Powering train networks through renewable energy

Leo Murray writes in The Guardian how electric trains are by far the best long distance transport mode when it comes to carbon emissions – at least when their electricity comes from renewable sources like solar or wind.   Solar-powered trains are closer to reality than we might think How can we connect solar photovoltaics … Continue reading Powering train networks through renewable energy

Building Britain’s Houses of Parliament led to speed up of environmental laws

A 19th century fire led to the re-construction of the iconic Palace of Westminster. Timothy Hyde, Associate Professor of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology writes on The Conversation website about how the quality of the air led to a quick decay of the building materials before it was even complete. This led to … Continue reading Building Britain’s Houses of Parliament led to speed up of environmental laws

Ensuring landlords are ready to meet their energy efficiency obligations in the UK

EiD is always interested in finding articles on sustainable energy from smaller newspapers. How they convey messages to their readership is very important. Mike Bridgen writes on the Darlington and Stockton Times website about the upcoming obligation for landlords to ensure their properties meet a minimum energy performance requirement by April 2018.   Changes on … Continue reading Ensuring landlords are ready to meet their energy efficiency obligations in the UK

Demonstrating the variation in economic value across energy efficiency investments

We are always looking for solid analysis related to energy efficiency. Judson Boomhower, Postdoctoral scholar, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and Lucas Davis, Associate Professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley have written an important column the VoxEU.org website about their recent work. Electricity prices can vary dramatically … Continue reading Demonstrating the variation in economic value across energy efficiency investments

New report on benefits of ending fossil fuel subsidies

To ensure the low-carbon energy transition it is necessary to address the use of subsidies for fossil fuels. A new study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Global Subsidies Initiative and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) provides a comprehensive assessment of the adverse impact of such subsidies.   Ending Fossil Fuel Production Subsidies … Continue reading New report on benefits of ending fossil fuel subsidies

Advances in a new low-cost, high-performance battery

We are always interested in seeing new innovations. A news item on the Xinhuanet website explains about a new storage battery developed at Stanford University that uses urea, commonly found in fertilizers and mammal urine. "With this battery, the dream is for solar energy to be stored in every building and every home," Professor Dai … Continue reading Advances in a new low-cost, high-performance battery

Understanding the dynamics in Britain’s energy consumption

Without really paying attention, many simply expect energy consumption to continue to grow. However, the energy transition truly is underway and it has for quite a while now. In an article for the February 2017 issue of Energy in Buildings and Industry, Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, explains his party trick … Continue reading Understanding the dynamics in Britain’s energy consumption

Improving energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing processes

A new US-funded consortium will enable Yale researchers to build upon years of research into the lifecycles of metals and other resources — and to work with a wide range of partners from academia, industry, and government. Kevin Dennehy explains latest developments on the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies website.   Yale to … Continue reading Improving energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing processes

Important vacancies in energy efficiency

There are some important vacancies in energy efficiency. • UNEP Finance Initiative Energy Efficiency Finance Consultant – apply by February 16th UNEP FI is looking for a Energy Efficiency Finance Consultant, to be based in Paris. The overall objective of this assignment is to assist UN Environment and its Finance Initiative in the productive policy/finance … Continue reading Important vacancies in energy efficiency

Any energy policy shifts in US should reflect the benefits from past regulations

With the Trump administration determined to radically shift away from the regulatory approach that has been taken, Joseph Aldy, Associate Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, writes on The Conversation website about the benefits that have come from regulations.   What Trump misses about regulations: They produce benefits as well as costs President Trump … Continue reading Any energy policy shifts in US should reflect the benefits from past regulations