Category: EU policies

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 →

Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist

Palko Karasz writes in the New York Times about the correction that the country is having to take after the massive expansion of renewable energy in recent years.   Romania Changes Course on Renewable Energy With more wind turbines already built than any of its neighbors, Romania has gained a reputation as a prime location … Continue reading Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist →

Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee

On May 21st, the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy published a discussion paper entitled “European competitiveness and energy efficiency: Focusing on the real issue”.  So, what is the real issue? Everyone is worried about the price of energy and that Europeans are paying so much more than in most other regions of the … Continue reading Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee →

Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency

Mat Hope wrote for Carbon Brief about some of the difficulties that energy supply companies are having to meet their obligations. The costs to consumers could be higher than initially estimated.  This has important lessons for all of Europe as they start to develop and implement their own obligation schemes.  This blog follows an article … Continue reading Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency →

Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia

Amending the renewable energy support scheme has caused much ruckus and opinion differences in Estonia over government’s plans to retroactively amend the support scheme while not respecting previous agreements, writes Mikk Põld, attorney of TRINITI, pan-Baltic cross-border alliance of law firms, in the Baltic Business News.   Renewable energy support – Estonian government’s stumbling stone … Continue reading Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia →

Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland

Malcolm Cannon of ESPC.com in Scotland writes in the Guardian about the impact that EPCs are having on the Scottish housing market.   Energy performance certificates won't change human behaviour Scottish government plans to improve energy efficiency can't prevent buyers placing more space above green credentials In late January, the Scottish government published a draft … Continue reading Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland →

H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world

It is an important step when technologies move along the deployment continuum.  Many remain in the research world, struggling to find their place in the market place.  When I started in energy policy, there was always discussion about hydrogen and its potential to be a major form of sustainable energy.  We are still waiting. This … Continue reading H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world →

New report on whether changing behaviour can save energy

The European Environment Agency (EEA) recently published a report that investigates what it takes to achieve energy savings through changing consumer behaviour and launches an online survey to know more about society's views on the topic.The EEA report, Achieving energy efficiency through behaviour change: what does it take? reviews recent studies on behaviour change and … Continue reading New report on whether changing behaviour can save energy →