Competition increases in battery storage sector in Australia

While we have read about individual initiatives to expand the battery storage sector, we have seldom heard about the increasing level of competition. Sophie Vorrath writes on the RenewEconomy website about how a German-Australian consortium is launching an integrated solar tile, hoping to compete head on with Tesla.   German battery giant Sonnen teams with … Continue reading Competition increases in battery storage sector in Australia →

What is happening to America’s climate and energy policies?

With the Trump administration’s budget proposals, we are seeing some dramatic cuts in agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Yes, the EU and the G7 are trying to get Trump to reverse his position on climate change but how that gets resolved is hard to know at this point. … Continue reading What is happening to America’s climate and energy policies? →

What is the impact of smart buildings?

We read regularly about new “smart” initiatives from appliances to grids to buildings to financing. Mahmoud Ayman writes on the Camping Canuck website questioning whether smart buildings are living up to their expectations. What do you think?   Are Smart Buildings Delivering on Their Promise? Buildings might move toward becoming “more brilliant,” yet that doesn’t … Continue reading What is the impact of smart buildings? →

Wales certainly active in the energy transition

It is encouraging to read the article by Adam Vaughan in The Guardian about efforts in Wales to unlock the potential for the use of renewable energy through a battery scheme.   Charging ahead: Welsh battery scheme may aid growth of green energy Nestling alongside rows of conifers and wind turbines in a Welsh valley, … Continue reading Wales certainly active in the energy transition →

India setting good example renovating state government buildings

Living in Europe, we watch how central governments are meeting their obligation to renovation a certain percentage of its buildings annually. The Times of India writes about an initiative in India to do something similar. It would be good to know of other such initiatives.   1500 state government buildings to be made energy efficient … Continue reading India setting good example renovating state government buildings →

Shipping is a major polluter and yet there are no targets to reduce emissions

The transport sector has been a particular problem in trying to reduce emissions, in large part because of its dependence on fossil fuels. Jeremy Plester provides a good article in The Guardian about the particular problems in shipping, a sector that has grown significantly because of the globalisation of our economies and because it is … Continue reading Shipping is a major polluter and yet there are no targets to reduce emissions →

Understanding how to inspire individual and collective action on climate change

While we have a Paris global agreement setting targets for climate change, it is still difficult to get individuals or societies to take effective action. John Abraham writes a good article in The Guardian about a recent study that analyses the influences on behaviour. It would be good to get your views.   Study: inspiring … Continue reading Understanding how to inspire individual and collective action on climate change →

Why we can accept much more ambition in the EU energy saving strategy

Having introduced the report in a post last week, EiD is pleased to see a recent article by the report’s author, Yamina Saheb, on the EurActiv website. Yamina shows that there will be no negative impact on EU competitiveness. Importantly, this conclusion is buried within the European Commission’s own modelling results. For those with any … Continue reading Why we can accept much more ambition in the EU energy saving strategy →

New underwriter’s guide to facilitate energy efficiency improvements in the US

After having reported on a new G20 investment toolkit last week, Lindsay Robbins writes on the Natural Resources Defense Council website about a new investment handbook to help lenders in the US. They are hoping this will be part of the standard mortgage lending process.   New Lender Guide Unlocks Potential for Efficiency Upgrades The … Continue reading New underwriter’s guide to facilitate energy efficiency improvements in the US →