Two excellent energy efficiency papers

The journal Energy Policy provides two excellent energy efficiency papers on the impact of energy labels and the possible role of how feed-in tariffs can be an option to promote energy saving. The first paper, entitled The impact of energy labels and accessibility on office rents is by Nils Kok from Maastricht University and Maarten … Continue reading Two excellent energy efficiency papers →

French town signs energy performance contract

While energy issues and environmental concerns are at the heart of local government, the town of Domène - with 6700 inhabitants located near Grenoble – embarked on a programme of renovation and improvement of energy efficiency of some of its buildings. The energy performance contract (EPC) was signed with Schneider Electric and it is the … Continue reading French town signs energy performance contract →

More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK

The Green Building Press provides this account of the impact the Green Deal could help householders who are currently considered in fuel poverty. Green refurb at flats has far reaching benefits A study undertaken at a West London estate could provide a blueprint for taking millions of UK householders out of fuel poverty, and … Continue reading More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK →

Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes

Tara Patel of Bloomberg News writes about the controversy in France about the government’s plans to “encourage” homeowners to undertake energy efficiency actions. French plan to reduce energy bills prompts Big Brother outcry Heating a French home could soon require an income tax consultation or even a visit to the doctor under legislation to force … Continue reading Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes →

Save these dates . . .

There are some excellent workshops/conferences coming up that you should consider: The next World Sustainable Energy Days conference will present the work and achievements of young researchers in the field of biomass and in the field of energy efficiency. It will be held as one of the conferences of the World Sustainable Energy Days 2013 from … Continue reading Save these dates . . . →

Are we thinking “deep”? New survey uncovers important findings

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) surveyed real estate and construction executives in the European Union, India, China and the USA commissioned by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN). 423 senior executives from the real estate and construction industries. Over half (51%) were C-level executives or above and nearly half (49%) came from organisations with more … Continue reading Are we thinking “deep”? New survey uncovers important findings →

Cost of the German transition to a non-nuclear future

Juergen Baetz of AP news service provides an important look at the costs for the phasing out of nuclear energy. The phase out is to be complete by 2022. It shows that the policy will definitely cost in the coming years, although once complete, it should ensure that Germany is on a sustainable foundation that … Continue reading Cost of the German transition to a non-nuclear future →

Energy efficiency jobs on the line

In an open letter to Energy Secretary Ed Davey, the Insulation Industry Forum, which represents 70pc of the UK’s insulation industry, warned that it is “extremely concerned about the Government’s plans for its implementation” because of the gap between the ending of the existing schemes for cavity wall and loft insulation and the Green Deal … Continue reading Energy efficiency jobs on the line →

Energy company obligations in Britain – two important papers

Energy savings obligations in the UK – a history of change: Jan Rosenow of the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford has produced a paper for a special issue of the journal Energy Policy that looks at Energy Savings Obligations in the UK. More specifically, it discusses how the policy instrument changed over time and … Continue reading Energy company obligations in Britain – two important papers →

Adding value to a home

It was reported in the Toronto Star recently that the non-profit personal finance web site GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca offers five types of renovation that add value to a home: •Investments in more efficient use of energy (60 per cent recovery rate) •New or improved kitchens and bathrooms (75-100 per cent recovery rate) •Low-cost improvements — painting, wallpaper, … Continue reading Adding value to a home →