A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050

It is interesting to see the mixed signals in the US. Well, maybe this is true in most countries, but with the foot dragging on climate and energy issues by the federal administration, it is encouraging to see a diverse coalition including manufacturers, consumer groups, utilities, environmental groups, and public officials taking action to cut … Continue reading A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050 →

Why are we subsidising an untraceable currency and destroying the environment?

Every day we are reading new stories about the Bitcoin phenomenon. While there are many regulatory concerns, there are also concerns about the energy required to make this cryptocurrency available. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a regular contributor to EiD, gives us his views on recent developments. This article was … Continue reading Why are we subsidising an untraceable currency and destroying the environment? →

Analysing changes in energy consumption in buildings in Hong Kong

Ernest Kao writes in the South China Morning Post about a new study that analyses the energy consumption in Hong Kong’s buildings since 2000. Hong Kong energy use per household down since 2000, but hotels and schools could be pushing up total use Hongkongers used three per cent less electricity in 2013 than in … Continue reading Analysing changes in energy consumption in buildings in Hong Kong →

Are you clueless about how much energy you use?

Chris Mooney has written a good article in the Washington Post about the many reasons why we don’t know much energy we use Here’s one reason it’s so hard to know your energy footprint Much research has shown that people are often pretty clueless when it comes to how much energy they use. But … Continue reading Are you clueless about how much energy you use? →

Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners

The use of air conditioning globally is increasing at a rapid rate, particularly in non-OECD countries. Chris Mooney writes an important article in the Washington Post about this trend. As he writes, the motive is not increasing temperatures but greater wealth. However, unless the electricity can be provided by renewable energy, the impact on global … Continue reading Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners →

The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid

The sustainable energy transition is complex and even electricity utilities realise there is a need to change even if there is inconvenience. Takefumi Arai writes on Renewable Energy Focus website about many of the challenges. The Electrical Grid and Renewable Energy: Creating a Stable Relationship Electric utilities and grid operators face the challenge of … Continue reading The challenge of integrating distributed energy into the electrical grid →

Thoughts on the energy transition

EiD tries to provide readers with a wide range of articles that discuss the low-carbon energy transition. It is a bumpy road but there is plenty of evidence that important gains are being made. This is a very thoughtful article in The Guardian by Bryony Worthington, a Labour peer and an architect of the UK's … Continue reading Thoughts on the energy transition →

Understanding how business both uses energy and can save energy

Phys.org describes a new research project in the UK that works with retailers to help them find more efficient ways of managing their energy consumption. Research brings to light businesses' energy use According to Oxford University researchers, many retailers, including those with smart meters, are not actively 'managing' how much energy they use and … Continue reading Understanding how business both uses energy and can save energy →