Category: energy efficiency

Brief notes

There are several short briefs that should be of interest. • Jan Rosenow and Nicholas Howarth have published a new academic report on banning the incandescent lightbulb in Germany. Much academic attention has been directed at analysing energy efficiency investments through the lens of ‘behavioural failure’. These studies have challenged the neoclassical framing of regulation … Continue reading Brief notes →

Showing urban leadership – part 2

Continuing on an urban theme, there was a recent survey of 300 cities on energy efficiency and technologies that provides very interesting evidence on investments in energy-efficient technologies.  This article comes from the Buildings.com website. Separately, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a new role as U.N. envoy on cities and climate change. … Continue reading Showing urban leadership – part 2 →

Showing urban leadership – part 1

Many US cities are working very closely together to increase the energy performance of large buildings.  Sarah Kollmorgen writes on Northwestern University’s Madill Reports website about the City Energy Project that includes Chicago from where she is writing from.   10 cities, one energy-efficient goal Chicago is one of 10 cities that have joined the … Continue reading Showing urban leadership – part 1 →

Impact of energy-efficient homes

A study in Ireland shows that investing in improving the energy performance of homes brings good dividends to the overall asset value.  This post was written by Paul Melia of the Irish Independent.   Energy-efficiency measures add 10pc to home value Homeowners have added almost 10pc to the value of their homes by investing in … Continue reading Impact of energy-efficient homes →

Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK

Ian Johnston of The Independent reports on a recent study that surveyed indoor temperature has risen almost 14 % since the 1970s, with an actual decrease in average household consumption. Many from other EU countries will be surprised that the average temperature is now 17.7 degrees C. Furthermore, more than a third of people keep … Continue reading Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK →

US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation

EiD has had many posts concerning the role and activities of energy companies, including, as we see in Europe, certain obligations to promote energy efficiency.  Jim Malewitz writes in the New York Times about the efforts of utilities in many states to change the business model from an “energy only” market to a “capacity” model.  … Continue reading US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation →

What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient?

The Boston-based reporter, Martin LaMonica, writes an excellent article on how new “smart” products are changing how we use appliances in our homes.  There are environmental benefits but they are not always immediate.  LaMonica concludes that, whether a smart home is an energy-efficient home has more to do with the owner than the technology. It … Continue reading What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient? →

The European Commission in the news

This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings.  The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news →

The rewards for small businesses that save energy are undeniably great

Recently, the Guardian held a seminar to discuss the methods by which small businesses can improve their bottom line through energy efficiency.  After reading this, EiD wished it had been there but thankfully Matthew Jenkin wrote an excellent account of the event. Small businesses strive to be lean and green UK SMEs have much to … Continue reading The rewards for small businesses that save energy are undeniably great →