Analysts and policymakers are struggling to find a way to improve the long-term financing of small and medium-sized enterprises. This goes beyond energy efficiency and the problem is simply crippling many companies. James Fontanella-Khan reports in the Financial Times that are hopefully on the way within the EU to bring these reforms forward. Brussels … Continue reading Efforts underway in EU to increase lending to SMEs
Figure of the week – £31.78
The Independent newspaper reported this week that UK Fuel Poverty Monitor from the charities National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland reveals that in Wales and Scotland £31.78 of Government funding is available per domestic electricity consumer to improve domestic energy efficiency. But in England the figure falls to just £3.52. The fuel poverty report … Continue reading Figure of the week – £31.78
Assessing the cost of energy efficiency programmes
CleanTechnica provides an important article on a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on energy efficiency costs. This is reputed to be the most comprehensive study to date and it is definitely needed both in America and beyond. US Energy Efficiency Programs Cost 2 Cents Per Kilowatt-Hour Saved America’s most comprehensive study of energy … Continue reading Assessing the cost of energy efficiency programmes
More on the impact of renewables on electric utilities
I’m not sure we can hear enough about how the electricity sector is affected by the low-carbon energy transition underway. Matt McFarland writes in the Washington Post about the good news and the bad news. Grid parity: Why electric utilities should struggle to sleep at night What’s good news for those concerned with climate … Continue reading More on the impact of renewables on electric utilities
Update on Romanian renewable energy situation
Following last week’s post on the green certificates allocated in Romania, Balkans.com Business News reports that Romania has already passed its 2020 target set through the European Union. Romania overshoots target for renewable energy The share of electricity produced through renewable sources reached a level of 41 percent in 2013, overshooting the target of … Continue reading Update on Romanian renewable energy situation
New EIB support for energy efficiency in SMEs for newest EU member
New Energy World Network reports that the European Investment Bank is providing two loans to finance energy efficiency measures in industry. These are for both small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger companies with “middle capitalisation.” EIB issues €400m in loans for energy efficiency projects in Croatia The European Investment Bank (EIB) has … Continue reading New EIB support for energy efficiency in SMEs for newest EU member
Shale gas: four myths and a truth
E3G, the independent, non-profit organisation operating in the public interest to accelerate the global transition to sustainable development, has produced an important briefing note and infographic on shale gas. Some argue that the solution to rising energy prices and energy security concerns lies not in cutting demand for energy imports by improving energy efficiency whilst … Continue reading Shale gas: four myths and a truth
Renewable energy and the “old-guard” utilities
Renewable energy is not going away and in the US it is estimated that its market share could more than double between now and 2025. John Watling writes for The FInancialist, a digital magazine of Credit Suisse, about the increasing competitiveness of renewable energy and how it will affect the traditional electricity producers. He argues … Continue reading Renewable energy and the “old-guard” utilities
Linking behavioural economics and energy efficiency
Tim Harford writes a weekly column called the Undercover Economist for the Financial Times. He has recently written on behavioural economics and gives a good account of the views of Daniel Kahneman, the winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2002. In my circle of colleagues, Kahneman is often referred to and there is … Continue reading Linking behavioural economics and energy efficiency
Guaranteeing energy savings in Canada
According to BusinessWire, Canada has now its first warranty programme that removes the concerns about the initial costs for the building owner. This is an important innovation and it would be good to know of other such schemes in Europe or beyond. Energi Develops First Canadian Energy Savings Warranty Energi, a leading provider of … Continue reading Guaranteeing energy savings in Canada
