This is an excellent question and answer article by Barbara Lewis of Reuter’s that was published on March 15th. The topic is one that anyone working in energy efficiency in Europe has struggled with endlessly. Q&A – Why is EU energy saving easier said than done? (Reuters) - A draft European Union law on energy … Continue reading Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?
IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector
Cutting back on the amount of energy consumed in buildings all over the world will represent a significant step forward in efforts to strengthen energy security and combat climate change, International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said as she announced new IEA initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings … Continue reading IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector
More interesting reading . . .
Two new reports from the OECD and the UK government should definitely be on EiD readers’ bookshelves. From the OECD The OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction presents the latest projections of socio-economic trends over the next four decades, and their implications for four key areas of concern: climate change, biodiversity, water and health … Continue reading More interesting reading . . .
Video-in-Demand
EiD has come across two excellent videos for EiD readers. The first is by Peter Sweatman for Eurima, the European Insulation Manufacturers, on Financing Mechanisms for Europe’s Buildings Renovations. This is an excellent argument for an ambitious energy efficiency directive and the need for incentives for building refurbishment. The second is by the UNFCCC Executive … Continue reading Video-in-Demand
Does building turbines use more energy than they produce?
This is an excellent article from February 29th in the Guardian by Leo Hickman on life cycle analysis of wind turbines. The average windfarm produces 20-25 times more energy during its operational life than was used to construct and install its turbines Critics of wind energy often claim that the energy used to construct a … Continue reading Does building turbines use more energy than they produce?
Brussels . . . Briefly . . .
Following the vote by the European Parliament on February 28th, it is now the turn of the European Council under the Presidency of Denmark to get a common position in order to start the trialogues. For information on the co-decision process, go to the Reference Material page. All indications show that the negotiations will start … Continue reading Brussels . . . Briefly . . .
Interesting reading . . .
Renewable Energies in Africa: Current Knowledge This report summarises current knowledge at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre regarding Renewable Energy in Africa. It assesses current energy consumption and the share of renewables in African states, and attempts to estimate the technical potential of available resources of solar, wind, biomass and hydropower that could be … Continue reading Interesting reading . . .
Let’s meet in Paris
It is almost springtime and the meeting season has already started. It is Energy Efficiency Week at the IEA from March 12th to 16th and there are three important workshops. On Wednesday, March 14th a workshop on “The Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency” will expand on previous IEA work on multiple benefits for fuel poverty … Continue reading Let’s meet in Paris
Draft Energy Efficiency Directive Passes Major Hurdle
As widely reported in the press this week, the European Parliamentary Committee responsible for energy matters voted 31 to 22 to start negotiations with the EU Council on the final legislation. It follows months of work on the draft directive, which has already been amended 1,800 times. Key to the proposed legislation is a binding … Continue reading Draft Energy Efficiency Directive Passes Major Hurdle
New Report on Recent Real-time Feedback Studies
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently published a report on pilot projects and experiments concerning real-time feedback. One of the major barriers to changing consumer behaviour is lack of feedback about the impact that their energy-saving behaviour has on energy use. Residential electricity savings from real-time feedback in the nine pilots reviewed … Continue reading New Report on Recent Real-time Feedback Studies
