Author: Rod Janssen

The difficulties in developing clean energy

This article by Gary Brodeur in the Victorville Daily Press in the California highlights the difficulties and frustrations in developing renewable energy projects. Clean energy proving harder to capture than expected As the developer of a solar power plant sweats getting approval by deadline, some nearby residents hope it never gets built at all. It’s … Continue reading The difficulties in developing clean energy →

Employment impact from investment in energy efficiency

Pennie Varvarides writes in the website Lighting about the jobs safeguarded in Wales due to recent investment in energy efficiency.   Energy efficiency push secures thousands of jobs At least 1,500 private sector jobs have been safeguarded in Wales thanks to investment in energy efficiency. These figures were revealed today by the Carbon Trust’s Wales … Continue reading Employment impact from investment in energy efficiency →

Lord Stern issues stark warning on the financial damage from climate change

Tom Bawden writes in The Independent that Lord Stern says current models do not adequately reflect the science and the impact on global economies   Climate change will ‘cost world far more than estimated’ Lord Stern, the world’s most authoritative climate economist, has issued a stark warning that the financial damage caused by global warming … Continue reading Lord Stern issues stark warning on the financial damage from climate change →

New IEA report on Russian energy policies

The International Energy Agency has just published its assessment of Russia’s energy policies. Russia's energy sector plays an essential role for the Russian economy, its energy security and global hydrocarbon supplies. Russia holds among the world’s largest resources of gas, oil and coal. Its liquids production has reached historical highs, yet major additional upstream investments … Continue reading New IEA report on Russian energy policies →

Road to low carbon economy never was going to be easy

We have seen many good efforts for our economies to reduce carbon emissions but there are undoubted blips along the path. Terry Macalister writes in The Guardian about how the use of coal grew by 3% in 2013, faster than any other fossil fuel.   Coal's share of energy market at highest level since 1970 … Continue reading Road to low carbon economy never was going to be easy →

Dyson’s view on EU’s energy labelling and performance standards

James Dyson is one of Europe’s world-recognised innovators and is known for his iconic vacuum cleaner. He writes in the Financial Times about his concerns that the EU is essentially promoting mediocrity and not better performance, fewer materials and less energy. It would be good to get the views of others. James Dyson: ‘The EU … Continue reading Dyson’s view on EU’s energy labelling and performance standards →

German renewable energy policy about to change

We have all been following Germany’s energy transition. With the new government coalition we are now seeing some interesting changes to the approach taken, as Bentham Paulos writes on the Greentech website. The next phase of Germany’s energy transition takes competitive markets into account.  Will other European countries start making the same move?   Germany’s … Continue reading German renewable energy policy about to change →

New critique of “green” energy subsidies in the UK

Terry Macalister writes in The Guardian about the analysis of one consumer group in the UK that challenges the cost-effectiveness of energy subsidies. The organisation warns planned green energy subsidies may not be value for money, as more cost effective options may be overlooked   Consumer group Which? questions virtue of green energy subsidies A … Continue reading New critique of “green” energy subsidies in the UK →

A high-rise Active House in Germany

Planetsave writes about a new residential building in Franfurt that shows what can be done combining energy efficient measures and solar. It does not state what the consumption per square metre is and it would be good if any EiD readers could let us know.   Tallest German Residential High-Rise Will Also Be Solar Aktivhaus … Continue reading A high-rise Active House in Germany →