section and overall high score following the kitchen section.
Pupils say why foods need to be stored on certain shelves of fridge. | https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/education-resources/cookin-castle |
Grocery Shopping Rules To Abide By
The grocery store can be a confusing place. It is easy to fall to temptation, go over budget, and sometimes return home with many items you had not intended to buy. The following steps will help you to properly navigate your way through the grocery store in order to support your healthy eating choices. These rules will also help you avoid diet sabotage. Also remember to never go grocery shopping if you are hungry because you are more likely to pick up temptation items or graze on available foods in bins.
STEP 1: THE SHOPPING LIST
Before heading to the grocery store prepare a comprehensive weekly shopping list. I recommend sitting down on a Sunday to plan out your main meals for the week, from there you can create a shopping list of all the ingredients/items you will need to make your healthy meals. You can do this on a scrap paper, in a notebook, on your iphone or even your blackberry.
Having a list will help you stay focused in the grocery store and avoid picking up “temptation items” that can be detrimental to your clean eating plan. Lastly, remember to stick to this rule: IF IT’S NOT ON THE LIST KEEP IT OUT OF THE CART! No shopping in the moment. That meals you should not fall temptation to even ond extra candy bar at the cash counter. Sticking to the list also helps you stay within your budget.
STEP 2: FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH THE GROCERY STORE
For the majority of your food items you will only need to stick to the perimeter of the grocery store. Processed foods and foods that contain sugar and startch are what is normally found in the aisles. Along the perimeter is where the fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, and whole grains can be found. You can venture into the aisles for food items like flax seeds, oatmeal, cooking oils, spices, or whole grains.
STEP 3: READING LABELS
Reading food labels can be very confusing and most people don’t really know what to look for. Follow these rules: | https://www.bodyrock.tv/blogs/bodyrock-store-blog/grocery-shopping-rules-to-abide-by |
Taking a trip to the grocery store can be your opportunity to stock up on healthy food for the week. It can also be stressful and annoying to the point where you dread going every week.
Here are a few ways to help make your trip to the grocery store a success:
1. Make a meal plan.
How many times have you arrived at the grocery store only to wander the aisles wondering what to buy? Trips like this often end up with you buying a cart-full of food only to get home and realize that you don’t really have anything to eat. The best way to ensure that you’re making good food choices at the grocery store (and throughout the coming week) is by creating a meal plan.
2. Make a list (and stick to it).
Once you have your meal plan, create a shopping list. When you show up at the grocery store, stick to the items on your list. By planning your meals ahead of time and telling yourself to only buy what’s on your list, you’re less likely to end up with unhealthy food choices in your shopping cart.
3. Stay around the perimeter of the store.
As you shop, stay around the perimeter of the store. While this is not new advice, it does have a significant impact on your diet. The grocery store perimeter is full of real, perishable food items like vegetables, fruit, dairy products, eggs, and meat. Once you start wandering through the aisles, you’ll face plenty of refined, processed, and tempting options. Remember that foods with a shorter shelf life make for better choices than packaged foods.
4. Beware of “healthy” replacement foods.
As you shop, you’ll notice “healthier” versions of common foods like cookies, chips, crackers, cereals, and pasta. A cookie made without refined sugar might seem like a better option than a sugar-free counterpart, but it’s still a cookie. And on some days, it’s okay to eat a cookie. But if you’re going to treat yourself, then it might be better to eat a small portion of the real deal.
5. Don’t shop when you’re hungry or in a hurry.
The worst time to go grocery shopping is when you’re hungry. Surrounding yourself with healthy options when you’re hungry is fine. But it’s going to take some extra willpower if you wander down the snack aisles when you’re hungry. The second worst time to grocery shop is when you’re in a hurry. Rather than thinking about your food choices, you’re more likely to go with whatever’s most convenient. Even if that means you’re not choosing the best option for your diet and personal goals.
At Cannon Fitness and Performance in Houston, we offer a variety of programs, including nutrition coaching. Your nutrition coach will provide you with a personalized meal plan, including a grocery list. To learn more about how to get started with any of our programs, contact us today. | https://cannonfitnessandperformance.com/grocery-store-success/ |
Change is literally in store for Ward 8, the Washington, DC, community with the highest rates of poverty and chronic disease. In 2018, the grocery store retailer, Giant Food, launched a food-driven wellness initiative in Ward 8 that, in part, aims to make stronger correlations between healthy eating and health outcomes. The initiative’s centerpiece is the ingenious creation of a wellness center inside Giant’s Congress Heights grocery store, currently the only full-service grocery store in that community. There, residents have taken fitness and cooking classes as well as chatted with an in-store registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) about healthy meal options.
That RDN is Jillian Griffith, who joined the store’s team not only to bolster better eating habits for shoppers but also build community partnerships with other organizations looking to improve the health of those living in the community. The connections made have initiated in-store wellness events as well as increased nutrition education throughout Ward 8.
In our interview with Griffith, she chats about the benefits of the wellness center, her strategic role at Nutrition On Demand, and why a lack of diversity in dietetics is hindering the field.
What led you to a career in dietetics?
My interest in nutrition stemmed from my own experience with childhood obesity and wanting to do work in that space. Before going to college, I had never met a dietitian and didn’t know anything about the field of dietetics. When it was time to pick a college and figure out what I was going to study, I decided to major in nutrition because of my personal interest and had my mind set on medical school. Through my studies and different practicum experiences, I was drawn away from the pre-med track to the broader field of public health and working on the prevention side of the health system. I decided to pursue my Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition and Registered Dietitian credentialing so that I could still have the clinical knowledge but concentrate on public health programming.
Where did you get your professional start in that field?
My first job after grad school was with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA). I started there as a dietetic intern during my time at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I was always interested in the role the private sector plays in the food landscape and the footprint it has at both the national and community level. Once I came on as staff, I led the Healthier Campus Initiative. Through this initiative we worked with college and university partners who made public commitments around their food options, physical activity spaces, and wellness programming, including areas like student food insecurity. At the time, PHA had over 50 campuses participating in the initiative.
In addition to my work on this initiative, I also supported PHA partners who made commitments in other areas like improving the food in the emergency food system pipeline, offering healthier options in convenience stores, and shifting to a healthier product portfolio through reformulation or portfolio expansion. I thoroughly enjoyed my work at PHA but moved on to work on more local initiatives that would increase access to nutrition education and improve food insecurity in Washington, DC.
It seems you’ve made that leap in your role at Giant Foods. How so?
I’m one of the nutritionists on the Healthy Living team at Giant and my work focuses on the Ward 8 community. In 2018, the company built a wellness space in the Ward 8 Giant where I hold nutrition classes and work with other community stakeholders to host additional wellness programming open to the community. I also meet with people individually to discuss their nutrition concerns, lead store tours, and go out into the community to spread nutritional knowledge through events and programming. The pandemic shifted the in-person programming, but all of these resources are still available to customers and community members in the virtual space.
What have been some of the more popular aspects of the programs you’re offering?
One of the more popular programs I am involved with is the Produce Rx Program, in partnership with DC Greens and DC Health. Through this program, participating physicians can write prescriptions for eligible patients to receive $80 in fresh produce each month. I have enjoyed working with participants in the program to learn how to further stretch their dollar in the grocery store as well as better manage their pre-diabetes, diabetes, and/or hypertension.
What’s been the reaction from the community?
Having an RDN in the grocery store is a great community resource, whether you’re looking for just a little inspiration to try something new or have specific questions or concerns about how food impacts your health. The grocery store is where people engage the most with food outside their kitchen and are making important food decisions around their future meals and snacks. Having an expert in the aisles to bounce ideas off of or ask questions has been well received.
Does this role tie into your role with Nutrition On Demand?
I support Cooking Matters, one of Nutrition On Demand’s clients. [Cooking Matters is an organization teaching parents and caregivers with limited food budgets to shop and cook for healthy meals.] One of the audiences for that program is low-income families from diverse cultural backgrounds. I bring additional insight into the content being developed for social media channels for Cooking Matters.
Speaking of diverse audiences, do you feel there is a lack of diversity in the field of dietetics? If so, what do you attribute that to?
There’s definitely a lack of diversity in the profession, with less than three percent of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists identifying as Black, and just over 80 percent being white. That’s a problem because when you’re trying to improve the nutrition of communities across the nation, we have to meet the needs of our diverse nation. It’s important that our field include professionals with different backgrounds and insights to provide culturally inclusive care and content. I partly attribute this lack of diversity to a lack of awareness of the field. For example, look at me. I didn’t even know what a dietitian was until I got to college because it wasn’t a career path I was exposed to. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate school experience, there wasn’t always an opportunity to seek guidance from someone that looked like me or that shared a similar experience. I am so happy there’s great work being done to provide that support to students and increase awareness of the field overall.
What does that support look like?
I serve as a diversity leader for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which aims to increase diversity across our field. Beyond the work being done by the academy, awesome organizations like Diversify Dietetics are forming. Social media has also been a great way spotlight diversity within the field and connect dietitians of color with aspiring students. We’re now more connected than ever before.
What about the connections you’ve made as a dietitian? What’s been most rewarding?
I love the role food and nutrition play in my life and I love even more engaging with people and inspiring them to improve their food choices and honestly just normalize healthy. I like to think I am working as a part of a larger web of dietitians and public health professionals striving to change the culture of health.
—Fred Durso, Jr., is a Nutrition On Demand intern currently pursuing a master’s degree in food and nutrition and the necessary requirements to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Prior to heading back to school, he spent more than a decade as a journalist/communications specialist. | https://www.nutritionondemand.net/get-to-know-jillian-griffith-one-of-nutrition-on-demands-content-strategy-consultants/ |
A working mum-of-two who has a peanut allergy has warned shoppers to scrutinise food labels as part of a new awareness campaign.
Food Standards Scotland launched #lookatthelabel yesterday to encourage consumers to spend a little longer looking at food labelling.
Some of the country’s biggest supermarkets are supporting the #lookatthelabel campaign, which aims to help people make safer, healthier and more informed choices when buying food and drink.
The importance of ‘use by’ dates, colour-coded nutrition labelling, storage advice and allergens information is being hammered home.
Christine Livingston, 35, found herself feeling sick and having to take time off work after she ate a ready meal that was a couple of days past its use by date.
The busy mum, from Renfrew, simply forgot to look at the label, thinking her microwave pasta dish had been in the fridge for only a couple of days when it had been one week since her last big food shop.
Christine is used to checking the labels on certain food products when grocery shopping for allergy advice as she has a peanut allergy to watch out for, but she admits to not always checking for use by dates or nutritional information.
Christine, who works as a manager at the David Lloyd Leisure Club in Renfrew, said: “A few months ago I became sick after eating a microwave meal on my lunch break at work. I was almost instantly unwell and couldn’t understand why.
“When I looked at the label I was shocked to see it was a couple of days out of date. I just forgot the length of time it was in the fridge and I didn’t think to look at the label.
“I’m now much more careful when buying food in the grocery store and spend a few seconds longer looking at the label, in particular checking fresh food for its use by date and storage advice.”
Christine’s husband Iain, also 35, works as a transport manager in Glasgow and also admits to not always making time to look at the label on food.
He said: “I usually have a quick look at food labels when I’m in the supermarket but I’d never think to look again when at home.
“In the past I’ve put fresh pasta in the cupboard instead of the fridge or put tins of fruit or veg in the fridge instead of in a cupboard.
“Luckily, Christine is a bit more switched on than me, and reminds me to look at the label and check where food should be kept.”
But it’s not only food safety that Christine and Iain now look out for. The colour-coded food labelling found at the front of food packaging helps consumers understand the nutritional content of food.
Christine added: “Being a busy mum juggling work, school runs, visiting family and doing all the home cooking, it’s easy to grab what’s on your shopping list.
“In the past, I’ve been shocked to discover the sugar and salt content in some food products that you associate with being healthy such as cereals and yoghurt.
“The Food Standards Scotland #lookatthelabel campaign has made me more aware of the importance of taking a few extra seconds for checking the fat, salt and sugar content.
“ It’s especially important now I have two girls aged seven and four as I want them to eat healthy food that fills them up.”
The front-of-pack colour-coded labelling, which has been adopted by the majority of the UK’s major food retailers, provides nutritional information to help consumers make healthier choices.
But, according to Food Standards Scotland (FSS), just 28 per cent
of adults always check the nutrition content of food and 22 per cent
use product packaging for
finding out information about food safety.
A third also say they have had food poisoning and Geoff Ogle, chief executive of FSS, says understanding the information on food labels is an important way consumers can reduce the risk of this.
Mr Ogle explained: “Food is important to all of us and perhaps not something we think too much about when buying it so we want to highlight the potential risks to consumer health.
“That is why we are launching this innovative campaign, using blindfold imagery, which will hopefully inspire consumers to take a closer look at the label.”
“The #lookatthelabel campaign asks consumers to take a few extra seconds to look at food labels beyond the price, and spend a bit more time looking at what the information on labels is telling you.”
●The month-long awareness-raising drive will include press, radio, digital, poster and trolley advertising, social media activity and PR. | https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/make-sure-you-look-label-6759747 |
Tears Spilled in Aisle Six: The Supermarket as a Conformist Hell
Now that we live in a world of factory farms and pre-packaged snack foods, supermarkets are a near essential portion of our lives. Unless you make the trek to the farmers’ market every day or, god forbid, grow your own food, they are the only place where you can gather up the sustenance you need to get through your weary working life. Perhaps this is the reason that they have become a symbolic representation of modern conformity.
Everyone goes to the supermarket in the same way that everyone falls asleep or goes to the bathroom. They are collections of long, thin aisles packed with people who barely say a word to each other. If a child cries in the grocery store, he or she will be scolded or, in some cases, hit. Acting out in a supermarket is a societal no-no. They are a place of peace, quiet, and keeping to oneself. All business, no pleasure.
Like they should, artists throughout the twentieth and twenty first centuries have reaped the symbolic benefits of the supermarket in their work. While there are surely other examples, the works chosen here represent three widely different mediums all searching for meaning in the same place. Next time you are in line at your local brick and mortar grocery store, consider the notion that you may be wallowing in the midst of a bland wasteland. The cashiers may ask why you are sobbing; ask them why they are not.
Ginsberg and Whitman Walk into a Supermarket
Firstly, Allen Ginsberg’s poem, “A Supermarket in California,” explores the confines of the supermarket from the perspective of a societal outsider: a gay man. Because we live in a vaguely more progressive era, we must recall that times were much harder for gay men in 1955, when the poem was written. He begins the poem by pointing out “Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocadoes, babies in the tomatoes!” All around him, Ginsberg sees perfect nuclear families blending into the supermarket with eerie ease. To him, they literally sit among the food and aisles, neatly in place, fitting in more than he ever could.
Then, he spies a childless old man “poking among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.” That old man is the most famous gay American poet, Walt Whitman. Because the heterosexual males and females around him conform so perfectly to the ideal of the supermarket, Ginsberg feels drawn to Whitman and his lonely meandering. Amongst the supermarket, they stroll “down the open corridors in [their] solitary fancy.” The two gay men latch onto each other and revel in the feelings of loneliness and isolation they have when faced with the all-American values of the supermarket.
With each other as support, they finally gain the courage to leave the supermarket and walk together among the “solitary streets.” To them, the supermarket represents a spotless haven from which they are excluded merely for being different. Ginsberg’s examination of the supermarket leads nicely into another piece of work that examines conformity among groceries, The Clash’s 1979 song, “Lost in the Supermarket.”
Buying a Personality at the Supermarket
The lyrics of the song detail the coming of age of a young boy amongst a world with hyper-materialistic values. The speaker feels as though he has no control over his own life, as evidenced in the line, “I wasn’t born, so much as I fell out.” He feels that this world was thrust upon him. In order to survive, he visits the supermarket for “that special offer / A guaranteed personality.” No matter how much he buys from the supermarket, he feels an uncomfortable sense of loneliness.
Though there is no evidence that he has an attribute (like Ginsberg’s homosexuality) that would necessitate feelings of isolation, the speaker still feels like an outsider. The song furthers the idea of the supermarket as a bastion of conformity for this reason. Though no one in the supermarket interacts with each other, everyone feels a bit lonely inside them. Why not talk to each other? The song proposes that there is no answer except for the idea that everyone is too set in their ways to break any societal trend.
Being a punk band, The Clash had obvious qualms with the confined, purely suburban nature of the supermarket. No one should feel lonely, but it is not possible to thrive in a world where everyone is merely trying to buy their way to happiness. No matter what the supermarket has in stock, so long as it keeps its buyers in a bubble of isolation, no one will be able to break free from their own specific loneliness. A film from 1985, Repo Man, shows what would happen if one brave soul tried to break out of the rut of Supermarket Life.
A Reagan-ified Vision of the Supermarket
In the beginning of the film, Otto, the protagonist, works in a supermarket that is the picture of conformity. Director Alex Cox takes blandness to comical heights. Each box of cereal has a white label that merely says, “Corn Flakes.” Beer can labels read, “Beer.” And so on and so forth.
Otto works alongside a fellow drone who seems to have absorbed consumer culture into his very core. As the scene in the grocery store begins, the coworker is jovially singing a jingle for the soda, Seven-Up. Up walks the owner of the grocery store to berate Otto for not aligning the cans correctly because, in the supermarket, everything must be perfect. It is one of their more disturbing characteristics. Everything is straight lines or beautifully constructed pyramids.
Having had enough, Otto turns to his boss and says, “F— you!” His coworker laughs, so Otto throws him into the pyramid of cans. At this, a cop points a gun at Otto and forces him to leave the store. In the supermarket, any sign of chaos or otherness must be expelled. In Alex Cox’s world, this point is taken to its logical extreme, with policemen making sure everyone follows the implied rules.
Otto is kicked out for being unruly. People do not usually think of supermarkets as having “rules” because nearly all of the rules are implied. Whenever they are broken, people just know. It is this implied status quo that keeps people in line at the supermarket, forcing them to act their best at all times. A person in a supermarket knows exactly what to do and how to do it. No one feels truly right in the supermarket because the standards for behavior in them are turned up to a perfect ten. They possess us with an Orwellian sense of fear towards acting out. One surely cannot cry in a supermarket, and one cannot even laugh too loud in one without blushing.
As these three examples show, the necessary act of buying food at the grocery store paralyzes most people into a state of conformity. If one cannot conform, one feels isolated, lonely, or despised. For whatever reason, no one can be themselves in a supermarket. We are either searching, lost, or trying to break free. As an essential portion of modern life, the supermarket and its rules cannot be ignored. Art shows the dark side of a place in which everyone must act according to a specific set of rules. While one may not think of a supermarket as an evil entity, these works pose the idea that they are more insidious than they seem.
These works each came from a place outside of mainstream culture. Ginsberg was a Beatnik, The Clash and Alex Cox are punks. They each performed exactly the task one would expect from the counterculture: pointing out and mocking a portion of accepted mainstream culture. While they are united under the idea of the supermarket, these three works approach the subject matter in a variety of ways. Thoughtful meditation, ironic distance, and chaotic disruption, respectively. But their end goals were all the same, and that is why art holds so much power. Each began from a vastly different perspective and gave a unique spin on the conformist culture of supermarkets, each as effective as the other but still wonderfully unique.
Many artists have found symbolic importance in the aisles of a supermarket. What does it say about us as a society that major portions of our lives are spent hiding our true selves? Being nonconformists, these artists were unafraid to probe deep into their nations’ psyches and try to tear down the well-formed facade in the hope of finding some deeper truth. They came back with the realization that Supermarkets hold more power over the way we behave than anyone might have previously suspected. We are all lost in the supermarket, but it will take nothing more than a great piece of art to help us find our way out.
What do you think? Leave a comment. | https://the-artifice.com/tears-spilled-in-aisle-six-the-supermarket-as-a-conformist-hell/ |
How Does My Nutrition Affect My Risk?
Portion Size Versus Serving Size
Portion size is the total amount of food consumed for one meal or snack. When you start a weight-loss program or an eating plan to reduce or control your blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol, it is important to understand how much you should eat for a given meal or snack. Portions people serve at home and in restaurants are typically three to four times larger than recommended.
Serving size is the standard amount of a particular food recommended by Canada’s Food Guide. For example, a typical restaurant portion of pasta is a three-cup serving. According to Canada’s Food Guide, this is equivalent to six servings of grains. Understanding recommended servings is key to portion control.
Reading the Nutrition Label
All prepackaged foods have a nutrition label that provides information about the product.
If you want to know the nutritional value of the food you’re about to buy, read the nutrition label. When seeking out heart-healthy products, look for labels that indicate low levels of saturated and total fat (3 g or less), cholesterol (20 mg or less), sodium (140 mg or less), and sugar, but higher amounts of fibre and vitamins and minerals.
Step 1 – Look at the Serving Size
Nutrition facts are based on a specific quantity of food. Always compare the serving size on the package to the amount that you actually eat. The label will list the nutrients according to the serving, not the package.
Step 2 – Look at the Nutrients and the Percent of Daily Value (% DV)
The percent of daily value puts nutrients on a scale from 0% to 100%. You need a certain recommended daily level of each nutrient. This scale tells you what percentage of your daily value a nutrient provides, usually in terms of a single serving. For example, if the label shows 10% for calcium, you’re getting 10% of your daily calcium from a single serving. The percent of daily value is based on a 2,000 calorie eating plan. You can make these assumptions about the percent of daily value on labels:
- 5% or less is a small amount
- 15% or more is a large amount
- Consume higher % DV of fibre, vitamin A, calcium, and iron
- Consume smaller % DV of fat, saturated and trans fat, and sodium
Step 3 – Look at the Ingredient List
Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. This establishes the general makeup of the product. When reading the ingredient list, be sure to choose foods with labels that put: | https://cwhhc.ottawaheart.ca/education-and-tools/my-personal-risk/nutrition |
This program of nutrition education helps teens learn how to pick out healthy foods on a budget. With a one-time classroom visit from ACH health educators, 9th – 12th grade students receive a virtual tour of the grocery store with food examples reviewed from various aisles (fruits & vegetables, meat & dairy, breads & grains). Topics include how to shop for healthy items, how to read food labels, and how to budget for meals. There is also discussion on making healthier choices in regard to sugar, sodium, fat and calories.
Contact Charles Maxwell at [email protected] or 501-364-5655.
Contact us to make an appointment.
Arkansas Children's Northwest is NOW OPEN!
Find a doctor who specializes in pediatric care. | https://www.archildrens.org/health-and-wellness/community-outreach/pop-up-cooking-matters |
Fresh, frozen or canned? Store brands or premium brands? Serving size, nutritional value and cost per serving? So much goes into making good shopping decisions. Built from the success of the fifth week in the Cooking Matters for Adults course, Cooking Matters at the Store is a free grocery store tour, conducted by trained facilitators at local supermarkets. Participants learn basic skills that help make grocery shopping fun and economical. During Cooking Matters at the Store tours, participants learn and practice key food shopping skills like buying fruits and vegetables on a budget, comparing unit prices, reading food labels, and identifying whole grain foods. | https://www.foodbanknca.org/cooking-matters-at-the-store.html |
Walking through a Canadian grocery store, there are healthy choices in every aisle—if you know how to find them, says Chris Wellington.
A registered dietitian at the Windsor Family Health Team and a sessional instructor in nursing, she has started a one-year contract as a nutritionist with Food Services, Student Health Services and Residence Services. She will conduct a tour of the Metro supermarket this Sunday, September 16. It is aimed at international students but everyone is welcome.
“The idea is to go up and down the aisles and help them to identify smart choices,” she says. “I will point out the healthy options, teach them how to read the nutrition info on the labels, and even just introduce them to our system.”
Depending on their home countries, Wellington says, newcomers may not be familiar with the concept of one grocery store stocking everything from dairy goods to bakery items to dry staples. She will tailor her presentation to the needs of attendees.
“I want to focus on the specific issues raised by the members of the tour,” she says. “Maybe some of the people will be lactose intolerant or will be unfamiliar with the seasonal availability of local fruits and vegetables. They are going to educate me on what they need addressed.”
The tour will begin at 4 p.m. in the Metro store at 2750 Tecumseh Road West and will be repeated the following Sunday. Free rides to and from the supermarket will be offered from the International Student Centre at 3 p.m. The centre asks that any students interested in attending register by noon Friday by e-mailing [email protected]. | https://opirg.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2012-09-12/supermarket-tour-to-introduce-international-students-to-canadian-food-shopping |
When you eat any food, shouldn't you care more about the particular piece you are eating, rather than the generic values listed in an app or book about calorie counting or nutrition? The nutritional value of something as plain as an apple will depend on: its variety (Gala? Fuji? McIntosh?), size, harvest date, length and conditions of storage, which parts you eat (peel? seeds?), and even what other items you may eat along with it.
Ultimately, the real value is whatever nutrition your body absorbs from it after your internal microbes pick it apart, and once the rest of your meal and environment are taken into account. In fact, there is such a wide variation in nutritional value that [I bet] some of the apples you might eat are actually less nutritious than foods we normally think of as “bad”.
I have a deeper appreciation for these importance nutritional differences, and the subtleties missing from nutrition labels after reading a new book by Jo Robinson: Eating on the Wild Side- The Missing Link to Optimum Health. It’s chock full of practical advice like:
- Slice/chop/press garlic, then let it rest for ten minutes before cooking to boost its nutrition.
- Cooked carrots have 2x the beta carotene of raw carrots. Cut your own sticks for carrots; the baby kind are much less nutritious. Then eat them mixed with fat (e.g. butter) to amplify the nutrition.
- Red cherry tomatoes have 12x more lycopene than red beefsteak tomatoes
- Canned artichoke hearts are among the most nutritious vegetables in the supermarket.
- Same with canned beans: which are healthier than fresh, and have more oxygen radical absorption than red wine or blackberries.
- Broccoli loses half its nutrition when you nuke it. Much better to steam for 4 minutes, or sauté in olive oil and garlic.
There are many, many more tips like this, backed by with tons of references from years of reading medical and nutrition journals. It’s changed the way I think about food, and made me look at apples much less generically. | https://blog.richardsprague.com/2013/12/is-there-such-thing-as-apple.html |
Don't Let Your Food Take You by Surprise. Read the Label
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, see Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label.
Two shoppers in a grocery aisle are discussing nutrition labels, they are musically interrupted by store employees and other shoppers singing about the importance of reading and understanding the information on the Nutrition Facts label. | https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/dont-let-your-food-take-you-surprise-read-label |
Organic Cheddar Mac & Cheese
How to prepare:
1. Boil 6 cups of water in a medium saucepan.
2. Add pasta and bring back to a boil.
3. Cook 8-10 minutes or to desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.
4. Drain in colander. Do not rinse. Return pasta to pan.
5. Squeeze cheese sauce over hot pasta. Stir until evenly blended. Enjoy!
Disclaimer
Actual product packaging and materials may contain additional and/or different ingredient, nutritional, or proper usage information than the information displayed on our website. You are responsible for reading labels, warnings, and directions prior to using or consuming a product. If you have food sensitivities or allergies, you should always read the actual product labels to confirm the suitability of the product for your situation. All products may not be available in all stores. See your local store for specific offerings. Inspired Organics assumes no liability for inaccuracies or misstatements regarding any product. | https://inspiredorganics.com/product/cheddar-mac-cheese/ |
9 Etiquette Rules for Grocery Shopping During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Before the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, shopping for groceries felt therapeutic to me. I looked forward to dawdling down aisles, reading labels for the thrill of it, and stocking up on chocolate (and other necessities) for the second time in a week.
Now? I find myself swerving an almost-full cart in one jerky u-turn after the next to avoid other shoppers, wishing the aisles were wider. I stare at the sparse shelves wondering whether I *need* more oatmeal. I had never, ever thought about the ethics of stockpiling oatmeal before. But here we are.
I'm learning, though, that being a more considerate shopper doesn't take much effort. Here's how we can all do our part during these tough times.
1. Limit your time in the store.
The less time you spend at the store, the better. Go in with an idea of what you want to buy. Consider making a grocery list, grouping items that are already grouped together in the store. In other words, separate your list by nonperishables, produce, meat, and so on. This habit will be useful even when we're not facing a pandemic.
2. Go to the store less often.
Each time you go into a store, you're exposing yourself (and possibly others) to the novel coronavirus. Plan to shop for groceries no more than once per week, at as few stores as possible. If your go-to grocer is out of broccoli and black beans, for example, don't visit a second store just for these foods. Replace sold-out items with others when you can, or just move on.
Related: Common Ingredient Substitutions
3. Don't buy more than you need.
Experts tell us there's enough food for everyone. While stockpiling groceries can be tempting, remember that you can always go back for more. Of course, you still want to be prepared for a possible quarantine. So, if you don't have enough food at home for two weeks, now's the time to invest in nonperishables and frozen food just in case.
Related: Hoarding vs. Stockpiling: How to Calculate the Amount of Food Your Family Needs for Isolation
4. Don't bring your whole household.
Shop solo when you can. Fewer people means fewer distractions. And fewer distractions means less time in the store. It also means fewer people possibly exposed to the virus, which keeps everyone in your household safer.
5. Keep a safe distance from others.
When you're steering a shopping cart down narrow aisles, maintaining a six-foot distance from others can be difficult. So, do your best to stay at least three feet away from people, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends.
6. Bring your own bags.
Help stores keep bags in stock by remembering to bring your reusable bags. You can even use sturdy bags in place of a shopping cart to spare you the extra germs. You can also offer to bag your own groceries. And remember to wash those bags frequently to keep you and the food you put into them safe.
7. Don't put items back on shelves.
Once you pick up an item, consider it yours. If you've been exposed to the virus, touching items can spread germs to those who might pick up what you set down. So, be extra cautious and take a little time to observe items before you reach for them. For example, look for bruises on produce instead of feeling for soft spots. We know the virus can survive on objects, the Harvard School of Public Health says. We don't have the research to prove that the virus will spread through food or packaging, at least not yet. So, it's a good idea to avoid touching food just in case.
8. Avoid the WIC label when you can.
When you're glancing at the price of an item, check for a small (but significant) detail: the letters "WIC." Foods with this label have been approved for the WIC Program, or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Basically, WIC provides healthy foods for low-income women, infants, and children. The program covers some brands and not others. So, if you can choose brands that aren't WIC-marked, you may be helping those who already have limited access to food.
9. Clean your cart after, too.
COVID-19 can live on hard surfaces (think plastic and steel) for up to three days, the Harvard School of Public Health says. If you clean your cart with disinfecting wipes before you shop, consider being a good Samaritan and wiping it down after you use it, too. | https://www.allrecipes.com/article/grocery-shopping-coronavirus/ |
Where Does Our Food Come From?
Students explore where their food comes from. In this health lesson, students discuss how they get their food and list their ideas on chart paper. Students work in small groups to brainstorm inexpensive ways other people may get their food.
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Energy for Life (Energy from Food)
Energy comes in many forms, but how do living things get the energy they need to survive and thrive? In a simple, controlled experiment with yeast, water, and sugar, groups make observations about how yeast reacts with water alone, then...
3rd - 12th Science CCSS: Adaptable
The Simple Story of Photosynthesis and Food
Meet adorable animated chloroplasts as they, with the help of the sun, produce glucose. In this four-minute feature, viewers learn how carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and electrons are combined to form carbohydrates. The narrator also explains...
4 mins 4th - 8th Science CCSS: Adaptable
Food Product Packaging: Marketing & the Nutrition Facts Label
How can you choose healthier foods by reading the nutritional labels? Your class will discover how companies market food items to make them enticing and how to check the food labels of those items to see if they are healthy. They listen... | https://www.lessonplanet.com/teachers/where-does-our-food-come-from-1st-4th |
There are many ways to improve your health, but one of the most important is to be careful with what you ingest. Your diet has a huge impact on your overall well-being, so it’s important to make sure that you’re eating healthy foods. This article will discuss some of the best tips for improving your health by being careful with what you consume.
Filter Your Tap
You drink water throughout the whole day, so it’s important that you don’t take in any toxins while doing so. Homeowners often install alkaline water filters in order to keep any contaminants that might be in their water out of their glasses. The most important thing to do is make sure you’re filtering your tap water before drinking it.
There are plenty of filtering systems on the market, so find one that fits your needs and budget. Some can be attached directly to your kitchen faucet, while others require a separate one that is installed under your sink. There are also pitcher filters available that you can keep in your fridge.
Read Food Labels
It’s essential to be aware of the nutritive value of any food you consume and one way to do this is by reading food labels. Paying attention to the calorie content, the amount of fat, sodium, and sugar will help you make healthier choices. Reading food labels can be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight or simply eat better.
The Nutrition Facts panel is required on most packaged foods and provides information about calories, fat, sodium, and other nutrients. The Ingredients list tells you what’s actually in the food. By law, ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight.
Check The Ingredients
There are many foods that contain harmful ingredients you may not even be aware of. Here are some examples:
- Margarine contains trans fats, which can lead to heart disease.
- Many processed foods contain artificial food dyes, which have been linked to cancer.
- MSG is a common ingredient in many processed foods, and it has been linked to headaches and other health problems.
- High fructose corn syrup is found in many processed foods and can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Reading through all of the ingredients on food labels can be time-consuming, but it is worth it to know what you are putting into your body.
Shop At The Farmers Market
The farmers market offers a wide selection of much healthier food items than what is typically found at the grocery store. By shopping at the farmers market, you can be sure that you’re getting fresh fruits and vegetables that are free of harmful pesticides and full of nutrients. It’s also a great way to support local farmers and businesses!
Grow Your Own Food
If you have space and time, you could also consider growing your own food. This way, you can be sure of what exactly goes into your food and how it is grown. Growing your own produce can also be cheaper in the long run, and it’s a great way to get outside and connect with nature.
If you’re interested in growing your own food, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. You could start small, with just a few plants, or go all out and turn your backyard into a full-fledged farm. Either way, growing your own food is a great way to be more careful about what you eat and where it comes from.
Balance It Out
Make sure to carefully pick and consume all the necessary food groups in order to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. This means consuming foods from the basic food pyramid including:
- Bread, cereal, rice, and pasta
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts
- Milk, yogurt, and cheese
Make sure to balance them out accordingly. For example, someone who consumes a lot of carbohydrates should make sure to also have a good source of protein to accompany it. It’s all about moderation and variety!
Learn Your Intolerances
It’s also essential to visit your doctor to see what foods and ingredients you should avoid. You may be surprised to find out that you’re intolerant to foods that you thought were perfectly safe for you to eat. Learning your intolerances is a key part of being able to take care of your health and avoid potentially dangerous reactions.
If you’re not sure what an intolerance is, it’s basically when your body can’t properly digest a certain food or ingredient. This can cause all sorts of issues, from digestive problems to skin rashes. In some cases, intolerances can even lead to life-threatening conditions like anaphylaxis.
You’re the one responsible for your own health, so make sure to be careful by adding a water filter to your home. Read all food labels and ingredients before consuming them and try shopping at the farmer’s market more often. You could also grow food on your own terms knowing it’s healthy. Make sure to have a balanced diet every day and learn what things you lack and what you should never take! | https://matchness.com/2022/11/18/how-to-improve-your-health-by-being-careful-of-what-you-ingest/ |
When was the last time you walked down the grocery aisle and looked at food labels. I bet you probably look at the Nutritional Facts and maybe a few flashy labels for the latest trending buzz word. But have you looked at the manufacturer information on the label? Or even the country of origin label? … Continue reading Why I Occupy My Food Supply
Will you be part of the Food Conversation?
This morning a friend shared with me a link to an Occupy Our Food Supply page. A group of "thought leaders and activists," including the likes of Willie Nelson, Michale Pollan, and Woody Harrelson, plan to invite the masses in their crusade to end corporate exploitation of our food system , starting on Monday, February … Continue reading Will you be part of the Food Conversation? | https://beefrunner.com/tag/occupy-our-food-supply/ |
Since the wide-scale use of fossil fuels enabled the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, this energy system – where oil, gas and coal are burned – has gradually evolved to become the lifeblood of the modern economy.
While a fossil fuel-driven modernisation has vastly improved the lives of millions of people around the world for the past 200 years, its ongoing use has caused lasting harm to the climate.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), humans have used 2,475 gigatonnes (Gt) of emissions since the 1750s. That leaves only about 500 Gt of carbon budget, or about 10 years’ worth at current rates, to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 deg C.
While the world saw its first big energy transition when it shifted from the burning of wood and charcoal to coal for the purposes of industry, there is an urgency for the next big energy transition from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy.
Thus far, energy transition has been dominated by renewable sources of energy – chiefly, solar and wind. The technology and markets for these have matured, and the costs of implementing them has gone down over the years.
Yet, there has not been enough implementation of these relatively achievable and accessible forms, and a heavy reliance on fossil fuels remains.
Observers say the main challenge has been the lack of political will to accelerate the energy transition.
Unlike the Covid-19 pandemic, which was treated as a global emergency that needed to be addressed with urgency, Subodh Mhaisalkar, an engineering professor at Nanyang Technological University and the executive director of its Energy Research Institute, said that climate change has not yet become the “burning platform” that demands urgent action.
“Technologies and policy tools to address the low-hanging fruits (of solar and wind energy) are available; a collective will for action is yet to be visible,” he added.
While almost 200 countries are party to the Glasgow Climate Pact, which was the outcome of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), DBS Group Research analyst Suvro Sarkar noted that there is an ambition gap as well as an implementation gap that is clouding the way forward in meeting climate-change goals.
“Policy changes are required to create a sustainable ecosystem with the right incentives, in order to accelerate the move towards cleaner energy sources,” he said.
Given that energy transition typically cuts across various sectors, Gilles Pascual, power and utilities leader for Asean at professional services firm EY, said that comprehensive road maps and an overarching requirement to green the financial system to redirect capital flows are needed.
“While there can be apprehension from governments to act quickly before getting the full picture of a sector-wide strategy, short-term measures and action can turn low-hanging fruits into reality,” he added.
Decarbonisation solutions available in the market
Solar energy is undoubtedly the most affordable source of renewable energy. The business model is well-established, the solution can be deployed quickly, and there is a lot of capital available, said Pascual.
Using data from IEA, global asset manager BlackRock said that solar costs have declined by 85 per cent since 2010.
The Asia-Pacific region is already the global powerhouse for renewable energy, representing over 50 per cent of installed capacity and more based on forecasts, based on figures from investment data company Preqin.
Besides investing in energy infrastructure, Pascual pointed out that one often-overlooked method to reduce carbon emissions is simply to improve energy efficiency.
This includes switching to light-emitting diodes in residential and commercial buildings, deploying energy efficient air-conditioners and chillers, as well as using district-cooling technologies, said Mhaisalkar.
New opportunities
Beyond the tried and tested, new avenues for energy transition, such as carbon capture, electric-vehicle (EV) charging, battery storage and offshore wind, are emerging.
These solutions have been taking advantage of falling costs, rising scale economies and improving commercial viability, said BlackRock Alternatives.
Some examples of new clean energy sources that have managed to scale include lithium-ion batteries and smart grids in the energy sector, point-source carbon capture and using alternative materials for the building sector, as well as EVs in the transport sector, said Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture between BlackRock and state investment firm Temasek that invests in decarbonisation solutions.
Sarkar believes that hydrogen would be a crucial element for countries to achieve their net-zero emissions target, and more are developing hydrogen plans.
While Europe remains the centre of hydrogen development, Asia-Pacific markets have also started venturing into this space, with South Korea and Japan being the first movers in this region.
China expects hydrogen to comprise 10 per cent of its energy share by 2050 to reach its ambitious climate targets. Indian private-sector companies are investing in electrolyser and fuel cell gigafactories, aided by production-linked incentive schemes, he added.
As for Singapore, the city-state does not have adequate infrastructure or land to accommodate large-scale facilities for the mass production of renewable energy-powered green hydrogen, although the Energy Market Authority has recognised the use of hydrogen as among the best solutions to meet emission targets.
However, Sarkar said that Singapore can import green hydrogen and also emerge as a trading centre as well as research and development hub in the region for research in low-carbon solutions, including green hydrogen.
While also noting the potential of hydrogen, Mhaisalkar said that cost reduction and scaling are the major challenges that should be addressed over the next decade.
There is currently no mass production or deployment of these newer technologies, said Sarkar.
“Costs of new technologies such as green hydrogen will probably need to reduce 50-80 per cent from current levels over the next decade or so, in order to meet critical mass criteria,” he added.
“This may seem a stiff target, but given the experience the world has had with renewable energy sources – where costs have fallen much faster than expected – it is not an improbable one.”
From an investment point of view, Sarkar said that pure play companies in emerging technologies are likely a better bet for private investors than public markets.
“Hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser plays are still very much in the startup phase and will likely not be profitable on the bottom line yet; hence investors will need to fall back on price-to-sales ratio as one of the key valuation metrics,” he said.
Mixing the not-so-new with the new
It is important to note that these emerging sources of clean energy, such as green hydrogen, are not competitors to renewables, said Sarkar.
“Rather, it is complementary and synergistic to the growth of wind and solar in future,” he said.
As government and supranational bodies such as the European Union impose regulations to tighten carbon emissions even more in the future, carbon compliance prices will rise even higher.
Cost inflation for carbon-intensive industries will likely prod them to ramp up investments in wind, solar, as well as emerging sources of clean energy, such as hydrogen, said Sarkar.
He estimates that existing technologies will contribute to 80 per cent of curbing carbon emissions over the next decade, while new technologies will account for the rest.
Given that some renewables such as wind and solar are already mature businesses, governments can focus on enhancing the electric grids to handle higher loads, with expected growth in electrification in future, and also ensure grid connectivity to areas which generate renewable energy rather than fossil fuel-based sources.
Investments into grid-level battery energy storage systems will improve grid flexibility and its ability to handle higher loads, which makes renewable energy systems such as wind and solar more available and reliable, given their intermittency.
“The key pathway to decarbonisation is the electrification of energy use,” said Sarkar.
“Countries will need to ensure a higher proportion of cleaner energy sources in the power sector, while simultaneously promoting the electrification of end-user segments, such as transport and buildings.”
A system overhaul
Despite all the technologies available today, Mhaisalkar said that close to 50 per cent of the world’s energy needs will still rely on fossil fuels by 2050.
“We will exceed the 1.5 deg C temperature rise milestone by the end of this decade, and a 2 deg C temperature rise before 2050 is forecasted,” he added.
Observers say there needs to be an overhaul of the current economic system, in addition to negative carbon technologies.
Mhaisalkar said that policy changes, such as removing all subsidies on fuels and higher taxes for larger users of electricity, are important first steps.
He also suggested instituting legislations on the installing of renewables on rooftops and other measures to increase decarbonisation for industry.
“After decades of a ‘growth at all costs’ mentality, the formidable task of reversing a millennia-old positive correlation between gross domestic product growth and carbon emissions requires no less than a thorough overhaul of our economic modus operandi, attainable only through disruptive new technologies – which include innovations in green energy,” said Hou Wey Fook, chief investment officer at DBS. | https://www.dbs.com.sg/private-banking/articles/esg/accelerate-energy-transition-net-zero |
ssions would rise by approximately 1.5% per year, possibly resulting in a 6ºC increase in global average temperature and "irreparable damage to the planet"2. To help meet increasing electricity demand in a sustainable way, the growing integration of renewable energy technologies to the grid, and the challenges this involves, will need to be given due consideration. While they will not replace conventional power sources in the near future, renewable energy, such as hydroelectric, biomass, wind, and geothermal energy, has a role to play by increasing electricity supply and by reducing overall GHG energy emissions. The advantages of integration of renewable energies to the grid would help realise the potential of renewable energy sources and would contribute to lowering GHG emissions while boosting energy efficiency. In designing and implementing a grid that can accommodate increasing use of renewable energy technologies, BIAC outlines in this paper various considerations that need to be taken into account, such as investment costs, energy security and regulatory issues.
International Energy Agency (IEA), World Energy Outlook 2009. Ibid.
Creating grids that hold enough flexibility to accommodate variable energy inputs from certain renewable energy sources would entail significant investment costs. In terms of connecting grids to renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind farms, tidal energy locations or solar energy sites, investment will be necessary for the transmission and distribution lines from these often geographically-dispersed sites. Investment will also be needed to upgrade the existing grids with the necessary hi-tech devices and sensors to be able to respond to variable inputs from renewable energy sources. In the United States alone, for example, the introduction of additional infrastructure, whether smart or not, could require investment totalling as much as USD 1.5 trillion between 2010 and 20303, and that figure does not include the customers' share in paying for new technology outlays. Even in a country such as the United Kingdom, which has a far smaller land area, smaller population and much higher average population density than the United States, a significant sum of £4.7 billion by 2020 will be necessary for new investment in transmission lines (both maintenance and expansion), while a further £8.6 billion will be necessary to simply replace the current 47 million gas and electricity meters in the country4. While returns in the long-term may be high, policies for smart grid deployment in countries should carefully consider how to strategically finance the investment costs, particularly in the context of the current economic crisis (and thus reduced credit and liquidity). At the same time, sound analysis is needed on the expected economic returns on investment in smart grids and infrastructure for integrating renewable energies. Integrating renewable energies into the grid should make increasing use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) where possible, in order to encourage investment.
from renewable energies will require significant restructuring, improved forecasting of energy production, and mathematical models to predict grid behaviour with higher integration of renewable energies. We can also expect to see a rise in small-scale energy production from renewable energy sources at local levels, potentially adding thousands of generating sources to electrical grids. Grids must therefore be able to continuously calculate increasingly complex and variable supply and demand to ensure reliable and secure electricity supply on a scalable, real-time and per-need basis. Moreover, due to the computerised nature of a smart grid, the potential for technical disruption, or even sabotage, should be addressed in development.
An increasingly predictable and transparent regulatory regime will be necessary for the much-needed investment in restructuring grids. BIAC calls on policy makers to consult closely with the private sector on new energy policy reforms, and emphasises that policy reforms must not inhibit innovation, obstruct competition, or undermine investment. It will thus be important to achieve greater policy coherence and consistency between all levels of government in cases where grids span more than one provincial or national jurisdiction, thus facilitating investment and expansion by the industry. This becomes particularly relevant in the case of integrating often geographically-remote renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind farms or tidal energy, where long-distance transmission lines could potentially cross several regional or national boundaries. Administrative simplification will also play an important role, as currently it is often highly time-consuming and difficult in many countries to seek rights-of-way and to gain regulatory approvals for new transmission lines. Administrative obstacles for siting and permitting would therefore need to be addressed to ensure that grid updates are implemented as effectively and efficiently as possible. Furthermore, public opposition to new transmission and distribution lines in remote, local and pristine areas can make it difficult to build much-needed new infrastructure. Policy makers at national and local levels should do more to help inform the public and garner public support for new transmission lines and installation of renewable energy technologies. Policy makers should also help to support further research and development for the integration of renewable energies into the grid. For example, it would be valuable to carry out data collection and analysis to help understand in practice the impacts of increasing integration of renewable energies into the grid. At the same time, research into enhanced forecasting techniques would be useful. Furthermore, the demand-side of grid integration practices and burden-sharing require further consideration, as well as the further analysis into the potential environmental benefits to be reaped by implementation of smart grids.
BIAC is supportive of restructuring energy grids in cost-effective ways to improve energy security and address climate change by greater integration of renewable energy technologies, where appropriate. Consultation with the private sector will be fundamental to the success of this endeavour. In our view, the OECD and IEA have key roles to play in informing the upgrading of electricity grids. They hold several comparative advantages vis- -vis other international organisations, including close cooperation with BIAC and other stakeholders, a wholeeconomy perspective, and a wealth of technical and economic expertise to help guide policy makers. We therefore encourage more OECD and IEA analysis into issues surrounding the integration of renewable energies into the grid. It would be particularly useful to examine the costs and benefits associated with increasing integration of renewable energies, as well as further research into modelling and forecasting. The OECD and IEA can also work to provide guidance to policy makers on such issues to ensure policy coherence and administrative simplification for a sound investment environment. BIAC looks forward to providing input to OECD and IEA activities on these issues where possible. | https://www.wesrch.com/energy/paper-details/pdf-TR1AU1TDVYUWR-accommodating-renewable-energy-technologies-to-the-grid |
Leveraging the Need for Innovation in Developing Countries to Boost Market Performance and Energy Trade
Well-functioning electricity markets can provide efficient price signals to guide, dispatch, and inform investment. Consequently, these markets are required to stimulate the appropriate and timely investment needed to achieve affordable low-carbon and electricity security goals.
Moreover, well-functioning electricity markets facilitate and support the achievement of the targets for SDG 7. These markets are becoming extremely important in a world undergoing an accelerated energy transition, driven by rapidly changing technological, environmental, and economic factors. These factors include a reduction in the cost of renewables which has led to their progressive adoption. In addition, the decentralization of electricity generation, which is propelled by increasing availability, has reduced the costs of distributed energy resources. Changes in the responsiveness of demand have been enabled by the advancement of information and communication technologies (electric vehicles, smart metering, digitalization) and socioeconomic transformation (urbanization, industrialization).
This has provided governments in developing countries with the possibility to leverage the need for innovation in market design to ensure the integration of variable renewable energy and accelerate decarbonization while maintaining a reliable power supply. Markets need to facilitate appropriate financial incentives and flexible resources (such as demand response providers and battery storage) to renewable generators to maintain supply reliability.
In 2021, ESMAP established the Electricity Markets, Grid Connectivity and Regional Trade (MARCOT) program, which provides governments in developing countries, and World Bank operational teams, with expert advice on electricity markets. MARCOT serves as a consolidated center of expertise on power market design and operation tailored to the unique needs of developing countries.
The MARCOT program supports World Bank teams, governments in developing countries, and regional teams in designing and implementing energy sector reforms, primarily focusing on establishing well-functioning, competitive, and transparent national and regional electricity trading markets.
It provides support through three main workstreams:
- Guidance: Developing a solid global knowledge base on the agenda of markets, connectivity, and trade, including guidance on market design, best practices for regional connectivity, and the introduction of trading regimes.
- Knowledge: Tailoring global research and data-gathering to the unique circumstances of developing countries. It also facilitates global knowledge exchange on an advanced market design that focuses on flexible generation investments, dynamic pricing, efficient transmission investments, and demand-side participation.
- Regional solutions: Supporting governments in developing countries in preparing regional energy projects and developing innovative regional solutions, such as advanced regional electricity markets and positioning them to qualify for the country and regional grants.
The MARCOT Program is co-managed by ESMAP and the Global Knowledge Unit of the World Bank Energy and Extractives Global Practice, and is organized around two pillars:
- Markets and Trade (or “Soft Infrastructure”): Supporting, designing, and implementing measures toward modern electricity trading markets that allow price discovery, improve the operational efficiency of power systems, attract investments, and increase power trade within national and regional markets.
- Connectivity and Grid (or “Hard Infrastructure”): Connecting individual markets and increasing the number of interconnected countries and regions.
Our work
Between 2020 and 2021, the MARCOT program allocated technical assistance grants to 16 activities in the regions of East, West, and Central Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, and South Asia. The projects focused on increasing the number of countries with established or improved markets for energy services and interconnected grids. It also supported an increase in regional trade and financing from public and private sources.
The program established a partnership with the Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) to create a comprehensive, regularly updated database of power markets globally. The database holds information about the electricity sector’s market characteristics and development over time, presenting a completely new and unique tool to benchmark the performance of emerging markets. The MARCOT program has also launched a series of formal training courses on the “Fundamentals of Energy Markets.”
The program includes an associated Multi-Donor Trust Fund on Advancing Regional Energy Projects in Southern and Eastern Africa (AREP MDTF). This was established in 2016 to channel donor funding to advance the preparation of regional energy projects in the Southern and Eastern Africa regions and support the development of an enabling environment for power trade. The primary donors of the AREP MDTF are the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). | https://www.esmap.org/MARCOT_Program_Profile |
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Selected Research Projects at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems
2022
Research Project MOSENAS
The objective of the project MOSENAS is the development of a battery electric multiple unit for a long-term use on different partly electrified railway routes. The focus is set on the designing of a modularly scalable energy storage system under consideration of operational feasibility, efficiency and compatibility with the surrounding charging infrastructure.
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Research Project SEDOS
Sector integration shall make a decisive contribution to achieving ambitious climate protection goals. This includes new challenges for the system-analytical energy planning that cannot solely rely on single subsystems but take a holistic view on the energy system. The objective of the research project SEDOS is to depict the sector integration within energy system models in detail and facilitate greater comparability of the models through open data.
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2021
Research Project ALELY
To fully utilize the potential of reducing the cost of electrolysers, the project ALELY (Alkaline Electrolysis) sets its focus on the reduction respectively substitution of raw and functional materials and the lowering of cell overvoltage for the purpose of decreasing the specifically required electricity demand on hydrogen per volume unit. Furthermore, the project incorporates the development of dynamic operating strategies.
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Research Project CAMS2_73
Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Program, provides services for various environmental topics to describe the state of the Earth. The solar radiation services support the European and national goals of the energy transition. They facilitate public as well as commercial applications in the planning, monitoring, efficiency improvement and integration of solar energy into the energy supply by means of its open data policy.
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Research Project NDC ASPECTS
The EU project NDC ASPECTS develops sectoral and national transformation strategies for countries worldwide, whose national contributions to greenhouse gas reduction are clearly behind the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement. The project will particularly focus on four sectoral systems: transport and mobility, emission intensive industries, buildings, agriculture, forestry and land-use, including their supply by and interaction with the energy conversion sector.
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Research Project SYSTOGEN100
In the course of the implementation of the national hydrogen strategy, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has launched three leading hydrogen projects. In the project SYSTOGEN100, the DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems is working on an application-oriented, holistic composition of necessary components for an efficient infrastructure to produce “green” hydrogen. The results will serve the lead project H2Giga which combines more than 130 institutes in business and science in a total of almost 30 independently operating groups.
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Research Project H₂-ReNoWe
As the use of renewable energy sources grows in the course of the energy transition, the issue of sustainable energy generation is becoming increasingly relevant. The research project entitled “H₂-ReNoWe” (referring to the “Hydrogen Region” of northwestern Lower Saxony) focuses on green hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced by sustainable means.
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Research Project En4U
Our future energy system must be designed to be particularly flexible in order to keep demand and availability in balance at all times despite fluctuating energy sources. Decentralised flexible electricity consumers such as heat pumps or electric cars are particularly valuable because they offer the possibility of shifting the load on the grid at times directly in the households. The EN4U research project is therefore about gaining a better understanding of what influence they can have on the energy market and how a system-friendly provision of this flexibility can be politically stimulated.
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Research Project Wärmewende Nordwest
One of the climate goals set by the German government for 2050 is to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80% relative to the year 1990. Space heating and process heat as well as hot water make up a significant share of energy consumption in Germany, indicating a particular need for action to bring about a heating transition. For example, building renovations and the digitalisation of systems can contribute to restructuring the supply of heat and reducing heating energy consumption.
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Research Project ERAFlex II
Energy system and electricity market models support us in shaping the transformation of the energy system. However, different types of models may yield different results due their other perspective on the same system: For example, optimising capacity planning models can obtain theoretically optimal results when laying out an energy system. Their results differ, however, from those of agent-based simulation models which may also include more realistic restrictions like actor behaviour or forecast uncertainties. We refer to this difference as "efficiency gap". Efforts of the ERAFlex II project aim at reducing this efficiency gap by means of a bidirectional model coupling, thus integrating more realistic restrictions from agent-based models into the cost minimization process of capacity planning models. In this way we strive to find realizable states with minimal cost for future energy systems.
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Research Project SuSy
Renewable energy is normally converted from direct current to alternating current by means of inverters. The joint project SuSy is examining the potential use of direct current-based distribution grids on ships, so that energy – e.g. from photovoltaic systems or alternatively from fuel cells – can be made available at sea more efficiently, without this conversion process. The main goal is to develop a hybrid electrical system at the distribution level which appropriately combines direct and alternating current and thus to increase the absorption capacity of renewable energy on passenger ships. The aim is for this principle to be subsequently transferable to other types of ships.
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Research Project Roadmap Gas Transition
The project goal is to assess the role of synthetic gases in the future energy system, in particular with regard to their impact on the transformation of the European gas infrastructure, the interaction with other sector coupling options and the further development of the regulatory framework. The analysis is to be carried out both from the perspective of the overall system and from the perspective of the actors.
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2020
Forschungsprojekt Digi-HyPro
Im Projekt soll das Zusammenspiel zwischen Elektrolyseur, Metallhydridspeicher, Brennstoffzelle, Gasnetz und Gasverbraucher analysiert und durch umfassende Systemsimulationen mit Hilfe einer digitalen Smart-Energy-Transform-Box (SET-Box) optimiert werden, um die Komponenten optimal für eine energie- und kosteneffiziente Wasserstoffspeicherung ohne fossile Brennstoffe aufeinander abstimmen zu können.
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Research Project NFDI4Ing
Large amount of data are processed from different sources within research projects of energy systems analysis. The aim of the NFDI4Ing consortium is to develop a secure data management for engineering and science-related research. By applying the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, the data shall be made available as open source and citable for the long-term.
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Research Project ReMoDigital (Site Stuttgart)
The overall objective of the project is the further development and application of models of the energy and transport system for the evaluation of the resilience of these systems. The aim is to generate insights into the extent to which different stress cases (e.g. technical disturbances, extreme weather situations) affect the systems under consideration, particularly with regard to the digitalisation of the energy system transformation, and how these systems can recover from the disturbances.
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Research Project ROLLEN
In order to utilise excess energy from renewable sources, it must be stored or distributed. One option for distribution using electric vehicles is being studied in the project ROLLEN. Equipped with charging systems capable of feeding energy back into the grid, the electric vehicles should variably distribute the excess energy at different places and times.
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Research Project WindRamp
If wind power is to be optimally integrated into energy systems, wind speeds have to be predicted reliably. To improve the forecasting of “wind ramps” (these are drastic changes in wind speed within the space of half an hour), the WindRamp project is researching the use of laser technology to observe wind conditions.
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Research Project Zero Emission
In the context of the energy transition, hydrogen is seen as the energy source of the future. However, a sustainable energy supply means the production process for this hydrogen must be sustainable too – what is needed is “green” hydrogen. The Zero Emission research project aims to use such renewable hydrogen to power the Lampoldshausen site of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in the future.
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Research Project DC-LEO
Expanding renewable energy sources in the mobility sector will play a key role in a successful energy transition. One particularly relevant aspect is finding ways to use existing grid structures efficiently, i.e. leveraging existing infrastructure as a lower-cost alternative to installing new systems. Part of this project is the development of a DC charging infrastructure (DC-LIS) for electric vehicle charging stations that will supply energy directly from the overhead lines that the trams use.
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Research Project Ariadne
The Kopernikus project Ariadne is researching which policy instruments are suitable to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement. From a better understanding of the effects of individual political measures and policy paths to an overview of the entire system - together with actors from politics, energy system transformation and society, the project is investigating meaningful strategies for energy system transformation and their acceptance by citizens.
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Forschungsprojekt Sesame Seed
Je stärker unser Energiesystem auf fluktuierenden Energiequellen basiert, desto relevanter werden Speicher zum Ausgleich von Nachfrage und Erzeugung. Die technische Modellierung solcher Speicher stellt sich dabei als sehr komplex dar. Deshalb müssen vereinfachte Ansätze gewählt werden, die gleichzeitig auch die Systemwirksamkeit der Speicheranlagen adäquat wiedergeben. Vor diesem Hintergrund soll im Forschungsprojekt Sesame Seed ein standardisierter und wissenschaftlich abgesicherter Ansatz zur Bewertung von Energiespeichern für unterschiedliche Anwendungen entwickelt werden. Die im Projekt entwickelten Modelle sollen anschließend open-source veröffentlicht werden.
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Research Project TradeRES
The TradeRES project will develop and test innovative electricity market designs that can meet society’s needs of a (near) 100% renewable power system. A long-term sustainable market design needs to provide efficient operational and investment incentives for an electricity system that is characterized by a high share of variable renewable energy sources (VREs) by increasing integration with other energy sectors, e.g. transport and hydrogen, and by increasing participation of flexible electricity demand from households to industrial consumers. Furthermore, this market design needs to provide security of supply by ensuring sufficient controllable electricity generation capacity.
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Research Project HyResponder
With the increased use of hydrogen in industry and in mobility, it is becoming increasingly important for emergency responders and paramedics to be prepared to handle hydrogen technology in the event of an accident. For this reason, a training program for hydrogen safety was developed in the project HyResponse and then further expanded and implemented throughout Europe in the research project HyResponder. By developing safety strategies and establishing a European network for trainers, a comprehensive programme is being created to considerably improve the response capabilities in the event of hydrogen accidents.
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2019
Research Project eGoⁿ
The increased use of renewable energy sources and the progress made in sector integration are influencing what the energy system will look like in years to come. The groundwork must be laid to ensure its stability. In the eGoⁿ research project, an existing planning tool that works across different sectors and grid levels is being enhanced so that sector integration can be incorporated into the studies being done. The aim is to use this planning tool on an open platform to determine how best to expand grids and storage systems in Germany.
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Research Project ELogZ
As part of the energy transition, the mobility sector, just like the electricity and heat sectors, must be made more sustainable – and this means not only private cars. The ELogZ (energy-efficient logistics centre) research project is focusing on the logistics industry and looking at analysing, developing and simulating an electricity-based energy supply concept for a logistics site, specifically the electrification of temperature-controlled transport.
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Research Project Smart4RES
The increasing integration of weather-dependent renewable energy sources is forcing the adaptation and improvement of Europe’s energy systems. The project Smart4RES will tackle these problems in the hopes of fundamentally improving the overall energy model and the value chain for the forecasting of renewable energy sources.
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Research Project UNSEEN (Site Stuttgart)
For the development and analysis of energy scenarios, the application of models is crucial. Considering the fact that energy systems analysis is an important instrument for policy advice, the question of the reliability of scenarios is essential as these scenarios are subject to a large number of uncertainties. This challenge is addressed in UNSEEN. By inspecting a very large parameter space, a hitherto unattained number of model-based energy scenarios is to be evaluated. In particular, this also includes extreme and disruptive scenarios.
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Research Project UNSEEN (Site Oldenburg)
Energy systems need to stay stable if they are to guarantee a reliable supply, even in the event of fluctuations caused by grid bottlenecks or power station failures. The UNSEEN research project is developing a method for simulating and evaluating numerous scenarios involving these impacts in order to be prepared for disruptions of this kind. Artificial intelligence is being integrated to speed up the necessary processes and forecast a large number of potential optimisation measures.
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Research Project SiNED
The energy transition and the increasing development of renewable energy sources mean that existing strategies for regulating and maintaining the energy supply need to be adapted. In the future, these so-called system services will be provided by local generators and, in this context, further improved to meet the requirements of the energy transition and digitalisation. This is precisely where the SiNED project is focusing its research: to ensure that these processes are optimised.
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Research Project SOLREV (Site Stuttgart)
The goal of the DLR sub-project of SOLREV is the investigation and evaluation of models for providing solar radiation data and forecasts to support the integration of large volumes of solar energy into the grid and to ensure the long-term yields of solar power plants and facilitate German participation in IEA PVPS Task 16.
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Research Project VERMEER
With the increasing share of variable renewable energy sources (VRE) in energy systems, the dependence of electricity production on weather conditions increases. In addition to dispatchable power plants, storage systems, demand-side management, the expansion of electricity grids and the import and export of electricity with foreign markets can provide the increased need for flexibility. The aim of the project is to assess the security of supply of electricity in Germany in extreme weather situations, taking into account the potential for intra-European balancing.
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Research Project Economic indicators of the energy system
The aim of the German energy transition is the transformation of the energy system towards a more climate-friendly system. Some indicators required for the monitoring of the energy system transition have so far been made available mainly within the framework of the energy balances and the AGEE-Stat. The macroeconomic indicators of the energy system transition, such as investments, effective domestic demand and employment, will be determined for the years 2018-2022 within the framework of this project and made available for the monitoring process of the energy system transition.
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Research Project LOD-GEOSS (Site Stuttgart)
The project is about the development of da networked data base concept based on the ideas of linked open data and the semantic web for input and output data of energy system models in energy systems analysis. Further a link shall be established to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems for spatially and temporally resolved data.
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Research Project LOD-GEOSS (Site Oldenburg)
The large quantities of data required in energy systems analysis are collected within the individual research projects. Frequently, these data are collected separately in each project without being linked together. To simplify the search and access process as well as to enable an efficient exchange of data, the LOD-GEOSS project is researching the development of a networked database concept. For this purpose, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems is investigating the possibility of using the global and European Earth observation programmes (GEOSS and Copernicus respectively) in energy systems analysis.
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Research Project HI-CAM
HI-CAM is a research initiative of the Helmholtz association on climate change adaptation and mitigation. For the next two years, scientists and communication specialists in HI-CAM will focus on the following three topics: (i) the development of science-based scenarios to support a mitigation strategy leading to a carbon-neutral Germany in 2050, (ii) the development of sectorial impact projections and their cross-sectorial interconnectedness in order to develop appropriate adaptation to extremes options from a systemic perspective, (iii) the development of coherent communication strategies and campaigns to raise the awareness and interact with society on the issue of climate change impacts, risks and challenges
Reseach Project HYCAVMOBIL
Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly important source of energy for sector integration within the framework of the energy transition. HyCavMobil (Hydrogen Cavern for Mobility) is a research project that examines whether hydrogen can be stored in salt caverns and then used for fuel cell mobility.
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Research Project e-shape
EuroGEOSS represents Europe’s contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and is intended to promote the use of GEO-generated data. The e-shape project supports the development of EuroGEOSS, including by means of seven “showcases” covering the fields of food safety, sustainable agriculture, health monitoring, renewable energy, monitoring of ecosystems, management of water resources, catastrophe resilience and climate monitoring.
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Research Project EcoCab
A significant proportion of the materials used and energy consumed on cruise ships is due to the large number of passenger cabins. Each individual ship is fitted with 3,000 or more cabins. By developing innovative concepts and technical solutions for ship cabins, the EcoCab project is making an important contribution towards planning a holistic strategy aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability throughout the shipbuilding industry.
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Research Project CAMS-72
Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation programme provides services in different environmental themes embodying state of the planet Earth. The solar radiation services meet the needs of European and national policy development for the energy transition and they support with their open data policy public and commercial downstream services in planning, monitoring, efficiency improvements, and integration of renewable energies into the energy supply grids, targeting particularly the solar energy applications.
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Research Project solar fuels
Both in research and in practice, experts agree that – notwithstanding the goal of 1 million electric vehicles – significant penetration of the German vehicle fleet with electric cars and utility vehicles will take a long time. This results in a need to quickly provide technologies that can promote a rapid reduction in the fossil CO2 emissions from transportation.
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Research Project FlexMex
The overarching objectives of the FlexMex model experiment are on the one hand the systematic evaluation of different modelling approaches of energy system models, and on the other hand the quantification of model uncertainties on the basis of ensemble calculations. In doing so, different promising model approaches of a temporally and spatially resolved analysis of the future power supply in Germany are compared. The focus is on the evaluation of different load balancing options.
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Research Project MODEX-Net
A high-performance European-wide power grid is needed in order to integrate renewable energies into existing systems within the framework of the energy transition, while maintaining a high level of supply security. Grid modelling is becoming more and more important in terms of planning such power grid. The MODEX-Net research project involves an examination of existing grid models taking into account the European context. The goal is to harmonise grid comparison criteria and the results of these comparisons, therefore increasing the comparability, transparency and development potential of grid models.
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2018
Research Project Wobas-A
For solar power stations, the constant alternation of sun and clouds result in a continuous disruption of the balance between power supply and demand. Short-term forecasts are therefore used to restore this balance and ensure a constant electricity supply. In the project WobaS-A, a cloud camera-based forecasting system realised in the previous project WobaS is being improved and prepared for use in various power stations with parabolic fluted reflectors, solar towers and photovoltaics.
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Research Project Multi-criteria analysis for building and assessing sustainable scenario pathways
In the frame of the Helmholtz Research School on Energy Scenarios DLR conducts a new PhD project financed by a Helmholtz scholarship. The International Research School on Energy Scenarios is a common institution of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) together with partners from the University of Stuttgart, ISI Fraunhofer Institute and German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The research school provides an internationally unique opportunity to become an outstanding researcher in energy scenario analysis. It provides high quality training for doctoral researchers in a structured, three year's program.
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Research Project MENAfuels
The production of large quantities of synthetic fuels (and chemicals) requires significant quantities of low-cost renewable energy. Especially the sun- and wind-rich countries of the MENA region with their large renewable energy potentials are suitable locations for the production of synthetic fuels and their precursors. Moreover, trade relations and infrastructures already exist with many countries on which can be built. Yet, which potentials are available in the individual states? At what cost are the resources available? Which transport structures are needed? Which effects does the import have on value creation both in Germany and in the MENA states? Which interest do the states of the MENA region have to use their renewable energy potentials for domestic supply, but also for export? Which competitors are to be expected outside the MENA region and the EU?
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Research Project South Africa Mini-Grid
In the follow-up project to ENGINEER, a monitoring system for local power distribution networks (mini-grids) is being developed and set up under the aegis of the BLP GIZ South Africa Mini-Grid in order to learn more about sustainable, decentralised energy supply and thus establish a framework for other regions. These projects under Germany’s Federal Government-Länder Programme (BLP) in cooperation with the country’s international development agency, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), are helping to electrify South Africa, where some 15% of all households still lack mains electricity.
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Research Project INTEEVER II
The project addresses research needs arising from the previous project INTEEVER (FKZ 03ET4020). On the one hand, this concerns the degree of abstraction and differentiation of technologies for balancing consumption and generation in the German and European electricity system, and thus the input data of the models, which have a significant impact on the results. On the other hand, the project aims for a close coupling of energy system modelling and power flow simulation in the European transmission grid.
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Research Project HyReK
The supply of energy from renewable energy sources is subject to natural fluctuations in the weather and shifts in consumer demand. In order to ensure that the grid’s stability is maintained despite these fluctuations, regulating power stations are needed to compensate for the disparities between the planned amounts and the actual energy consumption. The HyReK project develops and optimises operational management strategies and specialised hardware components for a hybrid regulating power station.
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Research Project IKT free
Security is absolutely critical when it comes to digitalised energy systems technologies. The distribution grid is an increasingly networked energy system. The project IKTfree aims to preserve the distribution grid as a robust system in the face of interruptions or the failure of information and communications technologies (ICT).
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Research Project HyForPV
A new forecasting method based on a combination of different data sources is being developed and standardised in the HyForPV research project for the purposes of system integration and further expansion of photovoltaics.
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Research Project KEROSyN100
The KEROSyN100 research project is a practical example of the sector integration of power and mobility. The project focuses on a power-to-jet plant that will be used by a community in Schleswig-Holstein to produce synthetic kerosene from surplus wind energy.
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Research Project HySeas III
The Institute of Networked Energy Systems is one of the partner organisations involved in the “HySeas III” research project developing the world’s first sea-going hydrogen-powered ferry with fuel cells. The role of the DLR scientists within the larger project is to provide comprehensive analyses. These include, but are not limited to, economic and environmental assessments and evaluating the expected job creation and market potential.
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Research Project BENiVer (Site Stuttgart)
This joint project represents the Accompanying Research of the funding initiative "Energy transformation in transport" (“Energiewende im Verkehr”). The overall objective of the project is to support the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in the field of electricity-based fuels.
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Research Project BEniVer (Site Oldenburg)
The accompanying research project BEniVer carries out in-depth analysis of the development of synthetic fuels. The aim is to connect the funding initiative’s 15 technical research projects involving over 100 research groups and industry partners, identify potential synergies and ensure the comparability of the research results.
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Research Project PEROSEED
The high-profile strategic project PEROSEED aims to complete a first complete development cycle for novel multi-layer solar cells with perovskite layer - from material design to the final module including system aspects. This project is therefore also designed as a model case for recycling management and includes all system steps in a quantifiable way.
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Research Project Lifetime INH5000
System components and operational modes have a significant effect on the durability and efficiency of fuel cells. The Institute of Networked Energy Systems is conducting research on operational strategies to improve efficiency and reduce wear in thermal power stations’ fuel cells and provide validation of their performance under real operating conditions.
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Research Project Transport 5.0
The main objective of the German Aerospace Center's (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) cross-sectoral Transport 5.0 project is conducting research into and the development of safe, adaptive and cooperative automation for road and rail transport, as well as shipping and aviation. A central goal is the development of cross-domain, self-organising cooperation schemes and organisational principles for a user-centred transport system.
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Research Project EVer
In order to achieve Germany's environmental goals, major changes in the energy and transport sectors are required.As a result of the necessary changes in the energy and transport sectors, the coupling of these sectors over the next years and decades is essential. The aim of the project "Energy and Transport" is to quantify and analyze the interactions between the transport system and energy production.
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Research Project ANSWER-Kommunal
Municipal heating plans are an effective planning tool to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions for heating supply. During the heat planning process, decarbonisation strategies are developed for each municipality through an intelligent combination of energy savings, increased efficiency and renewable energies, taking into account the interactions with the electricity supply. A standardised methodology for the preparation of municipal heating plans does not yet exist in Germany. The aim of the ANSWER-Kommunal project is to develop a transferable, standardized analysis and results grid for municipal heating plans. This is intended to ensure transparency, comparability and the possibility of adding the climate protection contributions of individual municipal heating plans and also to provide municipalities with technical support in drawing up the heating plans.
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Research Project InNOSys
The political debate on the sustainable transformation of the energy system often focusses on the aspects of climate protection and associated expenses for private households and the industry. Other aspects such as resource demand, social acceptance or life cycle emissions of pollutants are often neglected. However, the national strategy of the German Government has to consider these issues as well in order to develop and implement political measures to foster a transformation towards a sustainable energy system. The main objective of the project InNOSys is the development of a new generic modelling and assessment approach for energy scenarios which allows a multicriteria assessment and optimisation of technically and structurally feasible development pathways of the energy system in Germany. Assessment criteria include economic, ecologic and social indicators.
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Research Project ENaQ
The Institute of Networked Energy Systems and 20 partners from industry and the research sector have won the bid to create an energy-efficient neighbourhood (ENaQ) on part of the site formerly occupied by the Fliegerhorst airfield in Oldenburg. The project seeks to involve the public in the design and implementation of an environmentally friendly residential district on the site, which will include around 110 residential units in existing and new buildings located not far from the town centre.
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Research Project SciGRID_Gas
The Institute for Networked Energy Systems aims with the SciGRID_Gas project at developing an open model of the European gas transport network for the ENTSO-G network. The model will provide a reference gas transport network for scientific investigations and will be based on public and non-public data sets. SciGRID_Gas will be compatible with the existing open source model of the European electricity transmission network SciGRID, which was developed at the predecessor institute NEXT ENERGY from 2014 to 2017.
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2017
Research Project REfuels-Brazil
The demand for fuels in Brazil is rising rapidly with an annual growth rate of around 5%. Expanding the supply of existing alternative fuels in Brazil, such as biodiesel and ethanol, cannot keep pace with this development, or could lead to increased, undesirable environmental side effects. In the National Strategy of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTIC), therefore, alternative fuels are a priority in order to continue to meet growing demand with innovative technological alternatives while contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the project is the further development of fuels from renewable energies (solar, wind, hydropower but not primarily biomass) and their conversion into aviation use in Brazil. Thus, impulses of global reach for climate protection can be set.
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Research Project MetPVNet
In order for solar energy to account for a higher proportion of the energy mix in Germany, the grid management system must be more effectively adapted in line with the increased weather dependency of the grid feed-in, and there is a need for planning data. This project is developing innovative energy meteorology methods for satellite-based radiation and PV yield forecasts at the system level and is testing their application in an energy management system at the distribution grid level.
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Research Project START
In the START project, the partners pursue three overarching goals. The first objective is to establish and deepen bilateral research cooperation between German and Australian research organisations. The second objective is a comprehensive analysis and a deeper understanding of the transformation towards zero-emission energy systems in Germany (embedded in the European energy system) and Australia, focusing in particular on the common challenges of both countries, their respective technological options, regulatory barriers, policy options and economic opportunities. The third objective is to connect research with stakeholders from politics, business and society.
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Research Project IBiFi
In order to continue with a cost-effective energy transition we will need storage systems in the megawatt range. High-efficiency long-life redox flow batteries are ideal as they barely discharge at all. Bipolar plates and graphite felts are core components of these batteries. The IBiFi research project aims to develop a less complex and more cost-effective manufacturing process in order to combine these components.
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Research Project InnoSEn
The project focus lies on the analysis of knowledge and its dynamics in innovation networks relevant for key technologies of the “Energiewende”. Models and methods from the interdisciplinary innovation research as well as energy system models are used in order to cover sociological and socio-economic aspects in the analysis.
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Research Project EMGIMO
The EMGIMO project develops attractive solutions for generating electricity in environmentally friendly ways in urban areas. The focus is on something called sector coupling, which integrates electric mobility and carbon-neutral electricity in commercial buildings in a grid-compatible way. With the help of “machine learning” algorithms, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems develops prognoses with respect to managing the building’s load, which makes it possible to project generation times and high load times. Technical feasibility will be tested in a pilot building located in Munich.
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Research Project ZERO BRINE
The project aims at demonstrating new solutions to recover and recycle valuable materials present in industrial waste-water streams, in order to implement a circular economy approach in various process industries. This approach consists in the development of technological solutions and business models to redesign the post-treatment chains of the effluents generated by the industrial processes.
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Research Project BIPVpod
The BIPVpod research project aims to combine photovoltaic technology, optimised energy generation and design on a sustainable basis using individual building-integrated photovoltaic modules.
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Research Project Energy Systems Integration
One of the challenges of the energy transformation is among others the intelligent networking of the various components of our energy systems. The collaborations across sectors, e.g. between generators, storage options, consumers and different transport systems are currently only represented insufficiently. The project focusses on the technological and economical interaction of the components of the energy system.
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Research Project Power-to-flex
Diverging supply and demand for renewable energies can be balanced out across the overall network. An alternative to this is decentralised use. The Power to Flex project is developing innovative pilot projects for storage methods on a small scale so that power produced directly in households and small business can also be used at flexible times as electricity, heat or fuel.
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Research Project HYPP
The objective of the HYPP project is to operate photosynthesis and photovoltaics using one and the same module. It involves development of a solar cell that allows the light wavelengths required for photosynthesis to pass through and yet absorbs as many of the others as possible. There are many options for using such a hybrid module, ranging from energy-producing building facades to greenhouses.
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Research Project SYSEET
Germany is committed to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 95% until 2050. Therefore a decarbonisation of fuels for industry and long-distance traffic is also necessary. This requires both renewable electricity and different carbon sources, and leads to particular challenges: the necessary power demand will be a multiple of direct electricity consumption. Available carbon sources are either fossil (e.g., from industrial exhaust gases), limited (e.g., from biomass), or lead to additional energy demand (atmospheric CO2). The SYSEET project therefore pursues a systematic assessment of the supply of gaseous and liquid energy carriers based on renewable energy, biomass and CO2.
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Research Project C/sells
The C/sells project is based on the idea of combining infrastructure cells into an organism in which economic opportunities, technological necessities and the aim for sustainable operation are harmonized. The C/sells project aims to span an east-west solar arc of flexibility from Bavaria via Hesse to Baden-Württemberg. This cellular structure, which supports joint actions within and between the cells and also across borders, leads to a robust energy infrastructure.
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Research Project global 2.0°C and 1.5°C scenarios
The Paris Agreement sets a long-term target of holding the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Most of the available global long-term scenarios are not ambitious enough to meet these targets with a high degree of certainty or are based on options that have proven to be either unsupported by markets and the society and/or may cause significant damage to ecosystems. The aim of the project is to develop two 100% renewable and integrated energy and transport scenarios leading to a full decarbonisation (‘defossilisation’) of the global energy sector within one generation (by 2050).
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Research Project ENERA
ENERA represents the next step in the energy transition: a value creation network made up of existing and new stakeholders in the energy industry. The Energy Systems Technology Department at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems is developing a platform to simulate different scenarios for flexible energy use on a laboratory scale as part of a sub-project.
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Research Project Smarte Pfosten (smart light posts)
The aim of this research project is the development of "smart light posts", for example by upgrading existing street lamps, which will establish an open hardware and software platform for smart city services in public spaces.
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Research Project ENGINEER
A lack of electrification limits economic development. The ENGINEER project has built a self-contained power grid in a South African village with the broader aim of providing greater economic opportunities and improved living conditions to off-grid regions. Residents are provided with solar power by a so-called hybrid mini-grid, and the concept can be transferred to other regions.
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2016
Research Project BaSyMo
With the BaSyMo joint research project, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems aims to advance the development, design and ergonomics of a modular battery system. The goal is to develop a standardised battery design that can be used in a variety of applications.
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Research Project ENavi
Mit der Energiewende hat sich Deutschland zum Ziel gesetzt, das gegenwärtige Energiesystem in ein weitgehend CO2-freies und auf erneuerbaren Energien basierendes System zu transformieren. Ein wirtschaftliches, umweltverträgliches, verlässliches und sozialverträgliches Energiesystem benötigt eine ganzheitliche Betrachtung auf Systemebene. ENavi sieht die Energiewende daher als einen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Transformationsprozess und verknüpft wissenschaftliche Analysen mit politisch-gesellschaftlichen Anforderungen.
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Research Project Energy [R]evolution country studies Belarus
The Energy [R]evolution Project series is continued in cooperation with Greenpeace and newly the Böll Stiftung with a scenario for Belarus. The country study show, how the globally developed pathways towards a climate protecting and globally more equitable energy system can be implemented in practice on national level for Belarus.
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Research Project 4NEMO
The 4NEMO project aims at an extended integration of economic and social dynamics and related uncertainties into energy system models. For this purpose, existing models will be developed further in order to allow for a better comparison between models. Moreover, integrated scenarios will be developed and used to conduct a model comparison exercise. Respective results will be used to show strengths, weaknesses and comparative advantages of the different models and to improve the transparency in energy-system modelling.
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Research Project MuSeKo
Until 2050 the share of renewables is projected to rise to 80% of German electricity generation and to 60% for overall energy consumption. In order to integrate this new and partially intermittent electricity generation while maintaining the security of supply it is necessary to render generation and demand largely flexible. At the same time achieving a high share of renewables in the heat and transportation sector requires a substantial substitution of far fossil fuels. Methodological developments of the existing energy system models are required for the analysis of renewables system integration via coupled electricity, gas, heat and transportation sectors.
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Research Project ERAFlex
The rising share of supply-dependent renewable energy in the power system leads to the need for increasing flexibility at different system levels. At the decentralized level in the electricity sector, the controllable (dispatchable) conventional and renewable energy generation, energy storage, demand response, and the expansion of transmission and distribution girds must be brought together integrative as flexibility options. However, implementation measures of the energy transition policies show discrepancies with the model results a system optimization approaches on purely techno-economic basis.
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Research Project Drahtlos
Parking an electric car at home and ensuring an efficient energy supply within your own four walls: inductive charging and intelligent energy management are not just convenient solutions. Anyone who fills the interface between an electric car and domestic energy supply also enjoys financial benefits, as shown by the project “Drahtlos”.
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Research Project DYNAMOS
Incorporating renewable energy to produce powerful systematic effects: high-frequency fluctuations and their consequences on demand for market-oriented system services
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2015
Research Project BEAM-ME
BEAM-Me is a research project within the German 6th Energy research program funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The research project aims at improving computational performance of energy system models. Energy system models (ESM) are widely used in research and industry to analyze todays and future energy systems and potential pathways for the European energy transition. Current studies address future policy design, analysis of technology pathways and the analysis of future energy systems. To analyze these questions and support the transformation of today’s energy systems, ESM are required to become increasingly complex in order to provide valuable quantitative insights for policy makers and industry. Especially when analyzing uncertainty and integration of large shares of renewable energies, ESM requires a detailed implementation of the underlying electricity system.
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Research Project ResiFlow
A team of developers at the Institute of Networked Energy Systems is developing a patented battery for localised use based on vanadium redox flow technology called “ResiFlow”. The battery can be adapted for use on its own in commercial and agricultural locations.
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Research Project BuildHeat
The majority of people in Europe live in apartment buildings. These buildings have a great potential for greater energy efficiency. The BuildHEAT research project funded by the European Union has set itself the goal of reducing the energy consumption of these buildings by up to 80 per cent by exploiting the existing potential for savings. The aim is to develop technologies that are faster and easier to install than conventional systems.
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Research Project D2Service
The D2Service project aims to develop methods to simplify the maintenance of different types of fuel cell-based micro combined heat and power plants (micro-CHP systems). The primary objective is to significantly reduce the cost and effort of repair work.
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Research Project open_eGo
Do we need more storage systems or more pipelines in order to secure stable energy supplies now and in the future? – Answers to this question are becoming more and more pressing given the increasing share of renewable energies in electricity supply. The research project open_eGo provides a freely available planning tool in order to optimally design the grid infrastructure for future loads at all voltage levels from an economic standpoint.
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Research Project Macroeconomic effects and distribution issues of the German energy transition
The aim of the German energy transition is the transformation of the energy system towards a more climate-friendly system. Major elements of this transformation are the increase of energy efficiency as well as the expansion of renewable energies. For the political monitoring of the energy transition a number of indicators are required some of which are provided by energy balances or the working group on Renewable Energies – Statistics (AGEE-Stat). However, the provision of indicators regarding macroeconomic effects of the energy transition is methodically rather difficult. So far methods and indicators for individual areas have been developed but none that cover all aspects of the energy transition.
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Research Project RegMex
This project aims at the development of a coordinated scenario framework for energy system model analysis. In doing so, all relevant and interested research groups are involved.
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Research Project ES2050
To successfully continue and complete the energy transition in Germany (“Energiewende”), it is important that technical and scientific, ecological, economic, and social aspects of the transformation be analysed comprehensively and at an early stage and incorporated in the process. In this research topic, scientists transfer the method of Life-Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) to the level of energy systems.
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Research Project Effects of the measures taken by the Federal Government within the target architecture for the energy transition
A study by a consortium of Prognos AG, the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on behalf of the BMWi analyzed the effects of the various energy policy instruments within the target architecture for the energy transition and how they promote the achievement of energy policy goals.
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Research Project Green Access
How can the power network incorporate the maximum number of renewable energies at the lowest possible cost? One solution lies in the automation of medium and low-voltage networks, which are generally used to integrate photovoltaic and wind power plants. The Green Access research project examines how the building blocks of an intelligent network work together for optimum efficiency.
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Research Project INTEEVER
The integration of high shares of spatially and temporally distributed fluctuating energy resources is an increasing challenge for the future energy supply. In order to integrate renewable energies into the energy system while ensuring the security of supply at the same time, an extensive transformation of existing energy infrastructures is necessary.
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Research Project Lighthouse project „Power-to-Gas“
Power-to-Gas is a process for the storage of green electricity and for the generation of CO2-neutral fuels (hydrogen and methane). The outstanding importance of Power-to-Gas for future load management and for a promising future, sustainable mobility - and thus for the decisive elements of the energy system transformation - among energy policy actors in Germany is undisputed. The validity of the concept has been shown by ZSW, who has been able to achieve a technically flawless functioning within the framework of several projects.
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Research Project SciGRID
Will we need transmission lines all the way from the North Sea to southern Germany if we are to succeed in making the transition to renewable energies? Can the deployment of storage units address local bottlenecks in the transmission grid? The SciGRID research project has created an open model of European transmission networks to help us answer these types of questions by using, for example, detailed energy system simulations.
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Research Project Solar Potential Analysis for Pakistan
The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has been commissioned by the World Bank to investigate Pakistan’s potential for the exploitation of solar energy.
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Research Project VEU
DLR focuses its expertise on sustainable transport systems in the research project VEU. How will we be mobile in tomorrow´s world? What options do we have to develop transport more sustainably? A network of twelve research institutes overseen by DLR is researching those and other questions with regard to our future mobility.
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Research Project Helmholtz-Kolleg "Energieszenarien" (energy scenarios)
In the context of Germanys “Energiewende” as well as in the transition of the current energy system towards increased sustainability, energy-economic and -political decision making is mainly relying on methods of system modelling and scenario analysis. These methods produce a large quantity of scenarios and sometimes lead to contradicting results due to methodological uncertainties, different model approaches and assumptions as well due to different system boundaries. With respect to this context a holistic approach regarding future energy scenarios is necessary and one of the main goals of Helmholtz’s Research School on Energy Scenarios.
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Research Project Helmholtz-Allianz "ENERGY-TRANS"
In this scheme the development of Germany's energy supply is considered as a socio-technical system. During a period of 5 years technical aspects of the “Energiewende” will be investigated in close connection with the related social processes.
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Association management and energy industry leader Mir M. Mustafa, JD, CAE, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA), the world’s largest organization exclusively dedicated to On-Site Power Generation. Mustafa becomes the first-ever Chief Executive Officer of the Association. Previously, the day-to-day management and staff activities of ...
By Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA)
In the wake of the Texas power crisis, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) President and CEO Dr. Arshad Mansoor said improved forecasting, cross-sectoral integration and a greater focus on the emerging roles of consumers and communities are key to improving the resilience of the nation's energy infrastructure. In a virtual panel discussion this month on resilient energy infrastructure ...
James Mater is the co-founder of QualityLogic, a provider of smart grid test tools and training for DER protocols. Founded in 1986, the company also specializes in providing software QA testing and engineering services. QualityLogic's customers include technology companies around the world in a wide range of industries. The below is from James' recent interview for SGO's energy insight podcast ...
In partnership with ENGV, PDC Machines and IVYS Inc. have combined efforts to bring the first retail hydrogen station to Australia. The station will support a fleet of 20 Hyundai Nexo clean running hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for use in the Australia Capital Government, catalyzing the rollout of public facing, retail hydrogen ...
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Meeting Los Angeles' ambitious goal of reliable, 100% renewable electricity by 2045 or even 2035 is achievable with rapid deployment of wind, solar, storage, and other renewable energy technologies this decade, according to a years-long analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The combined effects of energy efficiency, electrification, and demand ...
Hunt Energy Network this week announced it has formed a new venture, in collaboration with Manulife Investment Management, that will actively participate in the energy storage space within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Manulife Investment Management's commitment was sourced for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) balance sheet as well as third party managed ...
The Honourable Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., this week announced a combined investment of over $900,000 for two smart grid projects in Alberta that will enhance the energy grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The first investment of $495,000 is for FortisAlberta Inc. to support the ...
Columbia Power Technologies, Inc. (C-Power) and RigNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNET), a leading provider of ultra-secure telecommunications and intelligent networking solutions, today announced a collaboration in which RigNet will provide a comprehensive set of data and communications solutions for C-Power’s autonomous offshore power systems (AOPS). The solutions will provide upstream and downstream ...
Renewable energy organizations representing different spheres of the renewable energy community gathered earlier this week on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident to emphasise that renewable energies are not only available in abundance but ready to deliver a renewable world. The combination of all renewable technologies, be it ...
The U.S. Department of Energy this week announced up to $24.5 million to support improvements in domestic manufacturing to build resilient, modern electricity infrastructure and address the climate emergency. The two funding opportunities will back research and development for the materials and technologies needed to expand the grid with new, clean-energy sources, deliver affordable electricity ...
EV Connect, a California-based software-as-a-service company, announced its collaboration with the Indiana-based Battery Innovation Center (BIC) and Energy Systems Network (ESN) to deploy Indiana's first large-scale Vehicle-to-Grid capable charging system to support school bus fleet, HD truck, and other customer segment applications. EV Connect will provide its electric vehicle charging ...
The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its advanced energy storage technology for two major projects in southern Texas, USA. The interconnected stand-alone systems will have a combined rated capacity of 200 MW. Wärtsilä has also signed ten-year guaranteed asset performance agreements for the installations. The order was placed by Able Grid Energy Solutions, a utility-scale ... | https://www.energy-xprt.com/energy-storage/news |
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October - 2016 - issue
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CXO INSIGHT
Emerging Role Of Renewables And Energy Storage
Ramkumar Krishnan
CTO-Fluidic Energy
Thursday, October 13, 2016
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The world is undergoing a monumental shift to sustainable renewable energy, evolving both in the developed world toward cleaner generation sources and the developing world to broad electrification efforts. Access to electricity and communication will bring significant benefits as a platform for economic growth in developing, rural regions. As costs continue to decrease for solar and wind generation, renewable deployments are increasing worldwide. Yet the inherent intermittency of renewables continues to challenge broader adoption, misaligns supply and demand and causes disruptions to current developed grid environments. Furthermore, in off-grid environments, renewables cannot provide a reliable 24/7 source of energy. Energy Storage provides the ability to capture renewable generation and smoothly deliver when and where needed. Long duration energy storage can solve the problem of solar and wind intermittency and provide reliable electricity without the use of diesel generators, eliminating harmful emissions and lowering costs. Despite a clear need for energy storage solutions to propel the use of renewables, there are several obstacles that need to be addressed.
Application Variability:
The energy storage market needs to address numerous applications from short burst frequency regulation to the transportation sector to longer duration applications required by widespread renewable penetration. To date, most focus has been on shorter duration technologies such as Li-ion and Ultra capacitors. While these technologies are well suited for providing energy from a few seconds up to an hour, other technologies such as flow batteries and metal-air batteries are better suited for longer duration markets as power and energy can be decoupled providing a more optimal solution.
Energy Policy:
Current regulation (and compensation) is grounded in the old system of polluting power plants-from the developed world where countries and U.S. states have been slow to adopt incentivizing legislation-to the developing world where countries are still progressing toward open markets for off grid Microgrids. However, in developing countries such as Indonesia, Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania, there is a growing trend towards decentralization of energy and even governments are leading initiatives for alternate methods of energy generation and distribution.
Economic Disparity:
In many parts of the developing world various factors including: the lack of cohesive legislation; inefficient and virtually bankrupt state owned utilities; and the subsequent problems with constructing bankable projects, make it very difficult to bring electricity to regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa where 625M+ people are living without access. Interestingly, ambitious people who live in these regions have started adopting alternate methods such as solar power, high efficiency DC appliances and are even disconnecting themselves from the grid due to frequent power outages and subsequent loss of revenue.
Performance, Theft and Reliability:
Shortcomings of traditional battery technologies include negative environmental impacts, safety concerns, high theft, short lifespans and reliability issues, particularly when operating in challenging climates. In many Southeast Asian countries, river bed pollution due to lead based batteries are causing severe health problems. New storage technologies based on Sodium, Zinc and Iron can alleviate these problems and are already being deployed in many of these regions.
Systems Management:
Traditional energy storage is unable to adapt to growing energy needs. Most batteries age with time and cannot be increased in size by adding more batteries in parallel due to impedance mismatches. Solutions that are modular, scalable and have easy, inexpensive means to upgrade power/energy over time are critical. Furthermore, smart controls as well as remote monitoring of energy generation, storage and power equipment are essential for reliable distributed energy and power management.
Lifetime and Cost:
Most battery technology costs are not commercially viable in long duration applications and lifetimes are short when faced with everyday operating parameters of high temperatures, deep depth of discharges and state of charge limitations. In addition, systems are often oversized to accommodate long runtimes and/or deep discharge needs, adding cost. Raw material cost and ability to use local, simple and inexpensive manufacturing and assembly of battery components can further spur commercial viability and local economic growth. Battery metals such as Zinc, Iron, Aluminum and Sodium are inexpensive, abundantly available on earth, easy to recycle and hence are better suited for providing Giga watt-hours of energy.
With the above issues addressed, the impact of long duration energy storage in the following two major markets will soar.
Rural Electrification
There are still 1.2 billion people living without electricity globally and Governments, Development Financial Institutions, and aid organizations acknowledge that access to reliable, affordable energy is possibly the most critical factor when it comes to creating a platform for economic growth and empowering individuals and communities. The majority of those without electricity live in rural areas with minimal infrastructure, landscape and climate factors that make access particularly challenging. Renewable and energy storage powered mini-grids may be their first opportunity to join the ranks of those with continuous, reliable and affordable electricity.
To meet 24/7 power needs for these populations, energy storage options must be affordable, safe, limit harmful emissions, minimize theft, provide broad operating temperatures, exhibit long life in real-life conditions, and have the ability to scale with economic and population growth. Also, as sun and wind are intermittent and other forms such as diesel generators are expensive due to the regions being remote, energy storage must be sized to cover extended periods when renewables are unavailable which requires continuous runtimes of 24 - 72 hours.
Communication
Since the beginning of 21st century, wireless communication has seen rapid adoption. Today, there are more active mobile phone connections than the world population! However, the telecom market continues to expand globally with much of the growth happening in the developing world where poor-grid or no grid is a way of life. Subscriber growth is centered in developing countries where there are still 3.5 billion people without mobile phones. A recent report commissioned by GSMA Green Power and IFC estimates that over 390,000 off-grid telecom towers will be deployed globally by 2020 and diesel consumption will increase to over 150 million barrels per year leading to over 45 million tons of CO2 release per year. Diesel generators produce polluting gases including CO2, NOx and have high theft value and maintenance costs. It is also difficult to get fuel to remote locations further drivingup costs. However, falling prices of solar and energy storage is changing this market rapidly. Renewable power generating sources combined with energy storage are increasingly being used for off grid continuous power for telecommunications.
The environments in the developing world are most often harsh both in their duty cycles and climates, and in remote, difficult to-get-to areas that have high theft frequency, which are nightmares for current storage technologies. An optimal backup solution would overcome these gaps, embodying qualities of low cost, theft resistance, robust operating and performance parameters, and remote monitoring for reliability. As the price of renewables continue to decrease, momentum is increasing for off-grid deployments of renewables (solar, wind) combined with advanced energy storage solutions (Advanced Li-Ion, Zinc-Air).
From the developed to the developing world, the global problem and desire is here, now the world is waiting for "how". How do we bring off-grid reliable renewable electricity to 1B+ people when storage is unreliable and expensive? How are we going to continue to realize ambitious renewable targets without wreaking havoc on the grid? The blaring request seems to be the same across these markets: Give me cost-effective, reliable, clean long duration storage! | https://www.siliconindia.com/magazine_articles/Emerging-Role-Of-Renewables-And-Energy-Storage-MNYC777745095.html |
Dr. Robert Denda on how Enel is working to engage electricity ecosystem stakeholders
Climate Action caught up with Dr. Robert Denda, Head of Innovation and Industrialisation at Enel Global Infrastructure and Networks, to discuss how Enel is working to engage electricity ecosystem stakeholders for the digital revolution.
Climate Action caught up with Dr. Robert Denda, Head of Innovation and Industrialisation at Enel Global Infrastructure and Networks, to discuss how Enel is working to engage electricity ecosystem stakeholders for the digital revolution.
Enel was a partner at our Energy Transition Summit earlier this year. What are the biggest challenges to the decarbonisation and electrification of our energy system currently?
The widespread availability of energy produced from renewable sources, the development of electric mobility and the increasing electrification of consumption are changing power distribution networks in fundamental ways, pushing them to take a much more central role in energy systems. In particular, decentralized, smaller scale renewable generation alongside the spread of distributed energy resources (DER) such as residential or commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop photovoltaics (PV), home batteries, as well as electric vehicles are requiring enhanced grid robustness, resiliency and flexibility to meet the needs of an energy world that is undergoing a quick transition.
As a result of these transformations, the distribution grids, that were built over the last 14 decades, will face during the current decade a technological renaissance unlike anything we’ve seen in the past.
Digitalizing power networks will become essential in order to guarantee reliability, quality and continuity of service and to enable the management of new flexibility systems. Moreover, electricity distribution grids will enable the development of many new actors such as demand-side aggregators, charging point operators and prosumers, leading to more open and participatory networks enabling grid users and electricity end customers to became an active player of the energy transition
In this process, distribution network operators need to become true orchestrators of energy systems at local level and deploy investment programs aimed at making grids more robust and reliable also through innovative technologies enhancing network automation and control capabilities.
So, if we really want to transition towards a more productive, efficient and environmental-conscious world, favoring decarbonization and electrification, the distribution grids need to be a priority.
Robert Denda spoke with Vanessa Miler-Fels from Microsoft during his session.
What role does data have in new grid systems, and how will it make them more sustainable?
The efficient management of networks will be enabled by an increasing level of digitalization of the infrastructure, which will require more computing power at the grid edge, enabling a powerful data-driven decision making.
Enel’s grids all over the world enable the execution of over 32 million operations every year. Using cloud computing, Quantum-computing inspired problem formulation and artificial intelligence technologies, we can leverage the information processing real data to improve field operations, reduce response time, increase service quality.
The efficient management of our networks at global level will be enabled by the adoption of a unique and integrated platform operating model that we are rolling out currently, leveraging on an increasing level of infrastructure digitalization.
This new global operating model is our way to get ready to the future role of DSOs in the energy transition: thanks to the power of data, we are improving quality and resiliency, making our operations more efficient, and increasing the flexibility of our grids.
Finally, the digitalization of our processes and technologies, combined with the adoption of circular economy by design principles throughout our entire value chain, will ensure a sustainable energy transition.
Are markets delivering the right signals for investment into power distribution grids, or will the transition depend more strongly on actions/policies from local and national governments?
According to BNEF, at least 14 trillion US dollars must be invested in grids worldwide by 2050 in order to support an evolved power system accommodating electric mobility and other forms of electrification alongside renewables. BNEF estimated that annual power grid investments will need to grow from roughly 235 billion US dollars in 2020 to 636 billion US dollars by 2050, representing a 3.4% year-over-year growth rate. At the same time, by 2050 worldwide investments in distribution will reach 63% of worldwide power grid investments.
Looking specifically at Europe, a recent study (January 2021) by Eurelectric/Deloitte on ‘Distribution Grid investment to Power the Energy Transition’, highlighted the scale of effort by DSOs in order to cope with scenario targets on renewable energy and electrification of consumption. European distribution grids will need investments of 375-425 billion euros until 2030 in order to fit for 2030 EU ambitions for a decarbonized, decentralized and digitalized power system. Most of this investment will go into grid modernization, renewable integration and electrification because the infrastructure is quickly aging. Just consider that 50% of the grids are likely to be over 40 years old by the end of the decade.
We believe that the impact on electricity prices and grid tariffs can remain limited to the extent to which policy makers and regulators provide the right framework conditions to support DSOs in effective investment plans and design proper tariffs in order to stimulate efficiency and flexibility.
In particular, there is a need to evolve the regulatory framework to meet the new needs of both the DSOs and their users, boosting technological innovation and efficient investments to test and evaluate the benefits of new technologies, products and services before scaling them up.
The European DSOs, also through the newly formed EU DSO Entity, have the opportunity to play an active role in the implementation of local flexibility markets, taking advantage of the latest evolution in grid codes and European directives.
How is Enel working to engage electricity end customers with the ‘digital revolution’ that is happening within our grids?
Enel has already installed more than 44 million smart meters on its networks globally, in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Peru, Romania and Spain, and we aim to keep on serving more and more grid users and electricity end customers around the world.
This technology is the initial step of the extraordinary grid digitalization process of power grids that will revolutionize the way end customers use electricity and take control over their consumption and production behaviours. A smart grid where bidirectional flow of energy and information between grid users and electricity end customers and distribution grid operators will increase with the energy transition.
But we should consider grid users and electricity end customers not just as smart consumers but as active participants of the energy ecosystem, able to produce and storage their own energy, increasing bidirectional flow of energy. Data will therefore be crucial to empower these prosumers to become key players of the digital grids.
The Energy Transition Summit was part of our Roadmap to COP26 transition summit series. Many people feel our energy grids do not get the attention or investment they need, how can we bring the decarbonisation and electrification of our grids higher up the global agenda?
The progress towards this new energy paradigm has taken place at all Grid Level, the increasing of hosting capacity of removable energy and the availability to active flexible demand depending of the status of the Grid together with digital solutions, make the electricity network more effective in remote control and near real-time exchange of information with connected Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) keeping the same excellent level of quality of services and resilience of the grid.
The existing cooperation between DSO and TSO with the other actors of the value chainshould be even stronger to accelerate the energy transition. On that sense, Enel has launched the initiative Flexibility lab, with the aim to enhance collaboration with all stakeholders involved in this path: providers of flexibility services, manufacturers of related technologies, energy communities, DSOs and TSOs (Transmission System Operators).The interaction among all players must be carried out in an orchestrated way to obtain a reliable and value accretive local electricity system.
The new flexibility solutions require better integration of the distributed resources into the grid providing support to DSO, other than traditional ancillary services, such as frequency response or reserve services for TSO.
The design of new flexibility services for DSOs purpose, based on new market mechanisms to be implemented, should be pursued to cope with the requirements of the actors involved in the active operation of the distribution system.
DSOs (Distribution System Operators) are going to exploit new flexibility solutions aimed at supporting congestion management, outage prevention or voltage control.
In this context, DSOs will be the neutral facilitator of flexibility services to be provided by owners or aggregators of DERs (such as stationary batteries, solar PV, EV charging station operators, etc.), or by demand response mechanisms.
Thus, collaboration amongst DSOs is fundamental to make distributors' needs understood and to catalyze the opportunities of the different markets. Establishing a continuous dialogue with governments and institutions will contribute to designing the appropriate and dynamic regulatory frameworks required for DSOs to enable the shift towards a net-zero future. | https://www.climateaction.org/climate-leader-interviews/dr.-robert-denda-on-how-enel-is-working-to-engage-electricity-ecosystem-sta |
Based on announced policy targets, analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) suggests that the cumulative energy storage requirements for India until FY 2030 would be 850-950 GWh. Approximately 25-30 per cent of the total requirement will be for power grid support and the remaining will be used to run electric vehicles.
Despite this huge potential for grid support, the sector has not seen the progress and growth it warrants. There are two main reasons for this. First, until now, the grid has been able to absorb most of the renewable energy, and second, lack of clarity on the role of energy storage has kept power distribution companies (or discoms) and the industry on the fence on investments. In the forthcoming Budget, a continued thrust is expected on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Here, energy storage will be an important element of India’s decarbonisation strategy and we recommend three key steps to scale up its deployment in the power sector.
First, central and state agencies need to double down on their decarbonisation commitments. Changes in the power tariff design (rationalisation and time of day) and infrastructure planning (smart meters and grid integration of batteries) are required to realise the true potential of energy storage systems. Many state governments allow consumers to use the grid as a large storage system. Through initiatives like net-metering and banking, consumers can feed in excess renewable energy into the grid and withdraw it later. Until recently, India had no long-term plans for grid energy storage deployments. In July 2022, the Ministry of Power released the Energy Storage Obligations (ESO) recommending that discoms increase their share of energy storage to four per cent of yearly consumption by FY 29-30. While this is an important step, the implementation lies with state governments. The ESO can face similar challenges as the Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) on measurement, tracking and compliance. As the share of renewable energy grows, integrating high levels of solar and wind power during their peak production hours may become a challenge. The trajectory shared by the Ministry should be adopted by State Electricity Regulatory Commissions immediately. Policies should not just be directed to generate renewable energy but must also find ways to integrate it and eventually replace thermal power. In the previous Budget, energy storage was added to the 'Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure’ to increase the flow of finance in the sector. This year, the central government must allocate additional financial support (like viability gap funding) to rapidly scale up energy storage for various applications in the power sector.
Second, provide financial support to central agencies for securing critical minerals. Lithium-ion batteries will have the largest share in energy storage installations. Currently, China has an 85-90 per cent share in most parts of the lithium-ion battery manufacturing value chain. Europe and the US are planning to ramp up their manufacturing capabilities significantly. India has also taken initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme to scale up domestic battery storage manufacturing. However, total domestic capacity will be minuscule when compared globally and such facilities will take at least 2-3 years to start production. It is also important to note that India does not have known deposits of minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and vanadium, which are critical for many battery technologies. Long-term reliable access to mines and the development of a battery recycling industry will be crucial. A few years ago India set up Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) to secure critical minerals from overseas. Additional financial support will help KABIL better understand the global critical mineral value chain and hire/train manpower to secure those.
Finally, the central government must increase the budget for technological development of energy storage systems. Deployment of technologies like advanced lead acid, lithium-ion, flow batteries and pumped-hydro will increase in the coming years. But energy storage innovations are currently concentrated in a few countries. Without access to technology or domestic manufacturing, India will increase its dependence on imports. For India to become a technology leader, our academia and renewable energy industry will have to engage proactively with global institutions through bilateral or multilateral innovation platforms. Indian researchers can find a niche by improving on existing batteries or focusing on alternatives like metal-air and sodium-ion batteries. While the government can facilitate global partnerships, private companies need to invest in energy storage R&D. The world is actively looking to diversify their supply chains and it is an opportunity for both the government and private players to exploit, which will help us become aatmanirbhar.
As India takes the leadership of G20, it’s an opportunity to showcase India’s leadership in scaling up energy storage for power grid decarbonisation.
Rishabh Jain is a Senior Programme Lead and Dhruv Warrior is a Research Analyst at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), an independent, not-for-profit research institution.
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- ‘Banks Must Hear Borrower before Tagging as Fraud’- SC
In a setback to lenders, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that banks are bound to give borrowers a personal hearing opportunity before classifying accounts as fraudulent.SC Dismisses DRI Plea Against CESTAT Orders on Adani Cos
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) challenging the orders issued last year by the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) to quash the cases pertaining to over-invoicing allegations levelled by the agency against three Adani Group subsidiaries.AMCs Reopen International Plans to Investors
Domestic mutual fund houses have resumed accepting lump-sum contributions to their international equity plans after the latest Finance Bill removed tax advantages for debt-oriented saving plans from April 1. Onshore plans that invest in overseas markets are treated as debt funds locally for taxation purposes.
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News. | https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/budget-three-steps-india-can-take-to-become-a-leader-in-energy-storage-in-power-sector/articleshow/97422065.cms |
The Honourable Christian Paradis, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Natural Resources
to the
Canada-US Clean Energy Dialogue
Smart Grids in the North American Context:
A Policy Leadership Conference
Waterloo, Ontario
January 25, 2011
Check against delivery
Introduction
Thank you very much. I’m very pleased to be here to welcome everyone – especially those of you visiting Waterloo for the first time.
I want to welcome the delegates from the US who have travelled here to share their experiences and expertise.
This city is the ideal host for your event. The Waterloo region is often called the Silicon Valley of the North. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion and business software development company Open Text Corp. have headquarters here. And Energent Incorporated is a leading provider of Energy Informatics solutions.
It’s also the home of the new world-class Energy Research Centre which the Government of Canada is proud to support. The centre was opened at the University of Waterloo campus last October.
So, in many ways, Waterloo is an ideal location to have a discussion about a smarter electricity grid, a vision of a modernized electricity system that will require continuous innovation for many years to come.
Before I begin, I want also to thank the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Centre for International Governance Innovation for co-hosting this conference with Natural Resources Canada.
This forum is an example of the anticipation and optimism that abounds around the future of a smarter grid.
It’s also an occasion to share notes on the opportunities and challenges for realizing the potential of smart grids as we go forward.
Developing and expanding smart grid technologies will lead to green jobs, put more renewable energy into the system, help consumers reduce their consumption, and also help to address climate change.
I think most in this room would agree the first steps towards the deployment of smart grid technology are already underway in Canada and the U.S.
One of the major factors powering this conversion is a growing recognition by government leaders of the potential of the smart grid to achieve a wide range of energy policy objectives. Certainly this is the case for the Government of Canada, which sees smart grid technologies as key to a brighter, greener economic future.
This is why President Obama and Prime Minister Harper explicitly recognized smart grid technology as a key theme for Canada-US collaboration when they announced the Clean Energy Dialogue in Ottawa two years ago.
As the Prime Minister noted in August of last year, “as generating electricity from fossil fuels becomes more costly, and concerns mount about the environmental impact of doing so, our Government is actively supporting research into vital new technologies.” A smarter grid will be key to achieving this vision.
ECONOMY
I want to turn to the economy for a moment. You all know that the past two years have been challenging. Canada’s Economic Action Plan responded directly to this economic crisis by putting much needed investment to work to stimulate the economy and create jobs across the country.
While the economic picture is now brighter, it’s important to remember that the global economic recovery remains fragile.
That’s why our Government is continuing to focus on the economy and on creating jobs and growth.
Now, that said, Canada has fared better than any other G-7 country.
Over 460,000 more Canadians are working today than in July 2009. Growth has returned to the economy. Our banks are sound and investment is up.
But there’s more to do – that’s why all through January, my fellow Cabinet colleagues and I have been going across the country and meeting with Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs.
We will continue to meet with Canadians this month, after which we will bring forward the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
And I can assure you that we will continue to focus on protecting the financial security of hardworking Canadians and their families. And, we will continue to ensure our economic policies reflect the values and principles we share with the families across the country, including right here in Waterloo.
CLEAN ENERGY DIALOGUE
As we look to the future, it is clear we need to focus on continental cooperation in order to reach our goal of modernizing the North American electrical grid.
As you know, energy is a key part of our trading relationship with the United States. It accounts for one-third of the trading activity between our two nations.
This is largely because of the market orientation that we share and because we basically use interconnected infrastructure – the pipelines and transmission networks – to bring that energy to market.
The North American electricity system is deeply integrated and what we call “the grid” is probably our most important piece of shared infrastructure. There are more than 30 major transmission lines between our two countries.
The fact that we share this important infrastructure means that Canada and the US have a number of mutual interests, including a common interest in establishing conditions that can promote investment in grid modernization.
SMART GRID IN THE CONTEXT OF ENERGY POLICY
But “smart grid” can mean different things, largely because the drivers toward smart grid are diverse. It might mean demand reduction and consumer engagement; climate change and environment; or improving asset utilization.
In general, the concept of a smarter electricity grid tends to be used interchangeably with the technologies that will enable it.
From a technological standpoint, I think what we are really talking about with the smart grid is the application of technologies pioneered in the telecommunications sector across the entire electricity supply chain. This enables better communication in real time – from generation to transmission and distribution.
The Government of Canada’s approach towards the future for smart grid is focused through an energy policy lens. More specifically, in electricity, we talk about smart grid in the context of three core policy objectives: ensuring reliability (which includes security), adequacy and environmental performance.
In simple terms, reliability means keeping on the lights and the power. Even minor power outages can be tremendously costly for many industries. The 2003 Northeast blackout caused estimated economic losses of $10 billion in Canada and the US.
A smart grid would improve real-time knowledge of what’s happening on the system in order to improve response time to outages.
Of course, a reliable system also has to be secure, which requires solid standards and operating protocols.
This is a key objective for governments in Canada and the US, and that is why my Department has put in place a Smart Grids Standards Task Force. This unit will contribute to work being undertaken by the U.S. Smart Grid Interoperability Panel which aims to accelerate standards development for the smart grid.
The second energy policy objective of adequacy means having sufficient infrastructure across all aspects of the electrical system to meet customer loads. Smart grid will enable increased use of renewable energy, allow increased demand management and therefore ensure that assets are used efficiently.
And thirdly, by allowing customers to purchase cleaner, lower-carbon-emitting generation and manage their own energy consumption, and by helping to better integrate renewable energy sources, a smart grid will contribute to our goal of improved environmental performance by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
SUPPORTING SMART GRIDS
In sum, the Government of Canada envisions a smart grid that is more responsive, more dynamic and provides customers with real options to manage their electricity usage and costs – a system that will also enable more renewable energy to be connected to the grid, a more secure energy supply and a reduced environmental footprint.
However, we recognize having a vision is not enough. Work must be undertaken to ensure the ideal becomes reality. I’ve already mentioned how Canada and the United States are working together to help facilitate smart grid development.
The federal government is contributing to this process by leading discussions with stakeholders around the issue of standardization.
And, while much of the innovation to deploy the smart grid will be driven by industry, governments also have a clear role to play in facilitating research and development and in aiding in the commercialization of promising new technologies.
The Government of Canada is taking steps to support promising demonstration projects under the Clean Energy Fund to spur the kind of technological changes that will help deploy the smart grid.
For example, in British Columbia we are supporting Power Measurement Ltd. as they develop and demonstrate smart grid technology.
And we are supporting four Maritime utilities led by New Brunswick Power Corporation as they integrate smart grid technologies, customer loads and intermittent renewables in a region with potentially significant renewable electricity capacity.
These examples are just a small part of the more than $10 billion our Government has invested since 2006 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build a more sustainable environment and support the creation of jobs through investments in green infrastructure, clean energy technologies, the production of cleaner fuels, and energy efficiency.
CONCLUSION
Ladies and gentlemen, you have the knowledge and expertise to help make the most of the unprecedented opportunity to transform the electrical grid.
I look forward to the outcomes of this conference and ideas to accelerate smart grid development.
Again, I’m delighted to join you here today, and to be speaking at another conference as part of the Clean Energy Dialogue.
I wish you very productive discussions. Thank you.
- Date Modified: | https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media-room/speeches/2011/3385 |
India and the United States on Friday announced the launch of a new energy task force to support large-scale integration of renewable energy needed to support the clean energy transition.The announcement of the initiative, which will further strengthen the India-US partnership in the critical energy sector to an altogether new level, came following a bilateral meeting between Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm here.
During the meeting the two leaders underscored the critical importance of bilateral clean energy engagement to strengthen energy security and to accelerate clean, secure, and just energy transition. Meeting amidst volatility in global energy markets, continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasingly frequent climate-related challenges, the two leaders underscored the importance of ensuring reliable energy supplies to ensure balanced energy markets, including India’s support for the US initiative to release crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserves, and the importance of diversifying to clean energy sources.
Puri and Granholm reiterated the importance of private sector engagement to facilitate investment, inform policy, and accelerate technology deployment.“To that end, the United States and India continue to convene public-private task forces on hydrogen and biofuels, and announced the launch of a new Energy Storage Task Force to support large-scale integration of renewable energy needed to support the clean energy transition,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting.
Puri and Granholm welcomed collaboration between Indian and US companies through a Memorandum of Understanding to deploy methane abatement technologies in India’s city gas distribution sector under the Low Emissions Gas Task Force to help reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector.As climate and clean energy leaders, the United States and India share a common vision to deploy clean energy at scale during this critical decade to reduce emissions and achieve climate change mitigation goals, taking into account different national circumstances, it said.
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Through regular consultations on global energy markets, efforts to strengthen collective energy security, and deepening technical engagement to support economy-wide decarbonisation, the two countries are proactively addressing the multiple crises that the world faces through the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership, said the joint statement.
Welcoming the increased clean energy collaboration between stakeholders of both countries which is facilitating expanded clean energy investment, including in emerging technologies, the two leaders recognised that ambitious national climate and clean energy goals require concerted action and implementation at all levels of government to ensure their viability and sustainability.Discussing the progress on continued efforts to advance emerging fuels and technologies and electrification and decarbonisation of end use sectors, they also talked about hard-to-abate sectors.
The Ministers were informed about various initiatives, including joint research and development on smart grids and energy storage and new collaboration on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies, and the potential to explore collaboration on other novel technologies under the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy-Research (PACE-R).Among the enhanced bilateral efforts include strengthening the power grid to ensure reliable, affordable, and resilient clean energy supply including through smart grids and energy storage; assessing grid-integrated buildings, electric vehicles, and other distributed energy resources to support load management.
This includes advancing renewable energy development and deployment, including to support India’s goal of achieving approximately 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.India and the US are also working on advancing energy efficiency and conservation in appliances, buildings and the industrial sector; electrifying and decarbonising the transportation sector, including creating an enabling ecosystem through setting up an Electric Vehicle (EV) financing services facility in India; and reducing emissions across the oil and gas value chain including efforts at deploying methane detection and abatement technologies.
The two countries are working in decarbonising the industrial sector through efforts at electrification, carbon capture and storage, and deployment of other clean emerging energy technologies; and deepening cooperation between Indian and US Department of Energy labs and agencies, like the EIA, and on energy data management, modeling, low carbon technologies. | https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/india-us-announce-launch-of-new-energy-storage-task-force-to-support-clean-energy-transition/2703925/lite/ |
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2011/22 (a)
Backgrounder
The Clean Energy Fund, part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (Budget 2009), will invest $795 million over five years in research, development and demonstration projects to advance Canadian leadership in clean energy technologies.
This includes large-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects as well as these smaller-scale demonstration projects of renewable and alternative energy technologies. Three carbon capture and storage projects have already been announced, totalling $466 million from the fund.
Close to twenty successful projects have been selected in response to a call for proposals under the Renewable and Clean Energy portion of the Clean Energy Fund. Up to $146 million will be invested over five years in these projects to support renewable, clean energy and smart grid demonstrations with evidence of collaboration among partners and the potential to reduce barriers to technology implementation.
The Government of Canada is working with the project proponents to negotiate formal contribution agreements to set the conditions under which funding will be delivered. The funding amounts are expected to range from $2.5 million to $20 million for each project. However, until a written contribution agreement is signed by both parties, no commitment or obligation exists on the part of the Government of Canada to make a financial contribution to these projects.
Successful Project Descriptions
Projects expected to receive $2.5–$5 million:
1. Biomass-based Urban Central Heating Demonstration
Lead proponent: SSQ, Société immobilière Inc.
Strategic Area: Buildings/Community Energy Systems
Location: Québec, Québec
Purpose: La Cité Verte is an innovative real estate project, which combines various initiatives related to sustainable development such as renewable energy utilization, energy efficient design, the management of water consumption, energy and waste management. The funding will support the installation of a biomass and wood-based district heating system. This project combines many technologies and partners.
2. Utility-scale Electricity Storage Demonstration using New and Re-purposed Lithium Ion Automotive Batteries
Lead proponent: CEATI International Inc.
Strategic Area: Electricity Storage
Location: Toronto and Cornwall, Ontario, and Manitoba
Purpose: This project will address electricity storage for renewable and high-density urban applications. The project will demonstrate utility-scale electricity storage systems using new and re-purposed automotive batteries. This concept will reduce cost for electric vehicle batteries providing a future market to meet urban electricity demand using automotive batteries.
3. Energy Management Business Intelligence Platform Development and Demonstration
Lead proponent: Power Measurement Ltd.
Strategic Area: Smart Grid
Location: Commercial buildings in Calgary, Alberta, Ontario and BCIT in Burnaby, British Columbia
Purpose: This project will develop and demonstrate smart grid technology, voluntary load curtailment and peak shaving in a commercial building setting. Most projects of this type to date have focused on residences. This technology will also enable tenants to voluntarily reduce their demand based on real-time price signals.
4. Wind and Storage Demonstration in a First Nations Community
Lead proponent: Cowessess First Nation
Strategic Area: Wind/Storage
Location: Cowessess, Saskatchewan
Purpose: This project aims to demonstrate a combined wind and storage energy system in a First Nation community. The successful demonstration would prove this system as a model for other First Nation’s communities across Canada.
5. Bioenergy Optimization Program Demonstration
Lead proponent: Manitoba Hydro
Strategic Area: Bioenergy
Location: Five locations in Manitoba
Purpose: This project is comprised of five different bioenergy systems at five different project sites. The project demonstrates collaboration between utility companies and customers. It is anticipated that the project will help to remove the perceived barrier of technical and operational risk and will promote the wide-scale adoption of bioenergy systems in Canada.
6. Demonstration of Waste-heat Recovery at Compressor Stations
Lead proponent: Great Northern Power Corp.
Strategic Area: Hybrid Systems/Northern
Location: Compressor Stations in Alberta and British Columbia
Purpose: This project plans to demonstrate waste-heat recovery systems on a variety of stationary, reciprocating engines greater than 1,000 hp. A successful demonstration has the opportunity to lead to commercialization and wide-scale adoption of this technology at compressor stations and other industrial applications across Canada.
7. Food and Yard Waste Anaerobic Digestion to Electricity Demonstration
Lead proponent: Harvest Power Canada Ltd.
Strategic Area: Bioenergy
Location: Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre, British Columbia
Purpose: This project would be Canada’s first high-efficiency system for producing up to 1 MW of renewable energy from food and yard waste. If successful, this technology has the potential to be rapidly deployed across Canada as a mechanism to divert food wastes from landfills and produce renewable energy.
8. Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pump Demonstration
Lead Proponent: Ecologix Heating Technologies Inc.
Strategic Area: Buildings/Solar
Location: Ontario and other regions
Purpose: This project involves the development and demonstration of cold climate air-source heat pumps in a number of Canadian climate regions. It will take technologies developed for commercial applications and apply them at the residential scale. One phase of the project will also test the technology using natural refrigerants and explore the integration of solar energy. Successful demonstration of air-source heat pumps at the residential scale has the potential to show the technology to be transformative in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.
9. Community-level Solar Energy Project
Lead Proponent: City of Colwood
Strategic Area: Buildings/Solar
Location: Colwood, British Columbia
Purpose: The project is a demonstration of a whole community moving toward zero emissions. The use of heat and power will focus mainly on solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, geothermal and emerging Smart Grid technologies. The City of Colwood plans to undertake a number of initiatives related to its commitment to environmental sustainability, including a demonstration net-zero mixed-use development and home and municipal building solar retrofits. This innovative project — undertaken with a broad range of partnerships, including Royal Roads University, the T’Sou-ke First Nation and the private sector — will be a model for other municipalities across the country.
Projects expected to receive $5–$10 million:
10. Demonstration of Heat and Power from Biomass Gasification
Lead proponent: University of British Columbia
Strategic Area: Bioenergy
Location: UBC Point Grey Campus, Vancouver, British Columbia
Purpose: This project will showcase biomass gasification integrated with an internal combustion engine generator in a novel, small-scale combined heat and power demonstration suited for on-site applications at public institutions, industrial facilities, and northern and remote Canadian communities. The project has the potential to overcome the difficulty of gas clean up and opens up the possibility of significant replication in Canada and overseas.
11. Energy Storage and Demand Response for Near-capacity Substation
Lead proponent: BC Hydro
Strategic Area: Smart Grid/Electricity Storage
Location: Golden and Field, British Columbia
Purpose: This project demonstrates the integration of energy storage as a mechanism for reducing electricity demand at near-peak capacity substations. This type of solution has the ability to be used in other remote communities where the grid reliability is low and the cost of the transmission line upgrade is uneconomical.
12. Interactive Smart Zone Demonstration in Québec
Lead proponent: Hydro-Québec – Institut de recherche
Strategic Area: Smart Grid
Location: Boucherville, Québec
Purpose: This project will ensure the installation of an interactive network area in a neighbourhood of Boucherville. This will demonstrate different technologies and concepts related to modernization of electrical networks, in particular the deployment of infrastructure for charging electric and hybrid rechargeable vehicles.
13. Biomass and Coal Co-firing Demonstration in Coal Plants
Lead proponent: Nova Scotia Power
Strategic Area: Bioenergy
Location: Coal Plants in Nova Scotia
Purpose: This demonstration project aims to determine optimum fuel blends for the potential co-firing of wood-based biomass with coal as a mechanism to partially replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources in coal plants. If successful, there is potential for wide-scale implementation across Canada and the United States.
Projects expected to receive $10–$20 million:
14. Tidal Energy Project in the Bay of Fundy
Lead proponent: Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE)
Strategic Area: Marine/Hydro
Location: Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia
Purpose: The project plans to validate the performance and resilience of tidal current turbines in the Minas Passage of the Bay of Fundy. This will be the first Canadian deployment of commercial-scale tidal turbines. The project has the potential to advance tidal energy in Canada, provide economic impacts in the Atlantic region and place Canada as a world leader in marine renewable energy.
15. Northern Application of a Geothermal District Heating System
Lead proponent: City of Yellowknife
Strategic Area: Northern/Community Energy System
Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Purpose: The City of Yellowknife is in advanced stages of project engineering and plans to install a district heating system by extracting heat from the abandoned Con Mine. This project has the potential to provide a cost effective and a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel based heat. The information that will come out of this project on the effect of extracting ground-source heat from an existing aquifer and its associated long-term heat capacity will help determine if this technology could be replicated in other northern communities.
16. Electricity Load Control Demonstration
Lead proponent: New Brunswick Power Corporation
Strategic Area: Smart Grid
Location: Four maritime communities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Purpose: Traditionally, to accommodate the intermittent nature of wind power, other generation sources are required to follow the net effect of variation in load and wind power production. This project focuses on the integration between smart grid technologies, customer loads and intermittent renewables in a region with potentially significant renewable electricity capacity. It will allow utilities to better understand how customers will react to smart grid and which loads can be controlled by real-time demand balancing in up to 750 buildings, thereby assisting these utilities to capitalize on renewable resources in the region.
17. A 9-MW Wind Technology Research and Development Park
Lead proponent: Wind Energy Institute of Canada
Strategic Area: Wind/Storage
Location: Prince Edward Island
Purpose: The 9-MW wind park proposed will be the first wind/storage combination in Prince Edward Island. The project’s research base has a strong focus on information dissemination and would be a good base for supporting additional wind research.
18. Demonstration of Fish-friendly and VLH Turbines in Existing Low-head Water-control Dams
Lead proponent: Eco Joule Inc.
Strategic Area: Marine/Hydro
Location: Mississippi River System, Ontario
Purpose: This project will demonstrate three in-stream hydro technologies including fish-friendly, low-head hydro turbines along an existing water-controlled river system in Ontario. It has the opportunity to prove the technology concept, demonstrate cooperation with a conservation organization, and reduce the barriers to commercialization.
19. Community-based Geothermal Demonstration in a Remote First Nations Community
Lead proponent: Borealis GeoPower Inc./Aco Dene Koe First Nation
Strategic Area: Hybrid Systems/Northern
Location: Fort Liard, Northwest Territories
Purpose: This project will demonstrate how a northern community can use a geothermal resource to generate electricity and heat, thereby reducing the entire community’s fossil fuel demand and energy costs. A successful demonstration will provide a model for other northern and First Nations communities with available geothermal resources.
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-996-2007
or
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
613-992-4447
NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php. | https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media-room/news-release/22a/2011-02/clean-energy/2481 |
International research has shown that successful development of renewable energy sources anywhere in the world is dependent on sound policies enhanced by appropriate regulatory and other supporting market mechanisms. Policy drives innovation. The Yukon government’s policy development supporting intermittent and renewable energy deployment and integration is underway but still in its infancy. A micro-generation program is in effect and an Independent Power Producer Policy is expected to be completed in late 2018.
Background
Yukon’s electrical supply network is made up of one main islanded grid (not connected to any other North American power grids) and five smaller community grids not connected to the main Yukon grid. The main grid, although mainly served by legacy hydro plants, now requires increasing amounts of fossil fuel (LNG and diesel) generation to meet winter peak loads. The Yukon Bureau of Statistics is forecasting a rate of population growth of about 1.4% per year from 2016 to 2030 (Information sheet No. 66 issued February 2017). With a new mining load planned to commence in 2019 (plus other advancing mining projects) and the spin-off economic development that will result there will be further increases in LNG and diesel electricity generation on the main grid absent new renewable energy supplies. The five small community grids presently rely almost entirely of diesel generators.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce and its Energy Committee has studied the Yukon’s energy situation and analyzed the requirement for fossil fuels. This extensive work has led to the development and adoption by the Yukon Chamber of Commerce of two policies: Yukon Domestic (in Territory) Energy Production Policy and Carbon Pricing Policy. Both resolutions address, among other things, the use of renewable energy to displace fossil fuels and identify various potential energy sources, including intermittent sources such as wind, which provides most of its energy in winter, and solar. The reduction of fossil fuel use for space heating and transportation will trend to increase the use pattern of electricity, particularly in winter, leading to the need for additional electrical generation over time.
Furthermore, the use of intermittent or seasonal energy sources, including run-of-river hydro, wind and solar, for a significant portion of our electrical energy supply will require both short-term and longer-term energy storage and possibly other innovative solutions. We therefore believe that it is important to support development and innovation in energy storage technologies.
The private sector and the Yukon business community can help provide required innovative but practical and cost-effective solutions but will require an encouraging policy environment. Government regulations, often outdated, must align with such policies. The private sector will also benefit from clear incentives in order to invest with confidence, i.e. that rates of return correspond to the benefits of delivering practical renewable energy solutions. The private sector should not bear an inordinate amount of risk. The creation and implementation of a renewable energy policy is the first step; a regulatory framework, combined with financing models, must be established to achieve the long-term public benefits expected by the implementation of renewable energy policies.
Conclusion
Yukon has renewable resources that can be developed as complementary sources of electrical energy supply to Yukon’s existing main and community electrical grids. The private sector and the business community can be significant contributors to the development of the innovations required to utilize these sources cost effectively.
This proposed policy will complement and support Yukon Chamber of Commerce’s existing Yukon Domestic (in Territory) energy Production Policy and Carbon Pricing Policy.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS that the Yukon Government:
Develops policies that support the involvement of the business community in the development of innovative technologies, approaches and projects using renewable energy. Projects could include the deployment, integration and storage of intermittent and seasonal energy supplies into the existing main power grid and the community power grids;
Updates the regulatory framework(s) to align with the proposed renewable energy policies; and
Supports these policies with financing models that reduce the risk to the business community to a level that enables their participation in these efforts. | https://www.yukonchamber.com/post/2018/06/09/renewable-energy-innovation-policy |
A congressional subcommittee has advanced three energy-related bills that push for technological innovation in geothermal energy development, battery storage, and power grid modernization—innovations that could help to slow greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the bills, the Advanced Geothermal Research and Development Act of 2019 (H.R. 5374), “takes important steps toward advancing a woefully underutilized source of energy,” said Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) at the 19 December markup of the legislation by the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
The legislation, which was introduced by the full committee’s ranking member Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), was approved with bipartisan and unanimous support, as were the other two bills. The bills now go to the full committee for consideration.
Geothermal energy, which is literally heat derived from Earth, contributes to just 0.4% of electric power generation in the United States, according to the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Although the United States already generates more total power from geothermal sources than any other country, proportionately, it pales in comparison with geothermal leaders like Iceland, which gets 26% of its total electric power generation from geothermal, according to a report by the Atlantic Council, a Washington, D.C.–based think tank.
A 30 May DOE report, GeoVision: Harnessing the Heat Beneath Our Feet, noted that there is enormous untapped potential for geothermal electricity generation in the United States from “vast and geographically dispersed” resources. These resources aren’t just located near volcanically and hydrothermally active areas like Yellowstone National Park; rather, the report stated, “Shallow-earth resources exist across all 50 states and can be used for [geothermal heat pumps] wherever the ground can be cost-effectively accessed to depths below seasonal temperature variations.”
The report found that by 2050, geothermal power generation could increase more than 26-fold from today and reach 60 gigawatts of installed capacity, providing 8.5% of all U.S. electricity generation. However, “challenges in resource exploration, drilling, and development present fundamental barriers to improved economic capture of geothermal resource potential.”
The new legislation aims to overcome barriers to realizing geothermal resource potential, according to Lucas, providing DOE with funding for innovative research in advanced geothermal technologies. The legislation specifically calls for DOE to support the establishment of up to three field research sites called Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy sites “to develop, test, and enhance techniques and tools for enhanced geothermal energy.” The bill also would authorize a new program in advanced geothermal computing and data science research and development, among other measures.
Geothermal heat “is a source of clean and renewable energy that is always on,” Lucas said at the markup. “If harnessed correctly, [geothermal] resources can provide secure baseload power and energy storage for Americans across the country,” he said.
Committee member Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) said the legislation would also bring environmental benefits. “Efforts like this to promote alternative energy sources will contribute to a cleaner future with lower greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.
Advancing Energy Storage Technologies
Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), another member of the committee, said that legislation he introduced, the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act (H.R. 2986), also would provide climate benefits.
“Energy storage is essential for making progress toward a clean energy economy,” Foster said at the markup.
The bill would establish a research and development program for energy storage systems, components, and materials across multiple DOE program offices, and it requires that DOE “analyze the need for various types of energy storage to improve electric grid resilience and reliability.” A third bill approved by the committee in its markup, the Grid Modernization Research and Development Act of 2019, also focuses on improving the grid.
Energy storage is vital for the advancement of renewable energy and the security of the electrical grid, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Energy storage “can help address the intermittency of solar and wind power; it can also, in many cases, respond rapidly to large fluctuations in demand, making the grid more responsive and reducing the need to build backup power plants,” a February 2019 EESI fact sheet noted.
The legislation calls for focusing research and development to produce cost-effective energy storage systems that meet benchmarks including producing highly flexible power output for at least 6 hours, having a 20-year operational lifetime, storing energy for several months, and addressing seasonal-scale variations in supply and demand.
“There is a growing recognition that grid-scale energy storage technologies will be an essential part of tomorrow’s grid,” said Rep. Casten. The BEST bill also calls for developing a 5-year strategic plan to identify research, development, demonstration, and commercial application goals for the program.
Kelly Speakes-Backman, CEO of the Energy Storage Association, an industry group whose members include leading energy storage development companies, said in a statement that the BEST bill “would accelerate innovation and ensure that grid planning and operations fully utilize the flexibility of energy storage.”
Rep. Casten said, “One of the largest barriers we have to the deployment of clean energy resources is whether we have a grid that has the requisite transmission reliability and flexibility to handle the increases in intermittent and non-traditional sources” such as wind and solar energy.
He added that energy storage can help to increase the reliability and resilience of the electric system during and after extreme events. “If we want to both lower greenhouse gas emissions and maintain a stable grid, or in fact if we only want one of those things,” Casten said, “we must invest in greater energy storage capacity.”
—Randy Showstack (@RandyShowstack), Staff Writer
Citation:
Showstack, R. (2019), Bipartisan focus on energy innovation emerges, Eos, 100, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO138088. Published on 23 December 2019.
Text © 2019. AGU. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited. | https://eos.org/articles/bipartisan-focus-on-energy-innovation-emerges |
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