There have been responses to the EiD discussion paper published last week, most of them directly by email. The number of downloads of the report and the responses to the related tweets were most encouraging. There is a great concern about implementation and many mention the number of infringement procedures underway that indicate the level … Continue reading Update on last week’s post on the need for more focus on implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive
This week’s briefs
There are some very interesting developments this week, together with some excellent publications. • European Council and energy efficiency Energy efficiency was a hot topic when heads of government met in Brussels this week. The Coalition for Energy Savings writes that the Council has asked the Commission to do its homework: “Following their first debate … Continue reading This week’s briefs
Quote of the week
This week the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the UK, George Osborne, presented this year’s budget. Here is a startling quote from his speech in the House of Commons: We need to cut our energy costs. We’re going to do this by investing in new sources of energy: new nuclear power, renewables, and a shale … Continue reading Quote of the week
Environmental policy can drone on . . .
We’ve been reading for months about the spying going on that affects us as we use our computers and carry on our daily life. As Jennifer Duggan writes in the Guardian, China is resorting to the use of drones to spy on environmental breaches. While we are looking for ways to improve compliance of our … Continue reading Environmental policy can drone on . . .
Update on renewable energy support in Romania
Romania-Insider.com writes about the issuing of green certificates in 2013 in Romania. This has to be seen in the context of the government cutting incentives in 2013. Romanian electricity distributor Transelectrica issues 10 mln green certificates for renewable energy producers in 2013 Romanian state – owned electricity distribution company Transelectrica issued 10.1 million green … Continue reading Update on renewable energy support in Romania
When should state aid be allowed?
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
