Australia’s energy transition needs a more pragmatic approach

We have read a lot about the energy situation in Australia. It is in the throes of an energy transition and it is not a simple one. Nor is it simple anywhere else, but Australia starts from the point of view of having its economy largely based on exploiting its large fossil fuel reserves. Focusing … Continue reading Australia’s energy transition needs a more pragmatic approach →

Important developments in more efficient air conditioning

With the changing climate, we are seeing greater deployment of air conditioning. While we can reduce the need through energy renovation and passive designs, the trend towards greater air conditioning will continue. Geoff Smith, Emeritus Professor in Applied Physics, University of Technology, Sydney, writes on The Conversation website about a new approach that uses fluid-filled … Continue reading Important developments in more efficient air conditioning →

Comments on the energy transition from Uganda

It is important for us to see how others discuss the energy transition. Brian K. Katabazi, associate director of the Centre for Energy Governance writes on newvision.co.ug, Uganda’s leading daily, about the importance of renewable energy to mitigate GHG emissions. Advancing Renewable Energy Transition Will Mitigate Climate Change The 2017 publication of the renewable … Continue reading Comments on the energy transition from Uganda →

Thoughts about grid modernisation

Our energy transition has many implications for our electrical systems, as we are increasingly aware of. Peter O’Connor, a Kendall Science Fellow, writes an important article on the Union of Concerned Scientists website about grid modernisation and the role of electric vehicles. What Is Grid Modernization—and What’s the Role of Electric Vehicles? Utilities around … Continue reading Thoughts about grid modernisation →

New York City set to improve energy performance of its larger buildings

Up to 23,000 buildings could be required to significantly improve their energy performance, according to an announcement by Mayor de Blasio this week. William Neuman writes in the New York Times that of the 23,000 buildings, “14,500 are “the worst performing” in terms of energy efficiency”. This is an important development that should be replicated … Continue reading New York City set to improve energy performance of its larger buildings →

Consumers can take more control during the energy transition

As you know, EiD is part of the Energy Advice Exchange and our concern is about ensuring greater consumer empowerment in the development of EU’s sustainable energy strategy. Judith Ireland writes a good article on the illawarramercury website in Australia explaining that householders do not need to be experts to better control how they consume … Continue reading Consumers can take more control during the energy transition →

The energy transition and an emerging energy justice concern

The energy transition is complex and affects many social issues. Jason Byrne and Tony Matthews from Griffith University in Australia raise the concern about energy justice since there are disproportionate impacts of energy poverty. This is a good article you should read. It is available on The Conversation website. What about the people missing out … Continue reading The energy transition and an emerging energy justice concern →

Understanding fuel poverty is a multi-faceted problem

Although fuel poverty affects a wide variety of households in diverse ways, the English government’s definition of who is experiencing fuel poverty is too narrow, argues Lucie Middlemiss, Associate Professor in Sustainability at the University of Leeds. She explains why that is, and what other countries can teach us about alternative approaches. Importantly, she makes … Continue reading Understanding fuel poverty is a multi-faceted problem →

Why energy efficiency is important

It is always important to get different perspectives on the importance of improving energy efficiency. While there has never been more pressure for industry to use less energy, energy efficiency measures are sometimes perceived as a greater risk than the rewards they can bring. Jukka Tolvanen, ABB’s energy efficiency expert, explains the benefits on the … Continue reading Why energy efficiency is important →

The challenges in Canada decoupling GHG emissions and the economy by 2030

Canada is a very energy-intensive economy for many reasons including its size, climate and structure of its economy. Larry Hughes and Ayesha Herian from Dalhousie University write on The Policy Options website about the challenges the country has in decoupling GHG emissions and its economic growth. The correlation between GDP and greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading The challenges in Canada decoupling GHG emissions and the economy by 2030 →