Category: energy policy

Brazil sees bright future for energy efficiency projects

Bloomberg news service describes the dynamic situation in Brazil for energy-efficiency services provided by energy supply companies. Light Sees Demand Doubling for Brazil Energy-Efficiency Projects The Brazilian power utility, Light SA, expects demand for its energy-efficiency services to double next year as electricity prices rise and more supermalls and factories seek to conserve power. Light … Continue reading Brazil sees bright future for energy efficiency projects →

Continuing the discussion on the Indian blackout

Radhika Khosla, a staff scientist for the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), continues the discussion on the aftermath of the recent major blackout in India.  Here Ms Khosla, together with Amir Kavousian, a NRDC MAP Fellow, discuss the significant potential for improved energy efficiency.  This post was on the NRDC’s staff blog entitled Switchboard. Power … Continue reading Continuing the discussion on the Indian blackout →

Don’t count your chickens . . .

Many member states have been planning to use revenue from the planned auction of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).  The UK journal, Energy in Buildings and Industry, reports that introducing a floor price for the scheme risks being seen as a carbon tax.  This was the view of the Director General of … Continue reading Don’t count your chickens . . . →

Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies

This is a good report on updated estimates of global fossil fuel subsidies that was produced by Oil Change International, a research, communication, and advocacy organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating the coming transition towards clean energy.  The report highlights that, while there has been progress, there is definitely … Continue reading Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies →

Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage

This new book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes a different approach than the normal technical review.  This book will therefore be of interest to anyone who is engaged with the study of energy technologies, carbon reduction and climate change policy more widely, and concerned with questions about the political, policy and social context … Continue reading Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage →

Effect of procurement training on energy savings in small and medium-sized enterprises

Energy in Buildings & Industry, a UK monthly magazine, features in its June issue a report by the electricity company npower that shows that UK businesses are missing out on significant energy savings by not having trained staff in place to procure energy.  The average SME spends about €225,000 per year.  The report said that … Continue reading Effect of procurement training on energy savings in small and medium-sized enterprises →

Germany’s energy revolution hits potholes

We can expect more of this type of article as Germany implements its decision to completely phase out nuclear energy.  No one said it would be easy and it won’t.  But hopefully the drive and determination of the Germans will inspire others.  There are lessons for all of us.   Germany’s Energy Revolution Hits Potholes … Continue reading Germany’s energy revolution hits potholes →

CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation

This is a valuable article by Matthew Ulterino, an independent consultant from London and a colleague of EiD.  This is an excerpt from his article in Energy and Environment, Volume 23 No. 2&3, 2012.  This is a debate that is going to continue for some time.   Carbon Capture and Storage: Sitting on the Wrong … Continue reading CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation →

Reports from the European Environment Agency

The European Environment Agency has come out with a couple of very interesting and important reports recently.   * Do we live in a 'green economy'? New report assesses progress in Europe Despite progress in some areas, Europe must do more to create the 'green economy' needed for the continent to become sustainable, according to … Continue reading Reports from the European Environment Agency →