Can energy efficiency be easy?

Walter Frick provides a very interesting post in Cleantech and Firstfuel about the importance of making operational changes in commercial buildings.  This is important because, when it comes to buildings, too often our first reaction is to undertake a major retrofit.  Maybe there is some merit in taking a different view. What if Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Can energy efficiency be easy? →

Can buildings be power plants?

Adam Vaughan writes in the Guardian about new developments in Oxford to create colourful, transparent solar cells that are reputed to only add 10% to the cost of glass buildings. Colourful 'solar glass' means entire buildings can generate clean power A solar power company capable of "printing" colourful glass that can generate electricity from the … Continue reading Can buildings be power plants? →

Even five star hotels need help

The Middle East business intelligence website, Zawya, provides information on upgrading one of Paris’ hotel gems, the Four Seasons George V. Four Seasons George V looks to Energy Efficiency Group for Energy Efficiency advice EEG (Energy Efficiency Group), an energy services provider (an ESCO) in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, continues to … Continue reading Even five star hotels need help →

Union for Concerned Scientists push for greater energy efficiency

The Union of Concerned Scientists have reacted to the decision by Duke Energy in the US to close a nuclear power plant and its consideration to replace it with a natural gas-fired plant.  The UCS have a report that there are many more sustainable approaches that should be considered first. Report Shows Energy Efficiency and … Continue reading Union for Concerned Scientists push for greater energy efficiency →

Chinese eco-cities

Clare Pennington and Sue Lin Wong write for the Green Environment blog in the New York Times on the difficulties in China for developing eco-cities. Steep Challenges for a Chinese Eco-City Fifty years ago, during a time of food shortages, China's young socialist government singled out a few farm villages as role models for the … Continue reading Chinese eco-cities →

Let there be light – efficient light!

Several Canadian press services reported on a new energy-efficient light bulb that was developed by three graduates from the University of Toronto.  This article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shows the latest developments.   'Most energy-efficient' light bulb shines on Kickstarter     The Nanolight is essentially a circuit-board with LEDs attached to it, folded … Continue reading Let there be light – efficient light! →

Focus on BPIE

The Building Performance Institute Europe is almost three years old and has been churning out valuable material to help Europe improve the energy performance of its building stock. Frequently EiD has highlighted its publications and activities. There are a couple of important updates that EiD readers will be interested in.   ENTRANZE First, BPIE is … Continue reading Focus on BPIE →

IEA releases free iPhone and iPad app for 2012 Key World Energy Statistics

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced the release of an updated iPhone and iPad app version of its publication "2012 Key World Energy Statistics," which includes data on supply, transformation and consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions of all major energy sources. The customisable 2013 app is designed to enable users to access multiple indicators and … Continue reading IEA releases free iPhone and iPad app for 2012 Key World Energy Statistics →

Energy taxes in the US now being discussed

Eduardo Porter wrote recently in the New York Times about the pros and cons of introducing energy taxes in the US.  Droughts and hurricanes are starting to stir some debate.  But the conclusion is that, even with all the benefits of new energy taxes, the US seems a long way off from introducing them. In … Continue reading Energy taxes in the US now being discussed →