Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save

A new scientific study argues that wood pellets, considered a “carbon neutral” product may not be so neutral. Carl Meyer explains in an article on the National Observer website. Wood pellets from clear-cut, old-growth forests may not be carbon neutral Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation … Continue reading Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save →

Canada faces many challenges in its energy transition

Canada’s economy has been highly dependent on fossil fuels. It knows it has to address climate change but the way forward is very complex, and even more complicated as it addresses the coronavirus crisis. Aaron Wherry provides a good account of the issues in an article on the CBC website. This is important reading for … Continue reading Canada faces many challenges in its energy transition →

A company aiming to use old mine shafts as batteries to store renewable energy is to build a demonstration project showcasing its technology in Scotland

Greig Cameron writes on the Times website about a demonstration project in Scotland that will use gravity-powered batteries. What are your views on this technology? Gravity-powered batteries generate electricity when the wind dies down A company aiming to use old mine shafts as batteries to store renewable energy is to build a demonstration project … Continue reading A company aiming to use old mine shafts as batteries to store renewable energy is to build a demonstration project showcasing its technology in Scotland →

Efforts to preserve historic buildings have greatly hampered their ability to be retrofitted with energy-efficient solutions

Academics find that preservation policies preventing historic buildings from being fitted with energy-efficient measures added £5.6 billion to energy bills across an eight-year period in England. These costs ought to be weighed against any benefits of preservation. Chris Lines explains in an article on the City, University of London website. The energy costs of … Continue reading Efforts to preserve historic buildings have greatly hampered their ability to be retrofitted with energy-efficient solutions →

Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours

Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours. Our reaction to any novelty is so complex that a lot of socio-psychological research has been done to try to make it more predictable. Gianluca Dotti discusses much of this research in an article on the … Continue reading Understanding how people decide to use less energy at home or at work is crucial to boost virtuous behaviours →

Cities ushering in environmentally friendly mobility changes

There has been an on-going shift in mobility in cities but that has accelerated as cities cope with the coronavirus crisis. Martin Kuebler discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Coronavirus inspires cities to push climate-friendly mobility Cities around the world have been at a standstill, trying to stop the … Continue reading Cities ushering in environmentally friendly mobility changes →

With buildings empty, service providers hungry for work and capital cheap, it seems a great time to bring buildings into the 21st century

Sarah Golden writes on the Greenbiz website about the opportunity right now during the lockdown to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings. Now is a great time to optimize energy in buildings. You'd think Despite being mostly empty, commercial real estate energy bills are mostly unchanged. Commercial buildings in the United Kingdom have … Continue reading With buildings empty, service providers hungry for work and capital cheap, it seems a great time to bring buildings into the 21st century →

How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives

Understanding how people view their own energy consumption and how this impacts on reducing GHG emissions is crucial if we are to achieve our long-term objectives. Academic Shahzeen Attari studies the psychology behind energy use and our views of the climate problem. Chris Mooney interviewed her in an article on the Washington Post website. … Continue reading How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives →

A solution to reducing methane emissions from cattle

Cattle produce more methane than many large countries. A solution could be an ecological and financial breakthrough — and a Swiss biotech company may be on the cusp. Latest developments are discussed by Adam Satariano in an article on the New York Times website. The Business of Burps: Scientists Smell Profit in Cow Emissions … Continue reading A solution to reducing methane emissions from cattle →

A “breakthrough” method of firing ceramic materials could enable a leap in manufacturing a wide range of products, including solid-state batteries and fuel cells

Harry Cockburn writes on The Independent website about a new manufacturing method invented by scientists at the University of Maryland that both meets the needs of modern ceramics and fosters the discovery of new material innovations. ‘Superfast’ new manufacturing method could allow breakthrough in battery technology, scientists say A “breakthrough” method of firing ceramic … Continue reading A “breakthrough” method of firing ceramic materials could enable a leap in manufacturing a wide range of products, including solid-state batteries and fuel cells →