Politeness vs. Planet: The Surprising Cost of Thanking ChatGPT

The Energy Changemakers newsletter provides an interesting article on how to save energy through less politeness. To find out more, please click on the link. Rudeness as an energy efficiency measure Behavioral energy efficiency — getting people to change the way they act to save energy — is not a new concept. But AI … Continue reading Politeness vs. Planet: The Surprising Cost of Thanking ChatGPT →

US EPA plans to shut down the Energy Star Program

Employees at the Environmental Protection Agency were told that the popular energy efficiency certification program would be “de-prioritized and eliminated,” according to documents and a recording. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) issued the following statement from its executive director, Steven Nadel: “If you wanted to raise families’ energy bills, getting rid of … Continue reading US EPA plans to shut down the Energy Star Program →

Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025

What a way to start the week. Shortly after noon on Monday April 28th, Spain’s electricity grid suddenly and unexpectedly lost 15 GW of power—equivalent to 60% of its national demand. The massive drop caused most of the country’s electricity system to shut down, followed by much of neighbouring Portugal’s. There has been much comment … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025 →

New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency

It makes more sense for your wallet and the climate to continue using and repairing older household appliances. This is according to a study commissioned by the German Federal Environment Agency. Stefan Krempl discusses the findings of the report in an article on the heise online website. Energy efficiency: buying new household appliances is … Continue reading New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency →

Energy in Demand News, April 27-28, 2025

This is the week that many of the world’s institutions received a lecture from the new US administration on changes that should be made. The Financial Times reports: “US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has accused the IMF and World Bank of “mission creep”, calling for them to step back from “their sprawling and unfocused agendas” … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 27-28, 2025 →

Hydro-Québec is launching a new $10 billion plan this week to help Quebecers save electricity

Hélène Baril writes on the La Presse website about the new energy efficiency drive led by Hydro-Québec, the provincial utility. The plan includes free smart thermostats for residential customers but there are also measures for commercial and industrial customers. Free smart thermostats for everyone The plan, presented as the most ambitious in Hydro-Québec's history, … Continue reading Hydro-Québec is launching a new $10 billion plan this week to help Quebecers save electricity →

Revisiting the benefits of appliance efficiency standards

David J. Vogel, Professor Emeritus of Business Ethics and Political Science, University of California, Berkeley explains why energy efficiency standards for appliances are important in an article on The Conversation website. Interestingly, the first appliance standards were issued over 50 years ago in California and yet, with all the benefits that have been derived from … Continue reading Revisiting the benefits of appliance efficiency standards →

Large-scale renovation projects prioritising circular materials and energy efficiency must become the norm

In an article on the Circular website, Fabrizio Leonforte, Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano, explains how RE-SKIN is using circular renovations to improve energy efficiency in the built environment. How to tackle energy inefficiency through circular renovations Our buildings need a serious upgrade to keep up with our changing planet. Winters are colder, … Continue reading Large-scale renovation projects prioritising circular materials and energy efficiency must become the norm →

Energy in Demand News, April 20-21, 2025

What on earth is going on? The Financial Times reports: “US philanthropies and non-profits groups focused on climate change fear that a potential loss of their tax-free status under the Trump administration could imperil their programmes. Concerns have grown that the Trump administration is drafting an executive order on the eve of so-called Earth day … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 20-21, 2025 →

New insights from US utility programme leaders on disruption and opportunity

Justin Mackovyak writes on the ICF website about a new survey it has undertaken that provides insights on the current state of utility programmes and offers actionable recommendations to help ensure programmes are both flexible and predictable in the face of disruption. Are these results of global significance? New survey: Utility leaders prioritize energy … Continue reading New insights from US utility programme leaders on disruption and opportunity →