Chris Mooney provides a good article in the Washington Post about the rate of growth of renewable energies in the US. While the rate of growth is good, Mooney points out that they are still contributing a small fraction of the total electricity used in the US, far less than coal. Here’s how much … Continue reading The energy transition – the rate of growth of renewables
Author: Rod Janssen
Latest update on sustainable energy finance
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the February update on global developments in sustainable energy finance. February 2015 Sustainable Energy Finance Update In February, the African Development Bank (AfDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Climate Investment Funds (CIF) of the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), … Continue reading Latest update on sustainable energy finance
The energy transition and the greater effect on the electricity system – renewables or efficiency?
John Farrell writes a good article on the CleanTechnica website arguing that, while renewable energy leads in the news, energy efficiency may be the more persistent threat to electric utilities in the 21st century. Do you have a view? Is Energy Efficiency The More Persistent Threat To Utilities? While local renewable energy and energy … Continue reading The energy transition and the greater effect on the electricity system – renewables or efficiency?
VAT issues arise again in Britain
In February 2013, EiD had a post by Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation of Energy on the European Commission’s demand that VAT rise (again) to the rate of 20%. He and many others had argued for years about the importance of the lower rate of 5% but the Commission argued that the … Continue reading VAT issues arise again in Britain
A greener form of refrigeration?
Terry Slavin writes an interesting article in The Guardian about a new waste product derived from sugar beet could help cut supermarket energy consumption from refrigeration. Could this be a game changer? The natural refrigerant set to reduce supermarket energy use Could the sugar you have in your morning coffee help prevent global warming? … Continue reading A greener form of refrigeration?
Electric vehicles and our transmission grids
What does the increased interest in electric vehicles mean for our electricity systems. Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about why Americans have little to worry about. Is this true in Europe as well? Some people worry that Teslas will jam the power grid. Here’s why they’re wrong The world … Continue reading Electric vehicles and our transmission grids
Low hanging fruit or strawberries?
Matt Golden argues in an article on the GreenTech website in favour of a new path forward for energy efficiency based on markets. EiD certainly recommends you to read this. Let’s Get Real: The Energy Efficiency Industry Can Do Better In my last Greentech Media article, I looked at the limitations of top-down energy … Continue reading Low hanging fruit or strawberries?
How the low carbon energy transition can affect insurers
Any major macro-economic transition is going to have winners and losers. This also holds true for the low carbon energy transition that is underway. Tom Bawden writes an important article in The Independent about the big hit that insurance companies could suffer due to huge volumes of fossil fuel reserves that could be left ‘stranded.’ … Continue reading How the low carbon energy transition can affect insurers
New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions
A report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) finds that transitioning to modern district energy systems could reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50%. The resulting emission reductions could amount to 60% of those required of the energy sector by 2050 to keep average temperature rise below 2°C, according to the report, titled … Continue reading New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions
Trying to better understand why some distrust science more than others
Chris Mooney writes a very thoughtful article in the Washington Post about a new study that tries to understand how Americans feel about the use of scientific information to determine government policy, and how they feel about the extent to which it should be funded by the federal government. This is well worth the read. … Continue reading Trying to better understand why some distrust science more than others
