News Roundup: Energy Prices Spike as Winter Approaches

News reports across the energy sector in recent days tells a story of a set of circumstances that is increasing the price of energy in many parts of the world, especially in Europe, as winter is approaching in the northern hemisphere.

Here are a few of stories that are making headlines along with links to articles.

There has been a slowdown in wind speeds in northern Europe that has affected the energy markets:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/energy-prices-in-europe-hit-records-after-wind-stops-blowing-11631528258

Shortages of natural gas have caused price rises, which is affecting heating and electricity costs:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2021/sep/13/uk-government-should-take-note-an-energy-crisis-is-quietly-building

Energy bills in Europe are expected to rise by 20 per cent this winter:
https://www.afr.com/world/europe/europe-faces-energy-price-shock-with-gas-and-power-at-records-20210907-p58pnb

EU climate chief Timmermans urges Europeans to accelerate move to renewables to avoid reliance on conventional fuel price fluctuations
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-news/2021/09/eu-climate-chief-energy-prices-hike-should-boost-transition/

Drought in northern Europe has reduced the amount of hydropower generated and exported throughout Europe:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/record-breaking-energy-prices-could-170000852.html

One might hope that these circumstances would lead to an increased amount of interest in the December presentation of Andrea Rossi’s E-Cat, a technology which, if it operates as Rossi claims, could potentially add a less expensive alternative to the energy mix without contributing emissions.