Quote of the week

Many were disappointed with last week’s proposals from the European Commission for targets for energy and climate for 2030. It is important to reflect on the words from the inventor of the “long lasting, practical” incandescent light bulb (and much more), Thomas Edison: We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Impact of energy-efficient homes

A study in Ireland shows that investing in improving the energy performance of homes brings good dividends to the overall asset value. This post was written by Paul Melia of the Irish Independent. Energy-efficiency measures add 10pc to home value Homeowners have added almost 10pc to the value of their homes by investing in … Continue reading Impact of energy-efficient homes →

Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK

Ian Johnston of The Independent reports on a recent study that surveyed indoor temperature has risen almost 14 % since the 1970s, with an actual decrease in average household consumption. Many from other EU countries will be surprised that the average temperature is now 17.7 degrees C. Furthermore, more than a third of people keep … Continue reading Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK →

Multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 and EU budget 2014

Everyone has been concerned about the EU’s multiannual financial framework that was finally agreed upon. The budget of the EU has a considerable influence on the extent and impact of its full range of policies and programmes. The EU Bookshop has just published a report that presents the key figures of the 2014–2020 multiannual financial … Continue reading Multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 and EU budget 2014 →

Nicholas Stern answers . . .

For last week’s World Energy Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Nicholas Stern, the economist and academic and author of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change, was asked several questions related to energy and climate policy by the UK’s Independent. The Big Questions: Is fracking the answer to the UK’s energy needs? … Continue reading Nicholas Stern answers . . . →

US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation

EiD has had many posts concerning the role and activities of energy companies, including, as we see in Europe, certain obligations to promote energy efficiency. Jim Malewitz writes in the New York Times about the efforts of utilities in many states to change the business model from an “energy only” market to a “capacity” model. … Continue reading US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation →

The winds of change

Definitely, offshore wind farms are increasingly appearing in the US. Interestingly, according to Diane Cardwell from the New York Times, companies from Europe are taking a dominant role. U.S. Offshore Wind Farm, Made in Europe Carl Horstmann strode around the floor of his factory here, passing welders honing head-high metal tubes as sparks flew. … Continue reading The winds of change →

What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient?

The Boston-based reporter, Martin LaMonica, writes an excellent article on how new “smart” products are changing how we use appliances in our homes. There are environmental benefits but they are not always immediate. LaMonica concludes that, whether a smart home is an energy-efficient home has more to do with the owner than the technology. It … Continue reading What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient? →

Quotes of the week

In his eceee column reacting to the Commission’s 2030 climate and energy policy framework, presented on January 22nd, Hans Nilsson provides us with a quote within a quote: . . . it is worth being reminded of the words of the Danish professor Noergaard when he said that “it might not be cost-effective to save … Continue reading Quotes of the week →

The European Commission in the news

This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news →