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In the early 2000s, Germany encouraged people to install solar panels on the roofs of their homes by rewarding them with payments, known as feed-in tariffs, for sending energy to the grid. But those have become less lucrative in recent years, making such large-scale investments less attractive.
But in homes across Germany, they are powering a quiet transformation, bringing the green revolution into the hands of people without requiring them to make a large investment, find an electrician or use heavy tools. “You don’t need to drill or hammer anything,” Ms. Berg said.
History of German feed-in tariffs in ¢/kWh for rooftop solar of less than 10 kW p since 2001. For 2016, it amounted to 12.31 ¢/kWh. Germany introduced its feed-in tariff in 2000 and it later became a model for solar industry policy support in other countries. : 145
Faced with energy transition objectives, the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have technology options to decarbonize power sector. This study investigates the hypothetical decarbonization pathways for ASEAN’s power sector.
To facilitate investments in renewables in ASEAN, it is critical to overcoming the barriers in renewable energy legislation, energy governance, and business environment. 28 Cooperation through the ASEAN Power Grid brings economic benefits to the region as a whole, and thus improves the affordability for energy transition.
Here, we present an integrated power system capacity expansion model for ASEAN over 2018 – 2050. The results provide hypothetical pathways to decarbonize the ASEAN power sector while meeting the projected electricity demand by strategically pursuing renewable energy, carbon capture and sequestration, and cross-border transmission grids.
While fossil fuels dominate ASEAN power mix (accounting for 76%), hydroelectricity infrastructures are well developed in the region, providing 17% of the electricity. Other renewables account for the remaining 7% of the electricity production.
In 2011, KEPCO had earmarked investment of US$7.18 billion in its smart grid business to meet this 2030 goal. Most of the investment would be completed before 2020, to upgrade power transmission and distribution systems and switch meters, the company said in a statement.
The Smart Grid Initiative mainly targets the modernization of electric power systems. Today, many countries around the world recognize the necessity of enhancing energy efficiency, tackling climate change, and promoting green energy.
The Gapa Microgrid model was launched in 2011 and put into operation in the summer of 2012. As of 2018, the Gapa Microgrid had a record of operating for up to 7 days using only wind, solar, and batteries.
Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.
Lithium-ion batteries, such as power banks, should only be packed in carry-on baggage, according to US FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules. In general, most airlines allow each passenger to carry a maximum of two lithium-ion power banks of 100-160 Watt-hour (Wh) into the cabin.
Power banks and batteries are now only allowed in hand luggage, not overhead bins. Passengers are also prohibited to charge their power banks by plugging them to in-seat power supply systems that airlines provide, the report says.
Similarly, passengers are not allowed to recharge the power bank from an aircraft’s USB outlet. Some airlines are requiring passengers to remove their power banks from bags and keep them in a seat pocket. They also advise insulating the terminals to avoid a short circuit. Why are airlines banning power banks now?
On June 10, 2021, the 29th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress passed the Hainan Free Trade Port Law of the People's Republic of China, which determined to establish and improve the Hainan Free Trade Port customs supervision special zone system with closed-off customs operations on the entire island.
An aerial drone photo shows a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, South China's Hainan province, May 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] The Hainan Free Trade Port will launch island-wide independent customs operations on Dec 18, a key step in transforming the tropical island into a globally significant free trade hub, a senior official announced Wednesday.
In April 2018, China announced plans to transform the island into a pilot free trade zone, with a long-term vision of developing a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. A master plan released in 2020 aimed to make Hainan a globally influential hub for high-level openness by mid-century.
BEIJING, Aug. 8 -- China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is set to launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, underscoring the country's wider push for high-standard opening up.
