A four month energy challenge

This blog by Elisa Wood for RenewableEnergyWorld.com describes an innovative approach for an industrial packaging company that combines new technology with behavioural psychology. The results are quite impressive. A New Twist in the Energy Efficiency Story Blend a little new energy tech with a pinch of behavioral psychology and you’re bound to get something unexpected. … Continue reading A four month energy challenge →

Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings

Specificationonline.co.uk has recently described an EU-funded project which has developed a new technology to improve energy performance. It is funded through Framework Programme 7 and a more complete description of the entire project follows the article. Self-learning buildings will increase their energy efficiency The University of Salford is part of a Europe-wide project to … Continue reading Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings →

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 →

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind . . .

With the Olympics underway in London, there have been queries about how green these games are. James Murray writes for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network, that there are wind turbines installed. Unfortunately, there has not been much promotion of them, but they are there. Olympic Park erects wind turbines It was one … Continue reading The answer my friend is blowing in the wind . . . →

Learning from the past

This report by Matt Fulford, head of buildings at Sustain, in the Guardian, discusses what we can learn today from our heritage buildings. What can heritage buildings teach us about modern energy efficiency? Heritage buildings have, by definition, been around for a long time. With careful management, they are here to stay for hundreds … Continue reading Learning from the past →

Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage

This new book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes a different approach than the normal technical review. This book will therefore be of interest to anyone who is engaged with the study of energy technologies, carbon reduction and climate change policy more widely, and concerned with questions about the political, policy and social context … Continue reading Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage →

Feeling cool about air conditioning

While much of northern Europe is anxiously waiting for summer to really take hold, in Canada and the United States, a major heat wave has driven many to use their air conditioning to the maximum. Margaret Wente of Canada’s Globe and Mail writes here on the dilemma faced by the eco-conscious. The air conditioning … Continue reading Feeling cool about air conditioning →

LED street lighting trial in 12 of world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings

These are very important trial results on energy-efficient street lighting reported by Business Wire. LED Street Lighting Trial in 12 of World's Largest Cities Shows Up to 85% Energy Savings RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- LED (light-emitting diodes) street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85%, an independent global … Continue reading LED street lighting trial in 12 of world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings →

CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation

This is a valuable article by Matthew Ulterino, an independent consultant from London and a colleague of EiD. This is an excerpt from his article in Energy and Environment, Volume 23 No. 2&3, 2012. This is a debate that is going to continue for some time. Carbon Capture and Storage: Sitting on the Wrong … Continue reading CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation →