Looking back on the energy year 2006

The year 2006 has been a spectacular year for energy. Hereby Leonardo ENERGY's list of 10 highlights.

• Energy Efficiency becomes top priority in Europe (and beyond). See Hans Nilsson's analysis on the energy efficiency action plan.
• Many world records broken on renewable energy technologies, among others:
  • the largest wind farm
  • the largest wind turbine
  • the largest solar power station
  • the most efficient solar cell
  • the largest wave power station
• The emergence of the smart grid concept with smart metering
• The turnaround of US on energy & climate policy, through the 25 x 25 vision (Renewable Energy World, Dec issue, p 113), 8 states introducing CO2 restrictions, ...
• Among others, Al Gore's movie has made climate change a public issue, addressed daily in mass media
• A comeback for nuclear appears imminent
• A blackout leaves 10 million Europeans in the dark.Regulators need to start regulating beyond price.
• The first year of full operation of the European Emission Trading Scheme
• Passive Houses emerge as a mainstream technology, offering the potential to almost eliminate low temperature heat demand in buildings.
• Reality dawns on the illusion of the hydrogen economy

Comments, suggestions and additions welcome.