Category: energy efficiency

Loopholes in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive

Diarmaid William writes for Power Engineering International about how the UK is trying to avoid having to implement some of the main elements of the recently approved Energy Efficiency Directive.  So far the UK has not succeeded but there are concerns that loopholes still exist and there is every chance that some EU member states … Continue reading Loopholes in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive →

Promoting energy efficiency in older buildings in Seattle

Felicity Barringer writes in the New York Times about a programme in Seattle to help improve the energy performance of older buildings through an innovative approach to sell energy savings to the local electricity company.   Making Energy Efficiency Attractive for Owners of Older Seattle Buildings A program under way at Seattle’s ambitious Bullitt Center … Continue reading Promoting energy efficiency in older buildings in Seattle →

Negawatts gains acceptability in the United Kingdom

SustainableBuilding reports that the UK government is going to include “negawatts” into their energy bill.  Negawatts is a term coined by the chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute and environmentalist Amory Lovins in 1989, who recently spoke at the eceee summer study. Government puts ‘negawatts’ in Energy Bill The Government included the ‘negawatts not … Continue reading Negawatts gains acceptability in the United Kingdom →

Unstoppable efficiency drive spurred by EU regulations and national targets poses a dilemma for utilities

Geert De Clercq and Vera Eckert write for Reuter’s news service and published by The Guardian ask an important question about whether energy utilities look for a profitable way to help consumers save energy or whether they try to defend their traditional business model.  The jury is still out but some utilities have understood it … Continue reading Unstoppable efficiency drive spurred by EU regulations and national targets poses a dilemma for utilities →

Cities in Canada also looking at sustainable energy

Larry Pynn writes in the Vancouver Sun about a new study that shows that cities would benefit by taking a sustainable energy approach.  It is good to see how cities globally are playing and increasingly important role.   Cities would benefit from national energy strategy based on renewable energy: Columbia Institute Canadian municipalities struggling with … Continue reading Cities in Canada also looking at sustainable energy →

City in Italy uses energy performance contracting to promote energy efficiency

Sadhbh Ní Hógáin writes in the Energy Collective about how the city of Modena is taking advantage of support from the EU to finance energy efficiency.  Since joining the Covenant of Mayors in 2010, Modena has been quite active, starting with the development of a sustainable energy action plan.  It will be important to watch … Continue reading City in Italy uses energy performance contracting to promote energy efficiency →