Why we need the European wind industry and how to safeguard it

whitePaper | October 6, 2022

The findings and insights of this white paper have been developed through a collaborative effort among multiple stakeholders from across the Houston region. The Greater Houston Partnership (the Partnership) would like to thank its member companies, community partners, and academic collaborators for providing invaluable insight throughout the development of this report. We would also like to express our appreciation to McKinsey & Company for providing research and analysis, including Kassia Yanosek, Dan Stephens, Hyder Kazimi, Ravi Mukkamala, Chris Giuffreda, Ginna Arora, Dorianne Erazo, and David Catalano. We would also like to thank Eric Mullins, Bobby Tudor, Bob Harvey, Scott Nyquist, and Jane Stricker from the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) for their central roles in crafting this document.

whitePaper | January 27, 2020

Although the European Union (EU) seems to be on track to meet this year’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of 20% compared to 1990 levels, it is currently not projected to achieve the 2030 targets. In line with the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, these targets relate to domestic GHG emissions, the share of renewable energy sources and energy efficiencyi . Hence, radical change is required and we all need to do our bit. With road transport accounting for approximately 20% of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions in the EU alone, the mobility sector can play an important role in helping to accomplish the environmental targets.

whitePaper | December 17, 2021

A critical question facing facility and plant operators of large energy usage manufacturers is whether the same level of local community resilience provided by diesel backup generators can be achieved through economical microgrid alternatives that are more consistent with clean energy goals. In this report from Enchanted Rock, The Brattle Group examines detailed data comparing the feasibility, economics, and GHG emissions of several alternative microgrid systems commonly considered for resilience purposes.

whitePaper | January 21, 2020

As the third decade of 21st century begins, the oil and gas industry faces opposition from a public greatly concerned with the environmental impact of fossil fuels, ever-more skeptical shareholders, and challenges from policy makers seeking to simultaneously meet decarbonization goals and expected oil and gas demand. Amidst a global energy transition, the demand, financial, and social future of oil and gas companies is increasingly in question.

whitePaper | August 30, 2022

New renewable generation capacity is important as utilities retire existing coal plants. But often these new solar and wind resources are far from urban or industrial centers where the energy is needed, presenting transmission and distribution challenges. Utilities must find reliable methods to incorporate the energy mix from these green energy sources and maintain grid flexibility, while balancing supply and demand.

whitePaper | February 12, 2023

Amidst the rapid developments the floating offshore wind industry is experiencing, this white paper intends to build a preliminary classification of floating wind heavy maintenance concept types under development. Through a high-level comparative assessment of assigned crane families and an overarching discussion on strategy considerations, this white paper hopes to inform the decision processes of key stakeholders in the field. The findings from this work feed into the wider discussions of WFO’s Floating Offshore Wind Committee (FOWC), where the insurability and bankability perspective reflects on the challenges of floating wind and the new technologies that aim to solve them. These cross-discipline conversations remind us of the need to balance cost reductions and safety measures to preserve the risk perception of floating wind technologies, especially for the first commercial-scale projects.