Focus on industrial energy efficiency

After slumbering for many years, it is back, moving up the policy agenda. Improvement of energy efficiency in industry was a focus of attention after the oil crises of the 1970s because it could be done quickly. There was a lot of progress, with a combination of monitoring (actually counting energy consumption in a factory), … Continue reading Focus on industrial energy efficiency →

IEA Energy Policy Review of Slovak Republic

In early February, the International Energy Agency published its in-depth review of Slovak energy policies with important findings on sustainable energy. The key objectives of Slovak energy policy include energy efficiency, reducing energy intensity, reducing dependence on energy imports, expanding the use of nuclear power, increasing the share of renewables and supporting the use of … Continue reading IEA Energy Policy Review of Slovak Republic →

Mesures européennes pour l’efficacité énergétique

Yes, this website is in English, but EiD wants to make you aware of a small technical report EiD’s editor, Rod Janssen did on the energy efficiency strategy in Europe. This report is now available from the Institut de l’énergie et de l’environnement de la Francophonie. It is a useful guide for anyone who needs … Continue reading Mesures européennes pour l’efficacité énergétique →

Basics of energy efficiency – a basic need?

There is quite widespread acknowledgement of the importance of improved energy efficiency; but when the economy wobbles, energy efficiency assumes secondary importance, at best. Europe is making the transition to a low carbon economy. Council has agreed to an 80-95 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 if certain international conditions are met, and energy … Continue reading Basics of energy efficiency – a basic need? →

Reliance on compliance

One six-storey building housing Canterbury Television in Christchurch, New Zealand collapsed during last year’s earthquake killing 115 people. New Zealand's department of building and housing found that the building did not meet minimum requirements, even when it was built in 1986. The report concluded that load-bearing concrete columns were reinforced with insufficient steel, making them … Continue reading Reliance on compliance →

How To Achieve A Low Carbon Society #1

There is an interesting debate in the UK at the moment concerning the role of nuclear energy in a future low-carbon society. A recently published cross-party report finds that Ministers misled parliament about the need for new nuclear plants. According to the government's own figures, "there is absolutely no need for any more nuclear power … Continue reading How To Achieve A Low Carbon Society #1 →

Thinking Global

United Nations declares UN Year of Sustainable Energy for All The United Nations has made2012 the year of Sustainable Energy for All to support three inter-linked objectives: Ensure universal access to modern energy services Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Anyone working … Continue reading Thinking Global →

Georgia on my mind

Georgia has had a new in-depth review of its energy efficiency policies and programmes published by the Energy Charter Secretariat. This review follows the one in 2006 for which I was part of the team. Georgia is a country with a lot of potential for energy efficiency improvements and some very dedicated people to make … Continue reading Georgia on my mind →

Looking past to look forward

As the year begins, and we look forward to what 2012 will bring to the progress of energy efficiency in Europe, a look back at 2011 can offer some clues. In March 2011, after endless delays, the Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP) was finally published. The Plan showed that the EU is not on track to … Continue reading Looking past to look forward →