While the British government states energy efficiency remains a priority, cuts to important policy measures show the stark reality. Damian Carrington writes an excellent article in The Guardian about recent research by the Association for the Conservation of Energy showing that the number of UK households being helped by government to improve their energy use … Continue reading Impact of massive cuts to UK’s energy efficiency strategy
New UK fund to promote improved energy performance of commercial buildings
We are all concerned about finding adequate financing for energy efficiency projects. Priyanka Shrestha writes on the Energy Live News website about a new fund established by a commercial bank in the UK to support energy performance improvements. This is a welcome development. Lloyds Bank launches £1bn energy efficiency fund A new £1 billion … Continue reading New UK fund to promote improved energy performance of commercial buildings
Will policymakers and utilities help low-income customers take advantage of sustainable energy opportunities in California?
While California has done much in the past 40 years to promote sustainable energy, there are now questions about what is next. Wayne Waite, policy director for the California Housing Partnership, and Lewis Milford, president of Clean Energy Group, write a detailed article in the GreenTech Media website about latest developments. Efficiency, Solar and … Continue reading Will policymakers and utilities help low-income customers take advantage of sustainable energy opportunities in California?
Increasing the security of smart meters
The European Union has a policy for a major roll out of smart meters. There has been controversy about the costs and whether these meters will actually lead to important energy savings. However, there is also a security concern explained by Pilita Clark and Sam Jones in the Financial Times. Fortunately, Britain’s intelligence agency has … Continue reading Increasing the security of smart meters
Important new report on renewables from European Environment Agency
The EEA has recently published an important report on the benefits we are deriving from renewables. Renewables increasingly curbing reliance on fossil fuels The use of fossil fuels across the European Union continues to decline due in part to increased consumption of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass, according to a report … Continue reading Important new report on renewables from European Environment Agency
Identifying a potential opportunity to save energy – in televisions
We are always looking at novel ways to save energy. It is certainly important that we need to know more about consumers and how they use their appliances. Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post about a suggestion that power companies should create incentives for the purchase of new and highly efficient TVs among that … Continue reading Identifying a potential opportunity to save energy – in televisions
Trying to modernise a utility’s relationship with customers through promoting energy efficiency
The role of energy companies to promote energy efficiency is well understood even if it isn’t always well done. Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about an important new initiative by Con Edison to personalise services to consumers. Will it work? What do you think? Con Edison Aims to Revamp Customer Service, … Continue reading Trying to modernise a utility’s relationship with customers through promoting energy efficiency
How the micro-grid market can be supported
Onsite power generation at remote locations presents an attractive business case for many renewable energy companies but at the same time requires considerable market introduction efforts, says Dr. Thomas Hillig, in an article on the Renewable Energy Focus website. Measures to stimulate the micro-grid market In many traditional renewable energy key markets, framework conditions … Continue reading How the micro-grid market can be supported
Importance of accelerated depreciation tax benefit for renewables in India reviewed
Sharad Raghavan writes an important article on The Hindu website on the importance of financial support to help the investments flowing in renewable energy in India. The reduction in accelerated depreciation tax benefit certainly has affected the sector. There is an important question raised about why private banks are not lending to solar projects. You … Continue reading Importance of accelerated depreciation tax benefit for renewables in India reviewed
Looking at high-tech transmission lines to bring big savings
Adam Wernick writes a good post on the Public Radio International website, explaining that the larger the geographic area, the more effectively wind and solar can compete with other energy sources. This is an important message. Study shows US could convert its economy to renewable energy without battery breakthrough A new study from the … Continue reading Looking at high-tech transmission lines to bring big savings
