The European Union, as almost anywhere, has to juggle many priorities at once. Obviously the EU has benefited from the internal market and that has meant a level playing field. Always vigilant, the European Commission has questioned the use of state aid for sustainable energy. Ewa Krukowska writes for Bloomberg news service about the possibility … Continue reading When should state aid be allowed?
We cannot take the air we breathe for granted
With EiD team surviving the smog crisis in Paris and now with the city enjoying the first days of spring, it is time to reflect on what we take for granted. Luce Irigaray and Michael Marder write in the Guardian that, as smog contaminates Paris, Shanghai and other world cities, we should regard pollution as … Continue reading We cannot take the air we breathe for granted
Refurbishing multi-family building to passive house standard
The ECD Architects website provides an excellent example of an ambitious renovation in the UK. Importantly, the residents wanted this standard of renovation. Wilmcote House, Portsmouth England This is the first retrofit of a British residential tower block to 'Passivhaus' standards of near-zero carbon emissions. Owned by Portsmouth City Council, the 100-dwelling, 1960s Wilmcote … Continue reading Refurbishing multi-family building to passive house standard
Making strong arguments why older homes need ambitious retrofits
Policy makers are facing important decisions on renovation strategies. In Europe, member states will soon be sending their long-term renovation strategies to the European Commission as part of the Energy Efficiency Directive. Bruce Mulliken writes in Green Energy News about a new report from the US that should give you food for thought. Deep Energy … Continue reading Making strong arguments why older homes need ambitious retrofits
Reflecting on how to finance renewable energy development
Fierce Energy provided an excellent article by Lucas Porter, Patrick Hurley and Dan Bradley of Navigant about how to make renewable energy projects more viable. This is a concern that confronts all projects regardless where they are. Hopefully you will find this useful in your related activities. Renewable energy financing One of the most prominent … Continue reading Reflecting on how to finance renewable energy development
Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings
The energy performance of buildings directive was recast in 2010 and EU member states are busy implementing it. A new EiD discussion paper by Rod Janssen considers many of the challenges facing member states in this implementation phase. It reviews the challenges in improving the energy performance of buildings as a whole: gaining and maintaining … Continue reading Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings
Quote of the week
Written Ministerial Statement by Secretary of State for Energy Ed Davey after EU Energy Council meeting, March 4th: The Council then debated the 2030 climate and energy framework. . . . The Commissioner argued that the 40% greenhouse gas target was very ambitious. The majority of Member States endorsed a greenhouse gas target of 40%. … Continue reading Quote of the week
Irish Minister criticises EU plan to phase out feed-in tariffs for mature players
Even when renewable energy technologies are considered mature, the Irish argue that there is still need for cost-effective support, according to article written by Valerie Flynn in the Irish Times. The minister makes a good argument, but will it be listened to? EU to change renewables subsidy Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte has criticised a … Continue reading Irish Minister criticises EU plan to phase out feed-in tariffs for mature players
Open consultation for the future of the Energy Company Obligation in the UK
The Department of Energy & Climate Change recently announced an open consultation on the Energy Company Obligation, which is also an obligation under the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive. This consultation closes at 16 April 2014. The proposals contained in The Future of the Energy Company Obligation consultation were highlighted as part of Government’s announcement on … Continue reading Open consultation for the future of the Energy Company Obligation in the UK
New academic paper on the rebound effect
It has been a while since EiD had a post on analysing the rebound effect. Miklós Antala and Jeroen van den Bergh will soon have a paper published in the May issue of the journal, Energy Policy, entitled “Re-spending rebound: A macro-level assessment for OECD countries and emerging economies.” Abstract It is well-known that energy … Continue reading New academic paper on the rebound effect
