Category: renewable energy

Briefly speaking . . .

China increase in energy consumption Bloomberg News reports that China's energy use rose at the fastest pace in four years in 2011, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Consumption climbed 7 % to 3.48 billion metric tons of standard coal equivalent. That was the fastest rate since 2007, when it grew 7.8 %. However, … Continue reading Briefly speaking . . . →

IEA Energy Policy Review of Denmark

The International Energy Agency recently published a report on Danish energy policies.  The IEA in-depth review opens: “Denmark is a leader among OECD member countries in terms of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change policies.”  This is obviously a winning combination. The report sets the scene by stating that Denmark has a long history … Continue reading IEA Energy Policy Review of Denmark →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . .

In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was recast in 2010, in large part to set more ambitious goals for the energy performance of buildings. As of December 31, 2020, all new – residential and non-residential – buildings will have to be “nearly zero energy.” Nearly zero energy buildings can completely transform the buildings … Continue reading Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . . →

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 →

Légion d’Honneur

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has named Dr. Hélène Connor, founder and chairman of HELIO International, a recipient of the 2012 Légion d'Honneur in recognition of her four decades of visionary work in promoting environmental protection, sustainable energy and participatory governance. Hélène and I worked together for more than 12 years and she has been one … Continue reading Légion d’Honneur →