Blueprints for a low energy economy

Is the new UK government prepared to rise to the challenge of investing in energy efficiency measures and reducing the country’s energy use? asks Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation in an article in the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. In recognition of the new Government's determination to deliver … Continue reading Blueprints for a low energy economy →

AI drives 48% increase in Google GHG emissions

The tech giant’s goal of reducing its climate footprint is at risk as it grows increasingly reliant on energy-hungry data centres. Overall, Google says about two thirds of its energy is derived from carbon-free sources but it’s obviously not enough. Dan Milmo discusses Google’s challenges in an article on the Guardian website. Google’s emissions … Continue reading AI drives 48% increase in Google GHG emissions →

Spain’s energy transition: “We need to engage more people and more industries in demand-side management”

Guy Hedgecoe writes on the BBC news website about Spain’s growing renewable energy industry with concerns within the electricity industry caused by an imbalance between supply and demand with, at times, a surplus of electricity. Too much of a good thing? Spain's green energy can exceed demand The patchwork plains of Castilla-La Mancha, in … Continue reading Spain’s energy transition: “We need to engage more people and more industries in demand-side management” →

Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all

Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment. Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, discusses the carbon footprint of ChatGPT in an article on the Guardian website. The ugly … Continue reading Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all →

Importance of reducing energy demand and improving energy efficiency

In an article on The Conversation website, Louis Fletcher, Research Fellow in the Geopolitics of Energy, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick argues for a demand-side approach to energy security. Reducing energy demand and improving efficiency will help prevent the next gas crisis Gas prices have relaxed, Europe has come out of the winter … Continue reading Importance of reducing energy demand and improving energy efficiency →

How to deliver the COP 29 energy efficiency target

In an article in the February issue of the Energy in Buildings & Industry magazine, Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, looks at some of the proposals from the recent Davos Summit which could help to reduce energy demand while helping to drive growth and productivity. Practical ways to get the … Continue reading How to deliver the COP 29 energy efficiency target →

Florida community reaches LEED Zero

In an article on the Washington Post website, Nicolás Rivero discusses the world’s first LEED Zero Energy certified residential development in Hunter’s Point, Florida where every house produces more electricity than it uses. Why people don’t have to pay anything for electricity in this Florida community In this Florida development, no one pays an … Continue reading Florida community reaches LEED Zero →

Transforming energy demand

A set of business actions aimed at reducing the intensity of energy demand could unlock annual savings of at least $2 trillion for the global economy. A news item on the Modern Diplomacy website discusses a new report of the World Economic Forum on the transforming energy demand initiative. Action on Energy Demand Could … Continue reading Transforming energy demand →

Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe

Research commissioned by the European Mobility4All campaign provides disappointing reading for those who thought that our governments had turned a corner and were giving more attention to our rail systems. Rail networks in most countries have been starved of funding while motorways lengthen, the study shows. Ajit Niranjan explains in an article on the Guardian … Continue reading Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe →

France will reach the level of electricity consumption expected in 2050 as early as 2030-2035

Assuming France achieves its decarbonisation and reindustrialisation targets, electricity consumption could rise to 580-640 TWh by 2035, equivalent to what the grid operator had forecasted for 2050 in its “Future Energy 2050” report published at the end of 2021. In an article on the EURACTIV website, Paul Messad discusses the recent report from France’s electricity … Continue reading France will reach the level of electricity consumption expected in 2050 as early as 2030-2035 →