For last week’s World Energy Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Nicholas Stern, the economist and academic and author of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change, was asked several questions related to energy and climate policy by the UK’s Independent. The Big Questions: Is fracking the answer to the UK’s energy needs? … Continue reading Nicholas Stern answers . . .
US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation
EiD has had many posts concerning the role and activities of energy companies, including, as we see in Europe, certain obligations to promote energy efficiency. Jim Malewitz writes in the New York Times about the efforts of utilities in many states to change the business model from an “energy only” market to a “capacity” model. … Continue reading US utilities pushing for changing role of energy conservation
The winds of change
Definitely, offshore wind farms are increasingly appearing in the US. Interestingly, according to Diane Cardwell from the New York Times, companies from Europe are taking a dominant role. U.S. Offshore Wind Farm, Made in Europe Carl Horstmann strode around the floor of his factory here, passing welders honing head-high metal tubes as sparks flew. … Continue reading The winds of change
What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient?
The Boston-based reporter, Martin LaMonica, writes an excellent article on how new “smart” products are changing how we use appliances in our homes. There are environmental benefits but they are not always immediate. LaMonica concludes that, whether a smart home is an energy-efficient home has more to do with the owner than the technology. It … Continue reading What will it take to make consumers more energy efficient?
Quotes of the week
In his eceee column reacting to the Commission’s 2030 climate and energy policy framework, presented on January 22nd, Hans Nilsson provides us with a quote within a quote: . . . it is worth being reminded of the words of the Danish professor Noergaard when he said that “it might not be cost-effective to save … Continue reading Quotes of the week
The European Commission in the news
This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news
Staying connected
Why not use a fuel cell to help us phone? Ian Griffin writes in the Leicester Mercury from the UK about a company in Loughborough that is using hydrogen fuel cells for mobile telecoms towers in India. Let’s hope it works. Intelligent Energy, of Loughborough, provides hydrogen-powered phone calls First it was cars and … Continue reading Staying connected
The rewards for small businesses that save energy are undeniably great
Recently, the Guardian held a seminar to discuss the methods by which small businesses can improve their bottom line through energy efficiency. After reading this, EiD wished it had been there but thankfully Matthew Jenkin wrote an excellent account of the event. Small businesses strive to be lean and green UK SMEs have much to … Continue reading The rewards for small businesses that save energy are undeniably great
Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint
Jennifer Paterson writes in employeebenefits.com about the programme that Swiss Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurance companies, has to promote energy efficiency amongst its staff. EiD thinks a lot of other companies should be paying attention to this. Swiss Re extends incentives for energy efficiency Swiss Re has extended its financial support for employees … Continue reading Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint
Having a sober look at the impact of energy efficiency measures
Understanding the true energy savings from investing in energy-efficient roducts has been an on-going problem for analysts and policy makers. Patrick Collinson writes in the Guardian about the UK’s Energy Saving Trust downgrading of claims for savings on new boilers and loft insulation. It will be good to hear of other efforts to find out … Continue reading Having a sober look at the impact of energy efficiency measures
