Find out the latest news on the energy market from Ben Spry, npower’s Client Portfolio Manager, in this weekly update.

If you are blocked from seeing this video and would like your own download, please email geoff.curran@energylivenews.com.

Find out the latest news on the energy market from Magali Hodgson, npower’s Product and Services Optimisation Manager, in this weekly update.

If you are blocked from seeing this video and would like your own download, please email geoff.curran@energylivenews.com.

A new public-private partnership to support more cost-effective transportation energy options for US consumers – including fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) – has been launched.

The H2USA initiative will focus on advancing hydrogen infrastructure and brings together automakers, Government agencies, gas suppliers and fuel cell industries to research and identify cost-effective solutions for clean hydrogen fuel in the country. It will also bring experts together to tackle key infrastructure challenges, including leveraging low cost natural gas resources.

FCEVs are seen as a way to cut emissions from cars and reduce the world’s reliance on oil.

David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the US Department of Energy said: “Fuel cell technologies are an important part of an all-of-the-above approach to diversify America’s transportation sector, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our competitiveness in the global market.

“By bringing together key stakeholders from across the US fuel cell and hydrogen industry, the H2USA partnership will help advance affordable fuel cell electric vehicles that save consumers money and give drivers more options.”

The partnership also aims to encourage early adopters of FCEVs, conduct technical and market analysis and find alternative fuelling infrastructure that can help cut costs. The scheme was launched by the US Energy Department, whose research and development efforts have helped cut automotive fuel cell costs by more than 35% since 2008 and more than 80% since 2002.

Last month, ELN reported 1.6 million hydrogen-powered electric cars could hit UK roads by 2030.

Find out the latest news on the energy market from Magali Hodgson, npower’s Product and Services Optimisation Manager, in this weekly update.

If you are blocked from seeing this video and would like your own download, please email geoff.curran@energylivenews.com.

An ex-army officer is looking for recruits – to get involved in a project which helps hook up ex-Army staff with the energy sector.

Magnus Jeffrey (pictured), who works as an engineer for Senergy Development Solutions (SDS), set up The Network Aberdeen two years ago to help other former service workers interested in a similar career move.

Regular meetings every six to eight weeks help servicemen meet and hear from industry experts. The ex-serviceman believes people from the Forces could solve a gaping energy skills gap. Industry body Subsea UK estimates 10,000 people will be needed in its sector alone over the next 12 months.

He said: “With thousands of British military personnel facing redundancy and the UK oil & gas sector attempting to address a potentially crippling shortage of workers, there are opportunities for those leaving the armed forces to transfer skills and build a new career in a rewarding industry.”

Explaining relevant job skills can be difficult and some ex-military fall at the first hurdle, he added: “Their applications often fall foul of the automated systems as it is difficult to relay their appropriate skills and expertise on paper. If the same individual is able to meet with someone and given the opportunity to explain what they can offer, the outcome can be very positive for both parties.”

Find out the latest news on the energy market from Ben Spry, npower’s Client Portfolio Manager, in this weekly update.

Russian energy giant Gazprom’s net profit fell 10% in 2012 compared to the previous year due to rising costs and lower sales whilst its rival BP saw underlying profits of $4.2 billion (£2.7bn) in the first quarter of 2013.

Gazprom’s profits last year totalled RUB1.183 trillion (£24.6bn) compared to RUB1.30 trillion (£27bn) in 2011. The company said net sales of gas also decreased by 6% to RUB2.7 million (£56,170) as sales to Europe and other foreign countries rose just 2%.

“This change was primarily due to increase in average realized prices in RUB terms (including customs duties) by 6%, which was partially compensated by decrease in volumes of gas sold by 4%, or 5.6 bcm (billion cubic metres)”, Gazprom said in a statement.

The energy firm’s net sales of electric and heat energy also fell by 0.3%, which it said was related to “decrease in sales volumes of electric and heat energy”. Gazprom’s operating expenses rose by 18% to RUB3.481 trillion (£7.2bn) while its net debt grew by 5% to RUB1.081 trillion (£22.4bn) due to the “decrease in cash and cash equivalents”.

BP, however, saw strong results in profits in the first four months of 2013 compared to $3.9 billion (£2.5bn) in the previous quarter.

The firm completed the sale of its interest in TNK-BP to Rosneft last month, for a total of $27.5 billion (£17.7bn) in cash and Rosneft shares and due to the Russia transaction, net debt at the end of the first quarter fell to $17.7 billion (£11.4bn).

Production of oil and gas excluding TNK-BP and Rosneft was 2.33 million barrels of oil equivalent a day – around 2% higher than the fourth quarter – but 5% lower than the same period in 2012. Following the Rosneft transaction, total oil and gas production for the Group is more than three million barrels of oil equivalent a day.

Bob Dudley, BP Group Chief Executive said: “These strong first quarter results demonstrate the progress BP is making in delivering the performance milestones that support our 10-point plan and underpin our commitment to material operating cash flow growth by 2014… These results represent a strong start to 2013 across all of our businesses.”

A London-based bank has launched a nationwide lending programme for householders in Russia (pictured) which it claims is the first of its kind to make the nation’s homes more energy efficient.

The $100 million (£64.5m) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be lent through local private banks and aims to help modernise Russia’s ageing housing stock.

Russia needs to spend between 220 billion roubles (£4.6bn) to one trillion roubles (£20.7bn) a year between now and 2035 in order to make its housing energy efficient, the EBRD suggests.

Russia is believed to be one of the world’s most intensive energy users and its residential sector is the second largest energy consumer after industry, accounting for 26% of total energy usage. It uses three times more energy per square metre than housing in EU countries with similar weather conditions, according to the EBRD.

The energy efficiency projects funded by the EBRD in Russia so far – more than €2.2 billion (£1.9bn) since 2006 – is said to have saved nearly nine million tonnes of oil equivalent and cut 17.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

A website for employees of oil firms working in Arctic drilling who fancy whistle-blowing was unveiled today.

The environmentalists have a history of taking dramatic action against firms operating in the region, with one stunt last year saw several members hang a survival pod off the side of an oil rig in the Arctic, halting drilling for several days.

Now campaign group Greenpeace is encouraging employees and subcontractors of oil companies to put forward “inside information” about operational safety, poor practices and potential breaches of environmental regulations on a new site called ‘Arctic Truth’.

Ben Ayliffe, head of Arctic oil at Greenpeace International said: “We are looking for information relating to oil drilling in the far north, which would usually be kept under wraps. The public needs to know about the incredible risks these companies are taking each and every day they drill in the fragile Arctic.”

Exploration firms have consistently defended their activities and safety record in the icy region. Oil firm Shell would not comment directly on the new site but a spokesperson said: “Shell fully acknowledges the right of Greenpeace to disagree with Shell about drilling in the Arctic. We remain willing to speak with Greenpeace.”

The Egyptian Government wants to take a bigger share of any profits from oil and gas wells in its borders, according to reports.

Egypt’s oil minister Osama Kamal said the country wants a bigger share of projects in all future contracts with foreign firms. The minister said his ministry has finished preparing new wording for any future contracts. This would not affect existing contracts, he told Egyptian newspaper Al Borsa in an article published today.

The country is the second largest natural gas producer on the African continent, according to the US Energy Information Administration, which states that growing national demand boosted by subsidies has led the government to regulate the amount of gas exports.

Last week Egypt handed out contract for a minimum investment of $1.2 billion (£0.8bn) in eight oil and gas projects in the Mediterranean Sea, reported Reuters.