Category: energy efficiency

New UN report shows value of improving the energy efficiency of buildings

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been actively seeking how to finance measures to address climate change and other related concerns.  It created a finance initiative that is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector.  It has just published an important report on the importance of investing in energy efficient measures in … Continue reading New UN report shows value of improving the energy efficiency of buildings →

These buildings may be “green” but it doesn’t make them energy efficient

The Environmental Policy Alliance (EPA) has recently released research to show that LEED-certified buildings in the Washington DC area may have a good reputation but there are questions about their energy efficiency.  There are concerns about LEED that are mentioned in this article.  It is particularly important in Washington because D.C. is one of several … Continue reading These buildings may be “green” but it doesn’t make them energy efficient →

Benefits of new energy building codes

Barbara Vergetis Lundin writes in Fierce Energy about new research from one of the US national laboratories that quantified the savings from federal funding for more ambitious energy building codes. Interestingly, for every US$1 the Department of Energy spent on building energy codes, US$400 in energy cost savings resulted.   Building code energy efficiency dollar … Continue reading Benefits of new energy building codes →

New energy efficiency standards in the US approved

Andrew Gaven writes in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine about new standards for commercial refrigeration.  The new standards replace earlier standards that had been in place since 2009.   US introduces new energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration Updated standards will cut energy use by 30 per cent and save business $12 billion, news … Continue reading New energy efficiency standards in the US approved →

Explaining why electricity use is declining

Steven Nadel writes on the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) website about his analysis to explain why electricity use is declining in the U.S. It would be good to see equivalent analysis for Europe or other regions.  Let us know.   U.S. Electricity Use is Declining and Energy Efficiency May be a Significant … Continue reading Explaining why electricity use is declining →

How Singapore is promoting energy efficient buildings

Dr. John Keung, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) wrote in Today’s Facility Manager about the initiatives underway in Singapore to encourage the building of energy efficient buildings.  It is a good example for others to consider.   Singapore Ramps Up Energy Efficient Buildings Climate change has been a hot topic … Continue reading How Singapore is promoting energy efficient buildings →

Do we need a binding EU energy efficiency target for 2030?

Last June I chaired an informal session at the eceee Summer Study on binding targets where Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation of Energy eloquently made the case that they were definitely needed.  Well, as EiD readers know, the Commission’s proposal for 2030 not only did not have a binding target, but it … Continue reading Do we need a binding EU energy efficiency target for 2030? →

Videos of the week

They may not qualify for the upcoming Academy Awards, but this has been a good week for new videos on aspects of sustainable energy. • Walt Patterson No one has analysed the electricity system more thoroughly than Walt Patterson, Associate Fellow at Chatham House and Visiting Fellow at the University of Sussex. Walt recently wrote … Continue reading Videos of the week →

The co-benefits of energy efficient lighting?

We are often talking about the benefits of energy efficient lighting.  Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about a use of the lighting that can be used for monitoring conversations, controlling traffic and much more.  So, when you look at a new LED light you better smile because it could be the portal … Continue reading The co-benefits of energy efficient lighting? →