When Inflation Gets a Sustainable Twist Over the last few decades, accelerating technological growth and the widespread increase in living standards have caused a rapidly growing demand for energy resources. The potential threat of climate change is not new, although societal consciousness regarding the changing climate is. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, has united countr ...
The Breton Pulley: Buyer Beware
A "Breton Pulley" may sound like an instrument of torture used during the French Revolution. However, Breton pulley systems were used in the past to effortlessly lift heavy loads. These systems relied on a complex network of ropes and pulleys to achieve their purpose. The system was designed by the Breton people, who were known for their ingenuity and resourcefulness. The rope ...
Four Figures to Summarize the 2022 Renewable Year
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have been busy collecting data on the installment of power capacity in 2022. With most of the results out now, we give four figures based on their data that wrap up the busy year of renewable energy in 2022. Most of the graphs work with Gigawatts (GW) as a reference 1. Renewable Share in Capacity Expa ...
SAFE AS HOUSES?
From the ancient Hebrew proverb that posits, “He is not a complete man who does not own a piece of land”, to today’s Tiktok videos of “finfluencers”, property ownership has been portrayed as an indispensable long-term investment. Real estate, so the conventional wisdom goes, is a foolproof method for generating income, outpacing inflation, and even becoming wealthy. In this ana ...
Attention, CFOs: Your Capital Structure Is Just as Important as Your EBITDA!
How rock-solid balance sheets can guide you in your investments Drawing from my previous experience as the Treasury and Corporate Finance Director of a Telecom firm, I have cultivated a natural inclination to not only analyze a company's profitability but also to delve deeper into its capital structure. Now, as a fund manager, I still prioritize certain of these key criteria wh ...
How exporting solar power can become a game changer for Africa
As we address the pressing challenge of climate change, the transition to clean energy has become a global priority. Renewable energy sources hold one of the key solutions to achieving a sustainable future, providing a vital solution. Currently, renewables account for only 5.2% of the world's energy supply. However, to avoid the harmful effects of rising temperatures, the Inter ...
Nike versus Adidas: The Importance of Making the Right Choices
In the current landscape of movie theaters, the selection of films leaves much to be desired. While personal tastes may vary, for those seeking a break from the influx of superhero movies, "Air" presents itself as an intriguing option for a night out. Despite its underwhelming box office performance, "Air" possesses all the essential elements for a successful film: a substantia ...
Shaping the Blue Horizon: Econopolis joins forces on the Creation of a Large-Scale North Sea Model
Undoubtedly, you may have already observed their presence on the horizon - the sturdy steel turbines situated a few dozen kilometers from our shoreline. These turbines have made a remarkable contribution of 7.5 percent to Belgium's total electricity output in the year 2022. Currently, their capacity stands at 2.3 gigawatts, and there is potential for future expansion to reach a ...
Too Big to Fail Comes to the Rescue
The First Banking Crisis Induced by the US Central Bank The echoes of the 2008 financial crisis reverberate loudly these days. Some of the biggest bank bailouts are taking place right now: following Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank, it was now First Republic Bank (FRB) that had to be saved. SVB and FRB were among the top 20 banks in the United States according to th ...
One Year of Hiking: Impact on Interest Rates and the Economy
It was only at the end of November 2021 that Federal Reserve President Jerome Powell abandoned the ‘inflation is transitory’ statement. Governments attempted to revive the economy after the COVID-19 shock with massive fiscal policy impulses. Enormous government interventions provided the necessary oxygen to companies and consumers, who spent their lockdown savings following the ...