/ After years of delays and passionate protest across the country, fracking has finally begun in the UK. Critics are furious that the government has decided to throw its weight behind yet another fossil fuel industry at a time when renewables are taking off. Proponents argue that cheap gas is still needed and point to US shale as a model to follow. But does the UK really need fracked gas?

Also in the UK, we consider ScottishPower’s announcement that it will move to 100% renewable energy, and talk to UK Power Networks about its world-first grid-scale smart network that will help energy consumers save over £400m by 2050.

Plus, we profile Poland’s energy mix and prospects, learn more about the neutrino power cubes able to supply energy by harnessing the kinetic energy created by waves of cosmic radiation, and speak to DNV GL about the importance of testing power systems.  /

Read on for all this and more, and join the conversation on Twitter. 

Katie Woodward, editor