Category: national policies

The US Army marches forward with energy efficiency

There are two very good articles on what is going on in the US army to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. We are always saying the public sector is to lead by example.  Well, here are good examples from the US Army. Behavioral changes key to Army energy efficiency By J.D. Leipold, Army News … Continue reading The US Army marches forward with energy efficiency →

Developments in Canadian energy policy

Much is written about Canada’s emphasis on tar sands (and fossil fuels in general) development but there are growing concerns in Canada that other countries are moving ahead in the “mega trend” towards clean energy and a low-carbon economy.  This article from Mike De Souza, in the Montreal Gazette, gives the non-Canadian reader a good … Continue reading Developments in Canadian energy policy →

Commercial sector in UK missed in promoting energy efficiency

The news agency, Reuters, has recently published a column by Gerard Wynn on how the UK’s energy efficiency strategy has by-passed the commercial sector – a sector with significant potential for electricity savings. UK efficiency drive skips commercial sector Britain is missing a huge potential for electricity savings by companies as the government focuses on … Continue reading Commercial sector in UK missed in promoting energy efficiency →

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 →

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 . . . →