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 →

Renewables deliver even as India’s grid collapses

This week, we have all read about the catastrophic blackouts in India, with over 600 million people left without electricity. Energy Matters from Australia takes a different look at this terrible event. India's Massive Blackout Proves Solar Energy's Mettle In what has been described as the world's largest blackout event, solar panels again proved … Continue reading Renewables deliver even as India’s grid collapses →

Good results from Dutch investment tax

Ulrika Lomas of Tax-News.com presents some important results showing that an Energy Investment Allowance has had a significant impact on investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Netherlands. Dutch Investment Tax Boosts Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency The Dutch ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation has recently announced that the government’s tax … Continue reading Good results from Dutch investment tax →

Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure

Undoubtedly, Spain is going through hard times during this economic crisis. Now the government has decided that it can no longer leave the renewable industry alone. Gone are the lucrative subsidies that built the industry. Now, renewables is being called upon to help dig Spain out of the austerity morass, as described in the following … Continue reading Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure →

Canada is less energy-efficient than . . .

The survey from the American Council for an Energy-efficient Economy on how the top 12 economies are doing on energy efficiency has thrown the Canadians into a tizzy since it is doing even worse than its neighbour, the United States as well as China. This article by Mitch Potter of the Toronto Star explains the … Continue reading Canada is less energy-efficient than . . . →

Number of the week – 7.5

The UK’s government's environment policy to kickstart a massive overhaul of the UK's draughty homes to save energy passed the final hurdle to become law on July 2nd amid growing concern that the scheme has become too costly to succeed. It was revealed that the borrowing rate would be 7.5% over a compulsory term of … Continue reading Number of the week – 7.5 →

Quote of the week – We are all Japanese

On July 10th, Gerald Curtis, a professor at Columbia University wrote a commentary in the Financial Times about the Fukushima disaster. He refers to a recent Fukushima commission report that assessed the factors leading to the tragedy. His last paragraph reads: The Fukushima commission report ‘found an organization-driven mindset that prioritized benefits to the organization … Continue reading Quote of the week – We are all Japanese →

Saving energy and enjoying a summer pint of beer

As EiD readers planning to head for the pub during these summer days will be pleased to learn that many local pubs are taking action to save energy. Defra promises drinkers the UK’s first energy-saving pint By BusinessGreen 09 Jul 2012 Drinkers could soon be supping on a more sustainable pint thanks to new … Continue reading Saving energy and enjoying a summer pint of beer →

What a carbon tax offers to Australians

Australia has taken a bold step forward by approving a carbon tax. This is an insightful article from the Canberra Times on the opportunities such a tax brings. Carbon tax a chance to rethink our energy use July 1, 2012 Canberra Times Many Australian families will wake up this morning with a sense of uncertainty … Continue reading What a carbon tax offers to Australians →

Feed-in tariffs and German policy

Everyone in Europe is watching Germany so carefully because it has taken a bold stance to decarbonise its economy while at the same time phasing out nuclear and endorsing its commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency. This article from Renewable Energy Focus provides some insight into the “politics” of trying to achieve all these … Continue reading Feed-in tariffs and German policy →