Americans are concerned about Europe’s dependence on Russian gas and are as anxious as Europeans on developments related to the Ukraine crisis. Clifford Krauss writes in the New York Times about the effort being made to speed up exports to Europe but, with the infrastructure needed, this has to be looked at as a more … Continue reading Even with a push, energy policy often cannot be rushed
The gloves are off in arguing for Scottish independence
In September, Scots will be voting on whether they will become an independent state. The debate, not surprisingly, is heating up. While Scotland has benefited from offshore oil and gas, the Scottish government sees its future in a green energy revolution. Scot MacNab writes in The Scotsman about whether or not independence will be a … Continue reading The gloves are off in arguing for Scottish independence
How Crimea affects Europe’s energy strategy
Stephen Stec and Alexios Antypas from the Central European University in Budapest write an excellent article in The Guardian on how Europe’s energy strategy must evolve. As they argue, the role of climate and energy policy in the 'long game' that will play out between Russia and the west has been overlooked. What is missing … Continue reading How Crimea affects Europe’s energy strategy
He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house price down . .
Siting wind turbines has been controversial in many countries. Patrick Collinson writes in The Guardian about new analysis that shows that windfarms can seriously affect the price of houses. This disputes the findings of a previous study. Many feel that this will fan homeowners' demands for compensation when windfarms are approved Windfarms can reduce house … Continue reading He huffed and he puffed and he blew the house price down . .
Setting a model for other countries to follow
FOCUS Information Agency in Bulgaria writes about an interview that Terry McCallion, Director for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, at the EBRD gave on the success from the financing facility that was established in the country. Bulgaria’s success in energy efficiency lending is a model for other countries In an interview for Utilities monthly, … Continue reading Setting a model for other countries to follow
Saving energy can be big business
Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about the initial public offering on Wall Street for Opower, which helps utilities develop services to encourage residential consumers to cut electricity use. While American, Opower has also been working in Europe for several years. Importantly, policy makers have to take note that, as quoted in this … Continue reading Saving energy can be big business
Some potentially good news coming out of Canada
Ever since Canada dropped out of the Kyoto Protocol and based its economic future on the tar sands, there has been little good news on its efforts to address climate change and sustainable development in general. A ray of hope comes from Marc Gunther writing in the Guardian about the role that oil producers may … Continue reading Some potentially good news coming out of Canada
New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations
The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a globally organised and regionally focused organisation whose mission is to provide policy expertise and technical assistance to advance building energy performance and realise sustainable built environments for all. This week, the GBPN launched a new interactive Policy Tool for Renovation. The tool compares and analyses twelve best … Continue reading New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations
Saving energy in this digital world
Utilityproducts.com describes a new app for the iPad in the US that makes it easier for small businesses to participate in utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs. Undoubtedly, SMEs have been one of the sectors that have puzzled analysts because of the range of barriers stopping the energy efficiency potential from being achieved. Maybe these new approaches … Continue reading Saving energy in this digital world
If it heats up, we want to cool off
David Unger writes in the Christian Science Monitor about warming climates and rising incomes leading to a surge in cooling-related energy use, according to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It's one of several ways global warming is set to alter global energy supply and demand. IPCC global warming report: why … Continue reading If it heats up, we want to cool off
