This article by Madeline Chambers of Reuters explains some of the unexpected non-energy benefits to Germany’s North Sea coasts. It would be interesting to know what other non-energy benefits are coming from renewable energy projects. Wind farms to lure back German lobsters decimated by WW2 New wind farms off Germany's North Sea coast will … Continue reading Wind farms bring unexpected benefits to German coasts
Author: Rod Janssen
Britain’s homes under the microscope
John Kemp, a market analyst for the Reuters news service, provides an excellent article on the dynamics of energy consumption in the housing sector in Britain. It would be good to know how this compares with other European countries. Britain's quiet home energy revolution Britain's homes are in the midst of an energy-efficiency revolution, though … Continue reading Britain’s homes under the microscope
Number of the week – 400
Kiley Kroh provides the following data in Climate Progress In terms of total solar power capacity per capita, Germany crushes every other country. At the end of 2012, it had approximately 400 MW of solar power capacity per million people, considerably more than #2 Italy at 267 MW per million people, #3 Belgium at 254 … Continue reading Number of the week – 400
Concerns about how sustainable the solar industry is
David Ferris, a journalist who writes often for Forbes, Sierra magazine and the New York Times, provided an interesting article in The Guardian about the struggle that solar manufacturers have to survive and what the impact means on sustainability. Sustainability and the solar industry Is sustainability losing momentum in the solar industry? The commitment of solar … Continue reading Concerns about how sustainable the solar industry is
Questions about the security of smart meters
John Naughton writes in The Observer about the security aspects of the roll out of smart meters through the UK. Why smart meters might not be so clever after all Smart meters will be widespread in the UK by the end of the decade, but has the government thought through the security ramifications? Those … Continue reading Questions about the security of smart meters
The impact of the new generation of smart windows
RTCC (Responding to Climate Change) assesses the important energy savings that are available from new materials that are being developed to significantly increase the efficiency of windows. Smart windows could spark energy efficiency revolution Window coating can stop around 50% of heat and 70% of visible light, generating huge energy savings A window spray … Continue reading The impact of the new generation of smart windows
Poland’s drive to exploit shale gas
The shale gas “revolution” is certainly a big topic in Europe. Some are for, some are against but all are talking about it. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writes for The Telegraph from Krakow about the latest developments in Poland. Poland's shale drive will transform Europe, if it does not drop the ball The US Energy Department thinks … Continue reading Poland’s drive to exploit shale gas
Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China
Jennifer Duggan writes in the China Blog for the Guardian about the plans to make energy efficiency a higher priority. The main driver appears to be tackling the worsening pollution problems that are plaguing the country China to invest in energy saving industries to tackle pollution China's State Council announces plans to make green industries … Continue reading Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China
German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy
Dr. Matthias Lang and Prof. Dr. U. Mutschler write in Environmental Politics and Renewable about consumer acceptance of the energy transition underway in Germany. The article quotes Holger Krawinkel of VZBZ, a good friend of EiD and a former member of the board of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee). VZBZ: … Continue reading German consumers give their views on the phase out of nuclear energy and the new role for renewable energy
Will new building standards make it harder for the small builder?
Louise Bateman writes in Green Building News about the problems small and medium-sized construction companies will face in the UK when new energy efficiency building standards come into force in 2014. Warning for construction SMEs over new energy efficiency building standards Small and medium-sized companies operating in the construction sector are being warned they could … Continue reading Will new building standards make it harder for the small builder?
