Business
Energy bills in Canada not expected to fall much in 2023 Maybe
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In Europe, global warming has been a mixed blessing this winter.
Fears of a massive energy crunch leaving millions of homes in the dark have largely dissipated, at least for now. The European Union’s reserves of natural gas are at least 83 per cent full, and gas prices are a fifth of what they were in August, as supply outstrips demand.
Don’t get your hopes up about Europe’s lower energy prices coming to Canada, though. Experts forecast volatility – energy price swings up and down – to continue for several years, and that’s not great news for consumers.
Energy volatility, says Andreas Goldthau, a public policy professor at the University of Erfurt in Germany, is not good for anyone, from businesses to individual consumers. He says that energy prices that are stable and affordable, is “what, in the end, benefits consumers, because industry can plan, businesses can plan.”
Unreliable or unstable energy supply, in other words, costs businesses money – which gets passed down to the average person, Goldthau explains.
Supply and demand for energy are affected by a range of factors that cause constant ups and downs in prices. Those factors include everything from weather to refinery shutdowns, to the political whims of dictators.
While energy might be cheaper in Europe right now, that doesn’t mean it will last.
“Anything can happen,” says Philip Andrews-Speed, a U.K.-based energy policy specialist at the National University of Singapore. “You just need one thing to change again, and (prices) can go up again.”
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The upshot?`.
Energy volatility may be bad for consumers in the short term, but experts say it’s evidence of a global energy landscape that’s changing – toward more diverse sources of energy and, importantly, a more reliable domestic energy supply.
Vladimir Putin’s fortunes have long been made by relying on fuel exports, including to nearby Germany. But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has had one unintended consequence: the shift toward clean energy.
“There’s no looking back for Russian gas,” Goldthau says.
That doesn’t mean that Germany’s dependence on natural gas will disappear overnight. But the war has been a wake-up call that countries can get into trouble very quickly if their energy security depends on another country, especially a hostile one like Russia.
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Goldthau says that energy – electricity, as well as the hydrocarbon molecules contained in fossil fuels like oil and gas – isn’t simply a commodity traded on the market. Energy, he says, gives countries a distinct geopolitical advantage.
“It has become absolutely crystal clear that electrons and molecules are not only a commodity, they’re a strategic good.”
If Germany avoids the worst this winter, that’ll be in part thanks to Mother Nature, but also to energy conservation measures. The German government is also practicing a modern form of realpolitik: almost more than any other country, it’s shifted away from fossil fuels to a domestic supply of renewable energy.
In Germany, about 40 per cent of the power system was ‘fueled’ by wind and solar in 2021, and that’s only going to increase.
With renewables, says Hari Seshasayee, an energy expert, and trade advisor for the government of Colombia, “you have a lot more control on how much supply you’re going to get over the course of a year, you know what your installed capacity is,” even with the intermittency issues around the availability of wind and sun.
“You don’t have to depend on external factors as much as you would for fossil fuels,” Seshasayee says.
Unfortunately, the price swings will continue, he says, until world energy markets adapt to the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner sources.
“We’re facing probably a decade or so of very volatile commodity prices when it comes to fossil fuels,” Goldthau concurs.
“It’s really not easy to transition from something the world has been dependent on for half a century or more,” Seshasayee says.
The existence of market volatility, however, shows that the world is moving away from fossil fuels, trying to figure out what the energy mix of the future will look like.
“Because if we were continuing to depend on fossil fuels to the same extent as we have over the past few decades, you may not see this much volatility.”
For some analysts, though, that transition is happening without taking into account the importance of maintaining a stable source of energy, first and foremost.
“We do not have enough lithium in this world. We do not have enough copper,” insists Laura Lau, an analyst with Brompton Funds in Toronto, referring to elements needed for the clean-energy transition.
She fears that politicians are foisting a transition onto people without having a good-enough plan to replace existing sources. The world, she says, needs energy, and you can’t just cut off what is available without having something else to make up for the shortfall.
“In an energy-constrained world, we still need energy to grow our economies.”
That’s not so much a challenge in Canada, a country that has vast stores of cheap, reliable energy, mostly oil and gas, but also electricity, about 60 per cent of which is generated from renewable sources.
In many countries, the tradeoff between energy security and energy transition is political upheaval.
If the lights go out, or if people go bankrupt because their energy bills are too high, “you will be met with social unrest … and that’s not what you want,” Goldthau says.
That doesn’t mean that the world can’t keep relying on fossil fuels for a while to keep the lights on, while simultaneously building windmills and solar panels as fast as possible. “It’s both things together,” points out Andrews-Speed.
“The construction of renewable energy will continue apace, and it is being accelerated this year.”
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Business
Nine Restaurant Franchise Goes Global with $120 Million Crypto Crowdfunding Joint Venture, Led by Adnan Ashraf
Adnan Ashraf, a multifaceted entrepreneur with interests spanning pharmaceuticals, technology, and real estate, is embarking on an exciting new venture to expand the renowned Nine restaurant brand into a global franchise. With its reputation for upscale Japanese cuisine and stunning panoramic views, Nine has captured the attention of discerning diners worldwide, and Mr. Ashraf aims to bring this exceptional dining experience to numerous locations across the globe.
To realize his ambitious expansion plans, Mr. Ashraf has engaged in discussions with a pioneering crypto crowdfunding platform, forging a strategic partnership for a joint venture involving 100 stores with an estimated investment of $120 million. Harnessing the power of cryptocurrency, Mr. Ashraf intends to expedite the growth of the Nine franchise and achieve his objectives more efficiently.
The first milestone in this expansion journey involves acquiring a prime waterfront location in Canary Wharf, a prestigious business district in London. Serving as the flagship Nine restaurant, this iconic setting will exemplify the brand’s exquisite cuisine and offer guests unparalleled views. Mr. Ashraf’s vision extends beyond this initial location, as he plans to continue expanding into other prime spots in London and beyond, introducing the Nine dining experience to cosmopolitan cities worldwide.
By partnering with a cryptocurrency crowdfunding platform, Mr. Ashraf aims to tap into the immense potential of this innovative funding mechanism. Cryptocurrency not only streamlines the investment process but also attracts a global community of investors passionate about supporting groundbreaking ventures in the hospitality industry. This collaboration is expected to fuel the rapid expansion of the Nine franchise, ensuring that more diners can savor its exceptional culinary offerings and immerse themselves in the extraordinary ambiance that defines the brand.
Drawing on his extensive entrepreneurial experience, Adnan Ashraf brings a wealth of expertise to this venture. His track record of success across various sectors attests to his ability to navigate complex business landscapes and identify unique opportunities for growth. With his diverse business interests and unwavering commitment to excellence, Mr. Ashraf is poised to spearhead the global expansion of the Nine restaurant brand, establishing a network of exceptional dining establishments worldwide.
Business
Alliance Rental: Alexey Ivanov Latest Venture in Luxury Transport by Alliance Trucks
Alliance Trucks, the leading Japanese and Korean car dealer in Russia, is proud to announce the launch of its new luxury transport rental aggregator, Alliance Rental. The project is the brainchild of Alexey Ivanov, the CEO and owner of Alliance Trucks, a successful businessman, traveler, and blogger. With over 59 countries visited, Alexey Ivanov has gained valuable experience in the automotive industry, which he has leveraged to create Alliance Trucks, a company that generates a trade revenue of $50 million annually.
Founded in 2014, Alliance Trucks has become the biggest Japanese and Korean car dealer in Russia, with four authorized and certified workshops, warehouses in the capital, and numerous certificates of first dealer with top-rated sales and service quality. The company’s mechanic team has won different national and international competitions of professional skills, including the ISUZU GRAN PRIX, where they were the first Russian and second in the world.
Alexey Ivanov’s awareness and commitment to 10 corporate rules have enabled Alliance Trucks to achieve its current status as a respected and reputable brand in the automotive industry. The rules include prioritizing emotional intelligence, respecting corporate culture and business ethics, seeking opportunities for growth in every crisis, and being socially active and engaged in charitable projects.
Alliance Parts, Alexey Ivanov’s latest venture, is a cars and spare parts distribution business in the United Arab Emirates with a global partnership with different car brands. The company leverages Alexey’s life and professional experience to scale similar projects in different market areas.
Alliance Rental is Alexey Ivanov’s latest project, an aggregator that offers a one-stop-shop for luxury transport rentals. The project’s main idea is to provide all the luxury transport rentals that customers may need for emotional holidays, celebrations, dream realization, business meetings, or just for premium lifestyle in one mobile application.
The application, marketing brand, and all business processes are complete, and legal compliance with local laws, rules, and regulations is under process.
Alliance Rental offers taxi Rolls-Royce, luxury sport cars, yachts, helicopters, and aircraft rentals. Partnerships with operators of luxury services are currently being signed, and the project is ready to launch soon.
Alexey Ivanov’s mission is to make the world a better and cleaner place, live a long, bright, and memorable life, create a family, raise children, create and invent something that deeply touches the feelings of people, be a mentor, teach knowledge, and leave a significant mark in history, society, and culture.
For more information on Alliance Rental and Alexey Ivanov, follow him on Instagram at @a.a.ivanov
Business
Januthan Logathas: A video and photography professional who seeks to leave his name among the best in this area
JANUTHAN LOGATHAS was born in a small town in Switzerland and is the son of a Tamil couple from Sri Lanka. His father was the one who began to inspire him to become a video and photography professional, which is why he is currently widely recognized as well as having followed in the footsteps of his father who also worked in this profession. With time people started noticing his Instagram modeling shoots and he became very prominent among European Tamils.
His tik tok videos also boosted his image and recognition a lot as they were filled with a subtle humor that was very pleasing to his followers who were part of Januthan reaching a much larger audience.
People celebrated the German/Albanian co-worker combo in a peculiar way.
In addition, he was also the first Tamil photographer to win the renowned award for the best wedding photography from Radisson in Europe, he gained great popularity especially with the collaboration with Usha Jay in her dance video which achieved many views and this made his audience grow exponentially.
He knows that in order to continue growing in what he does, he must continue working very hard as he has done up to now, and all this with the aim of increasing his public and the quality of his work, and for this it is necessary to continue going through this long learning process in the one that advances a little more every day to reach the desired objective that is to position its name among one of the best in the video and photography industry. In his social networks you can find a lot of material about his work in addition to him also seeing content about his future works which are more than promising
To grow in this industry, you must continue to constantly learn, since this industry is very competitive and only those who know how to implement their ideas and creativity very well when creating new jobs stand out.
Unveiling Life Through the Lens: Explore the captivating world of talented photographer @jpresidento on Instagram and TikTok, as he captures unique moments that have earned him accolades at the Wedisson Awards. Discover his visually mesmerizing art at these links!
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