Category: buildings

What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK?

For the past couple of weeks, EiD has had posts on the VAT spat that the British government is having with the European Commission.  Already this year, there have been raised concerns about the flagship financing programme, the Green Deal.  Now we have another major issue that appears to be going to the courts to … Continue reading What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK? →

The rising priority for energy efficiency in buildings

Richard Matthews writes in theenergycollective.com about the benefits from improving the energy efficiency of new buildings.  While the report is about the United States and it admits that the US has lagged behind many other nations, it refers to a recent United Nations study and has important lessons for Europeans. Growth of Energy Efficient Buildings … Continue reading The rising priority for energy efficiency in buildings →

More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission

In the recent post on Britain's taxing issue, EiD quoted Andrew Warren, Director of the UK Association for the Conservation of Energy.  Following other comments that EiD has received, Andrew has kindly provided the following extended note.  As all Europeans are trying to address how to finance energy efficiency investments, this is an important issue … Continue reading More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission →

Launch of new buildings network website

The Global Buildings Performance Network based in Paris has revamped its entire website and launched its participative global Knowledge Platform advancing best practice policies in building energy performance. The new GBPN web-based tool, will stimulate collective research and analysis from experts worldwide to promote better decision-making and help the building sector effectively reduce its impact … Continue reading Launch of new buildings network website →

Is efficient sufficient? revisited

Stephen Lacy for Greentech efficiency raises important points about our energy use in houses.  In Europe, the eceee had an excellent workshop on this a few years ago, and it needs to be discussed even more. These trends in America are, one suspects, that are also true for Europe.  Maybe they will be discussed at … Continue reading Is efficient sufficient? revisited →

Can energy efficiency be easy?

Walter Frick provides a very interesting post in Cleantech and Firstfuel about the importance of making operational changes in commercial buildings.  This is important because, when it comes to buildings, too often our first reaction is to undertake a major retrofit.  Maybe there is some merit in taking a different view. What if Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Can energy efficiency be easy? →

Can buildings be power plants?

Adam Vaughan writes in the Guardian about new developments in Oxford to create colourful, transparent solar cells that are reputed to only add 10% to the cost of glass buildings. Colourful 'solar glass' means entire buildings can generate clean power A solar power company capable of "printing" colourful glass that can generate electricity from the … Continue reading Can buildings be power plants? →