Florian Kern, co-Director of the Sussex Energy Group, a Research Fellow working on a project on ‘policy synergies and trade offs for low energy innovation‘ at the Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand, and a Senior Lecturer at SPRU-Science Policy Research Unit, writes about another about face for the UK government. This blog is on … Continue reading UK position on energy efficiency getting clearer but not good
Category: buildings
British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes
Philip Oldfield writes in the Guardian about the government decision to axe plans to make new homes carbon neutral from 2016. This has raised much criticism. What the article does not mention is how the government will now meet its related obligations for nearly zero energy buildings under the EU’s energy performance of buildings directive. … Continue reading British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes
Smart technology can help commercial buildings reduce their energy use
The CNA Finance website has an article that describes the benefits of building automation. We Need A Smarter Process for Building Automation Commercial buildings are huge energy consumers that pollute the environment. The good news is that smart building technology exists to provide a solution to this problem for over 5.4 million US commercial … Continue reading Smart technology can help commercial buildings reduce their energy use
New developments in domestic batteries
Shane Hickey writes a good article in the Guardian about a London startup that tailors smaller, cheaper batteries for UK households to use more of their own generated solar energy The innovators: how smaller batteries give more power to UK solar households When Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, took to the stage … Continue reading New developments in domestic batteries
Britain’s domestic energy efficiency strategy needs more money
While another post this week detailed that the UK’s domestic energy efficiency programmes are off track, Rebecca McAdam writes on the 24dash.com website that the Climate Change Committee, that provides independent, evidence-based advice to the UK Government and Parliament, stresses that the government must provide more adequate and effective resources. CCC urges increased investment … Continue reading Britain’s domestic energy efficiency strategy needs more money
Developments in retrofit metal roofing
The Steelworks website from the American Iron and Steel Institute writes about retrofit metal roofing that helps heat and cool buildings, produces electricity for the grid, and harvests rainwater. Is this the way of the future? High Tech Roofing Brings Energy Efficiency to Department of Defense The nation’s largest energy user, the Department of … Continue reading Developments in retrofit metal roofing
New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City
Christian de Looper writes a good article in Tech Times about a new high-rise apartment building that will make it the largest passive building in the world. This 26-Story Building Will Be The Largest Passive Building Ever Built Passive energy-powered buildings are becoming more popular, although most of those that pass the requirements to … Continue reading New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City
Novel way to do a building retrofit
ClickGreen provides a fascinating article about how several buildings in London are taking advantage of the Energy Company Obligation. Specialist abseilers provide energy efficiency refit to London tower blocks Dozens of London tower blocks are receiving energy efficiency refits with £500,000 worth of insulation installed by a specialist team of abseilers. The residential buildings … Continue reading Novel way to do a building retrofit
Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales
Sarah Brimacombe of the law firm Clyde and Co LLP has written an excellent article on the Lexology website about the implications of the new minimum energy efficiency standards on commercial buildings. Is there anything comparable in other countries? New regulations on minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial properties: tenants beware! New minimum energy … Continue reading Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales
Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place
It is never easy to determine the market value of a home that has had improvements on its energy performance, as explained by Chris Mooney in the Washington Post. Here’s how to get real estate markets to properly value green homes From installing rooftop solar panels to putting in new triple pane windows and … Continue reading Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 