/ The Taiwanese Government has been quick to roll out several very attractive renewable energy policies, including a feed in tariff for offshore wind comparable to zero subsidy plans in Europe. While offshore wind is by far the major driver, the government has also invested significantly in solar while decreasing reliance on nuclear. We take a look at Taiwan’s renewable energy ambitions.

We also consider the impact of China’s move to slash subsidies on solar development in the country, take a closer look at the development of a new generation of organic solar cells, which replace traditional silicon with organic photovoltaics made from carbon and plastic, and speak to MIT energy professor Jessika Trancik to find out how data can be used to judge the strengths and weaknesses of competing energy technologies.

Plus, we investigate a breakthrough from the University of Glasgow, where a team has developed a prototype system that uses a metal oxide ‘exotic rust’ that can be charged when added to water or hydrogen, creating a liquid battery that can charge as quickly as a petrol tank can be filled, and ask whether the UK Government should subsidise small nuclear reactors to reshape the economics of the industry. /

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

Katie Woodward, editor