Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place

It is never easy to determine the market value of a home that has had improvements on its energy performance, as explained by Chris Mooney in the Washington Post.   Here’s how to get real estate markets to properly value green homes From installing rooftop solar panels to putting in new triple pane windows and … Continue reading Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place →

Germany’s energy transition and the role of coal

Nick Butler has an excellent blog in the Financial Times about the policy conflicts in Germany in its transition to adopt truly green policies.   The burning issue of German coal The conflict at the heart of Germany’s energy policy is finally coming to a head. Can Germany claim to be an environmental leader while … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition and the role of coal →

New discussion paper on discount rates

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) commissioned Fraunhofer ISI to investigate the current use of discount rates in energy efficiency policy modelling, with a specific focus put on the building sector. Discount rates are paramount to assess the costs and long-term benefits of different policy scenarios. In any policy discussion in the European Union, there … Continue reading New discussion paper on discount rates →

Ensuring more reliable power from renewable energy

India TV News explains about a new joint India-UK project that combines the best of solar power, biomass energy and hydrogen to ensure more reliable power.   New renewable energy model combines solar, bio-gas and H2 To provide 24x7 uninterrupted power from renewable energy sources, experts from the UK and IITs are now working together … Continue reading Ensuring more reliable power from renewable energy →

New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential

Dawn Killough writes a good article on the Planetsave website about a new tool that can gather information about building interiors – the design and exact measurements of a building and that can be carried in a backpack. The tool creates a model of an existing space or building, and also captures existing conditions, creating … Continue reading New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential →

Plans for community-owned solar panels on buildings

ClickGreen provides an interesting article on the recent developments in Edinburgh for a partnership to create a community-owned renewable energy project. Will this be the way of the future?   Edinburgh plans for UK's largest community renewable energy project Edinburgh Council has revealed plans to install community-owned solar panels on buildings across the Scottish capital. … Continue reading Plans for community-owned solar panels on buildings →

Short briefs on small and medium-sized companies

This week there were two good articles on SMEs and energy efficiency in the UK. The first is by Ben Lobel for the smallbusiness website. The second is by Lucinda Borrell for the smeweb website in the UK.   • SMEs mindful of environment in energy efficiency drive Small businesses are placing the environment on … Continue reading Short briefs on small and medium-sized companies →

Green Innovation Index ranks China in top ten

The eturbonews website gives a good account of the state of progress in green innovation amongst the largest GHG emitting countries. While the focus is on China it shows the progress globally.   China in top ten in renewable energy generation and clean tech In advance of the historic United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) … Continue reading Green Innovation Index ranks China in top ten →

Larger wind turbines being deployed in US

Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about how costs for wind technology have dropped significantly thus increasing the potential benefits. To take advantage of the growing potential, the size of wind turbines in the US is increasing.   Wind turbines are huge, but they’re about to get way, way bigger In … Continue reading Larger wind turbines being deployed in US →