Video-in-Demand

EiD has come across two excellent videos for EiD readers. The first is by Peter Sweatman for Eurima, the European Insulation Manufacturers, on Financing Mechanisms for Europe’s Buildings Renovations.  This is an excellent argument for an ambitious energy efficiency directive and the need for incentives for building refurbishment. The second is by the UNFCCC Executive … Continue reading Video-in-Demand

Brussels . . . Briefly . . .

Following the vote by the European Parliament on February 28th, it is now the turn of the European Council under the Presidency of Denmark to get a common position in order to start the trialogues. For information on the co-decision process, go to the Reference Material page.   All indications show that the negotiations will start … Continue reading Brussels . . . Briefly . . .

Interesting reading . . .

Renewable Energies in Africa:  Current Knowledge This report summarises current knowledge at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre regarding Renewable Energy in Africa. It assesses current energy consumption and the share of renewables in African states, and attempts to estimate the technical potential of available resources of solar, wind, biomass and hydropower that could be … Continue reading Interesting reading . . .

Let’s meet in Paris

It is almost springtime and the meeting season has already started.  It is Energy Efficiency Week at the IEA from March 12th to 16th and there are three important workshops. On Wednesday, March 14th a workshop on “The Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency” will expand on previous IEA work on multiple benefits for fuel poverty … Continue reading Let’s meet in Paris

Draft Energy Efficiency Directive Passes Major Hurdle

As widely reported in the press this week, the European Parliamentary Committee responsible for energy matters voted 31 to 22 to start negotiations with the EU Council on the final legislation. It follows months of work on the draft directive, which has already been amended 1,800 times. Key to the proposed legislation is a binding … Continue reading Draft Energy Efficiency Directive Passes Major Hurdle

New Report on Recent Real-time Feedback Studies

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently published a report on pilot projects and experiments concerning real-time feedback.  One of the major barriers to changing consumer behaviour is lack of feedback about the impact that their energy-saving behaviour has on energy use. Residential electricity savings from real-time feedback in the nine pilots reviewed … Continue reading New Report on Recent Real-time Feedback Studies

Energy efficiency report calls for new and tougher EU targets

Energy efficiency experts at the University of East Anglia are calling for ambitious new targets to reduce energy demand across the European Union. In a report published on February 27th by the Build with CaRe consortium, the researchers propose a new EU target of a 40 % reduction in primary energy demand by 2050. The … Continue reading Energy efficiency report calls for new and tougher EU targets

IEA Energy Policy Review of Denmark

The International Energy Agency recently published a report on Danish energy policies.  The IEA in-depth review opens: “Denmark is a leader among OECD member countries in terms of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change policies.”  This is obviously a winning combination. The report sets the scene by stating that Denmark has a long history … Continue reading IEA Energy Policy Review of Denmark

Neighbourhood Watch

Public buildings are required to display an energy performance certificate, as mandated by the recast of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.  This is required for all buildings larger than 500 square metres.  That threshold will drop to 250 square metres in 2015.  The city hall of the 18th district (arrondissement) of Paris (where … Continue reading Neighbourhood Watch

Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . .

In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was recast in 2010, in large part to set more ambitious goals for the energy performance of buildings. As of December 31, 2020, all new – residential and non-residential – buildings will have to be “nearly zero energy.” Nearly zero energy buildings can completely transform the buildings … Continue reading Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . .