Comparing the US to Germany’s energy transition

Umair Irfan writes an interesting article in E&E Publishing that looks at Germany’s energy transition in comparison to what is happening in the US. Because of different consumption patterns, despite a vast gulf in energy prices, households in both Germany and the United States spend a comparable amount on electricity. It is good to see … Continue reading Comparing the US to Germany’s energy transition →

Employers starting to provide support to finance solar systems

EiD is always concerned about how we are financing sustainable energy. This is a novel approach as explained by Diane Cardwell in the New York Times that is gaining attention in the US. Why stop with renewables? Surely this could also happen for energy efficiency improvements. Home Solar Power Discounts Are Worker Perk in … Continue reading Employers starting to provide support to finance solar systems →

How renewable energy is showing its benefits in the mining sector

The SolarServer website provides a good article on how renewable energy is increasingly be considered in the mining sector, a sector not known to look favourably towards renewable energy. Renewable energy systems are up to 70 percent less expensive than diesel power at mining sites, says German consulting firm Mining companies were not traditionally … Continue reading How renewable energy is showing its benefits in the mining sector →

How crowdfunding is making its mark in investing in solar projects

Jennifer Kho provides a good article on the use of solar bonds and crowdfunding in the US. First US public offering of solar bonds: can crowdfunding take clean energy to the next level? SolarCity just changed the way clean energy projects will be financed. Will retail investors give solar a boost? The largest solar … Continue reading How crowdfunding is making its mark in investing in solar projects →

The cost competitiveness of wind power

Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian on recent EU analysis that finds that onshore wind is now cheaper than many other conventional sources of energy when external factors are calculated. Onshore windfarms far cheaper than coal and gas when health impacts are factored in, report shows Onshore wind is cheaper than coal, gas or … Continue reading The cost competitiveness of wind power →

Using innovative financing to support renewable energy

Keith Findlay writes in the Press and Journal from Aberdeen Scotland of the use of crowdfunding to raise funds for new windfarm projects. The company involved, Triodos Renewables, was set up in 1995 and is a UK company managed by Bristol-based Triodos Bank. Renewables developer launches crowdfunded share issue Green-energy firm Triodos Renewables is … Continue reading Using innovative financing to support renewable energy →

How renewable energy should be subsidised

Seldom do we think about how we should provide subsidies. Iván Martén. senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, provides three important principles in a recent Wall Street Journal blog. Three Principles for Subsidizing Renewable Energy Renewable-energy production brings extra costs to the power system that should be managed and subsidized in the most … Continue reading How renewable energy should be subsidised →

Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets

There are negotiations going on before the climate and energy targets for 2030 are decided upon last week. When you look at it graphically, it shows quite clearly where member states stand. The energy efficiency community has now to raise its voice. Only yesterday, the British energy secretary said there was room for compromise, but … Continue reading Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets →

The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit

Last week EiD described the trend to convert its iconic red phone boxes to be able to charge mobile phones. This week, we cross the channel and show what is happening to the Eiffel Tower. Kim Willsher provides an excellent article in The Observer of the changes underway. Solar panels and glass floors: it's … Continue reading The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit →

Novel way to charge our mobile phones

Zachary Davies Boren writes in the Independent about how the iconic British red phone boxes are going green – literally. London’s red phone boxes go green, are converted into solar-powered phone chargers The iconic red phone box of London has been painted green, and will act instead as a solar-powered phone charging station. The … Continue reading Novel way to charge our mobile phones →