Financing energy efficiency in buildings is a challenge to policy makers, to consumers and to the energy efficiency industries (services and products). Two innovative approaches have recently been discussed in the US. SolarCity SolarCity, a national provider of clean energy services, on March 27th unveiled a Home Energy Loan for energy efficiency upgrades that will … Continue reading Financing energy efficiency in buildings – the American way
Thought for today
We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and … Continue reading Thought for today
Cost optimality
On Wednesday, March 21st, the European Parliament and the Council published a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements. The publication sets a deadline of one year from March 21st for member states to submit their first report on cost optimality concerning all input data … Continue reading Cost optimality
Renewable energy: Finnish, Greek and Polish legislation still not in line with EU rules
The Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) had to be implemented by member states by 5 December 2010. The transposition of EU legislation is a priority for the Commission, especially since unnecessary delays in implementing may jeopardise the achievement of the EU renewable energy objective for 2020. Finland, Greece, and Poland have not yet informed the Commission … Continue reading Renewable energy: Finnish, Greek and Polish legislation still not in line with EU rules
Good news . . . No news . . .
On March 10th, the Commission published a new regulation on ecodesign requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 206/2012) that significantly raises the minimum energy performance standards of air conditioners. But one would never know it. The news has gone virtually unreported. There is one good report, though, on the Coolproducts … Continue reading Good news . . . No news . . .
Member State progress reports on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources
According to Article 22 of the Renewable Energy Directive, by 31 December 2011, and every two years thereafter, each member state is required to submit a report to the Commission on progress in promoting and using energy from renewable sources. These reports are expected to describe the overall renewable energy policy developments in each member … Continue reading Member State progress reports on the promotion and use of energy from renewable sources
Energy Charter and the Arab League sign a memorandum of understanding
The Energy Charter Secretariat and the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on issues concerning energy cooperation between the two organisations. "Economic activity needs stability, and stability is based upon better understanding and closer cooperation. That is precisely what we intend to achieve through implementation of this Memorandum … Continue reading Energy Charter and the Arab League sign a memorandum of understanding
Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings
A two-month public consultation on "Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings" has been launched by the Directorate General for Energy. The consultation period expires on May 18th. The objective is to obtain the views of the wide range of stakeholders throughout Europe on ways to improve the financial support for energy efficiency measures that … Continue reading Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings
Russian steps . . .
Rod Janssen of EiD has worked in many regions of Russia and can testify to the problems with improving energy use in the country. This is an excellent article from Reuter’s on many of the issues facing Russia. Reluctant Russia wakes up to energy waste by Jennifer Rankin MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - The … Continue reading Russian steps . . .
Energy savings targets revisited
Negotiators of the draft Energy Efficiency Directive have been struggling for months to settle on a strategy to achieve the 2020 energy savings target. The Commission, Council, Parliament and all stakeholders agree that the indicative 20% energy savings target will not be achieved with current policies and programmes. There have been debates about how to … Continue reading Energy savings targets revisited
