Neighbourhood Watch

Public buildings are required to display an energy performance certificate, as mandated by the recast of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This is required for all buildings larger than 500 square metres. That threshold will drop to 250 square metres in 2015. The city hall of the 18th district (arrondissement) of Paris (where … Continue reading Neighbourhood Watch →

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 →

Creating jobs in the energy efficiency field – not an easy job, but worth it

Energy efficiency initiatives create jobs, and normally very good jobs. Recent analysis shows that between 17 and 19 net jobs can be created for every million euros spent. That is a million euros from all sources. And since the analysis shows that energy efficiency activities are more labour-intensive than manufacturing, decision-makers should pay close attention. … Continue reading Creating jobs in the energy efficiency field – not an easy job, but worth it →

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? →

Renewables news

The European Wind Energy Association has just published 2011 data on wind energy. Wind power capacity of 9616 MW was installed in the EU in 2011, at a value of €12.6 billion. This was down only slightly from 2010, when 9648 MW was installed. Wind power represented 21.4 % of total power capacity installations in … Continue reading Renewables news →

Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive?

From a distance, and even inside Brussels, the process to put sustainable energy policies and programmes in place can be baffling. Here is an attempt to untangle the process for the draft Energy Efficiency Directive and the many voices trying to shape its final form. The Energy Efficiency Directive was published in June 2011. The … Continue reading Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive? →

Financing energy efficiency

It is well known that most energy efficiency measures are cost-effective in meeting energy policy and climate objectives but initial costs are often a barrier for consumers. When an energy company experiences major initial costs, for example in building a thermal power plant, banks will usually provide the necessary financing. It is much different for … Continue reading Financing energy efficiency →

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 →