Category: energy efficiency

Reviewing the new report – Climate Change: Implications for Buildings

Those working globally, regionally or nationally to improve the energy performance of buildings have recognised and tried to explain to a wider audience the importance of having an ambitious approach to such improvements for both new and existing buildings. While one can go on and on about one energy supply source after another, what it … Continue reading Reviewing the new report – Climate Change: Implications for Buildings →

Latest briefing from E3G – Energy efficiency as Europe’s first response to energy security

Energy efficiency is now higher on the political agenda, with seven countries writing to the European Commission to request binding energy efficiency targets be put on the table. Importantly this includes three of the four crisis-hit Member States – Ireland, Greece and Portugal. These are countries that have clearly understood that it is better for … Continue reading Latest briefing from E3G – Energy efficiency as Europe’s first response to energy security →

Update on rolling out smart meters

Barbara Lewis writes on the Reuters website about the poor progress of introducing smart meters throughout the EU. The EU risks not reaching the 80% roll out goal by 2020.   Europe behind target for energy saving power meters Sixteen of the European Union's 28 nations will go ahead with a large-scale roll out of … Continue reading Update on rolling out smart meters →

Question of the week – is the lock in effect a major policy concern?

It would be good to get readers’ views on the “lock in effect” related to the renovation of buildings. The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive from 2012 requires member states to prepare long-term renovation strategies. In the recital to the Directive it states: Bearing in mind that the Council conclusions of 10 June 2011 on the … Continue reading Question of the week – is the lock in effect a major policy concern? →

China’s moves in the global LED industry

LED lighting has shaken up the lighting industry globally. There are now many big players but China is taking a leading role according to Keith Bradsher in the New York Times.   As LED Industry Evolves, China Elbows Ahead A year ago, China’s light-emitting diode industry seemed like a case study of industrial policy gone … Continue reading China’s moves in the global LED industry →

Employment impact from investment in energy efficiency

Pennie Varvarides writes in the website Lighting about the jobs safeguarded in Wales due to recent investment in energy efficiency.   Energy efficiency push secures thousands of jobs At least 1,500 private sector jobs have been safeguarded in Wales thanks to investment in energy efficiency. These figures were revealed today by the Carbon Trust’s Wales … Continue reading Employment impact from investment in energy efficiency →

Dyson’s view on EU’s energy labelling and performance standards

James Dyson is one of Europe’s world-recognised innovators and is known for his iconic vacuum cleaner. He writes in the Financial Times about his concerns that the EU is essentially promoting mediocrity and not better performance, fewer materials and less energy. It would be good to get the views of others. James Dyson: ‘The EU … Continue reading Dyson’s view on EU’s energy labelling and performance standards →

A high-rise Active House in Germany

Planetsave writes about a new residential building in Franfurt that shows what can be done combining energy efficient measures and solar. It does not state what the consumption per square metre is and it would be good if any EiD readers could let us know.   Tallest German Residential High-Rise Will Also Be Solar Aktivhaus … Continue reading A high-rise Active House in Germany →

Energy efficiency needs higher priority in Malta

Calamatta Cuschieri writes in the Malta Independent about the problems in Malta in implementing elements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, specifically the Energy Performance Certificates. Flouting the law on energy efficiency – at what cost to us all? It has to be said that some positive steps have been taken to improve and … Continue reading Energy efficiency needs higher priority in Malta →