Tag: analysis

Hot off the press

There are several new publications that should be of interest to EiD readers  The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has published a Guide to Developing Strategies for Building Energy Renovation.  This template was prepared to help EU member states develop the first version of their renovation strategies that are due by April 30th 2014. It … Continue reading Hot off the press →

Such talk can give you a chill

Alex Kirby reports for the Climate News Network on warnings by Bob Watson, well known for formerly chairing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  The signatories to the 2009 Copenhagen Accord agreed to do what they could to keep global temperatures from climbing above 2°C.  The IEA in late 2012 raised concerns that this could … Continue reading Such talk can give you a chill →

Is efficient sufficient? revisited

Stephen Lacy for Greentech efficiency raises important points about our energy use in houses.  In Europe, the eceee had an excellent workshop on this a few years ago, and it needs to be discussed even more. These trends in America are, one suspects, that are also true for Europe.  Maybe they will be discussed at … Continue reading Is efficient sufficient? revisited →

Discussing the rebound effect from energy efficiency

On January 24th and 25th, there was an excellent roundtable at the IEA discussing the Macroeconomic Benefits of Energy Efficiency.  There was an extensive discussion on the rebound effect with no real conclusion other than it must be analysed.  How the results are used is up for debate.  By coincidence, that very day there were … Continue reading Discussing the rebound effect from energy efficiency →

New study shows that Canada can achieve an 80% carbon reduction by 2050

Ralph Torrie, Managing Director of the Trottier Energy Futures Project, describes a new study they have just released.  While the focus is Canada, it reviews low-carbon scenario research from eight industrialised countries.  This is an important study that deserves   An 80% Carbon Reduction: It’s Not Just Business as Usual An 80% reduction in Canada’s … Continue reading New study shows that Canada can achieve an 80% carbon reduction by 2050 →

Impact of biofuel production assessed

The Reuters news agency writes in The Guardian about a new study that biofuel production could actually be doing a lot of harm to the environment. Biofuel production threatens air quality and crop yields, study finds Report warns large-scale cultivation of trees for renewable wood fuel would emit high levels of the chemical isoprene. Fighting … Continue reading Impact of biofuel production assessed →

Data needed on tenant behaviour

Professor Elena Gaura of the Low Impact Buildings Grand Challenge Initiative at Coventry University in the UK writes about a new experiment to have a better understanding of tenant data in order to help develop a more sustainable approach to sustainable housing  Sustainable housing movement held back by lack of tenant data The Naked House … Continue reading Data needed on tenant behaviour →

2012 – the year in graphs

The Washington Post asked many experts for the graph that they felt best explained 2012.  Two of the graphs relate to sustainable energy.  First, the nominee related to climate change was Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. The second graph is by Michael Greenstone, professor of economics at MIT and Director of the Hamilton Project.  It … Continue reading 2012 – the year in graphs →