Comments on the IEA’s World Energy Outlook

This year’s World Energy Outlook (WEO) from the International Energy Agency provides a stark warning that the global energy system is in danger of falling short of the hopes and expectations placed upon it. It does add that advances in technology and efficiency give some reasons for optimism, but sustained political efforts will be essential … Continue reading Comments on the IEA’s World Energy Outlook →

Understanding why China committed to renewable energy

Everyone praised the landmark agreement between the US and China on addressing GHG emissions. Kiley Kroh wrote on the Climateprogress website about China realising that business as usual could not be the way forward.   China’s Gigantic New Commitment To Renewable Energy, Explained Late Tuesday night, the U.S. and China announced an historic agreement to … Continue reading Understanding why China committed to renewable energy →

India shows its commitment to energy efficiency

Last week G20 members endorsed the G20 Energy Efficiency Action Plan. While being a voluntary initiative, it should raise the profile of energy efficiency globally. Urmi Goswami writes in the Economic Times that India has welcomed the initiative. This is important because it shows India’s commitment to both improved energy efficiency and addressing climate change. … Continue reading India shows its commitment to energy efficiency →

From iPod to smart household appliances

Shane Hickey writes in The Guardian about a former Apple employee, who led the team that developed the iPod, and his interest in designing many of the latest ecological and technical devices found in new homes. Tony Fadell at California-based Nest has been smartening up once-dull household appliances to save households time and money.   … Continue reading From iPod to smart household appliances →

Energy efficiency seen as a priority for Class B office buildings in New York City

One seldom hears about Class B buildings but cities have many of them. C. J. Hughes writes a good article in the New York Times about the efforts underway to ensure that their energy performance is improved. This is a good initiative that hopefully will be replicated elsewhere.   Manhattan’s Second-Tier Office Buildings Make Energy … Continue reading Energy efficiency seen as a priority for Class B office buildings in New York City →

The deadly effects of fuel poverty in the UK

Simon Read writes a sobering article in The Independent that each winter, one older person dies every seven minutes from cold weather. Even with a fuel poverty strategy that includes a winter fuel allowance, we are still seeing an impact that is surely unacceptable.   Fuel poverty crisis leave one in three pensioners in turmoil … Continue reading The deadly effects of fuel poverty in the UK →

Energy-efficient technologies need good installation to ensure potential impact is achieved

Mark Bello writes a good article on the Phys.org website about the importance of proper installation. Unfortunately, the majority of air-conditioning equipment evaluated in the field in the US performed below rated energy-efficiency levels due to one or more installation faults.   Energy efficiency of HVAC equipment suffers due to poor installation The push for … Continue reading Energy-efficient technologies need good installation to ensure potential impact is achieved →

Britain is moving forward on shale gas

Recently Stanley Reed wrote in the New York Times about the recent developments in Britain’s effort to exploit its shale gas reserves. Britain is certainly moving forward in shale gas and expanding nuclear energy. There are certainly many who are not convinced this is the right way forward but the government certainly seems determined that … Continue reading Britain is moving forward on shale gas →

Impact of current oil prices on renewable energy developments

Lower fossil fuel prices have historically thrashed solar, wind and biomass markets. Garrett Hering writes in The Guardian about why so many clean energy companies are unconcerned about the current trend.   What plummeting oil prices mean for renewable energy The price of west Texas crude oil last week traded below $80 per barrel on … Continue reading Impact of current oil prices on renewable energy developments →