New study on retrofitting commercial buildings

Commercial buildings represent a large and growing share of energy consumption in buildings. This is a good article by Business Wire on a new market study from Pike Research. The market for energy efficiency retrofits in commercial buildings will nearly double by 2020, reaching $152 billion worldwide, according to new study Efforts to retrofit … Continue reading New study on retrofitting commercial buildings →

Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances

A study by the Energy Saving Trust in the UK of energy wasted from stand-by use provides important lessons for all countries. Even though there have been campaigns and energy performance standards to reduce stand-by consumption, the total impact is still a major concern. Energy Saving Trust: households waste £1.3bn for leaving gadget switched … Continue reading Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances →

Indian researcher says Japan is lagging on energy efficiency

This article from Japan’s newservice, Asahi Shimbun, highlights some disturbing news if Japan is to fully transform its energy sector, following the Fukushima nuclear disaster. RIO+20: Indian researcher says Japan is lagging on energy efficiency June 20, 2012 By LOUIS TEMPLADO/ Staff Writer For a few months last summer, Japan looked with unclouded eyes … Continue reading Indian researcher says Japan is lagging on energy efficiency →

Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity

We seldom think that climate change will actually affect renewable energy production. This article from the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development was released before the Rio + 20 Conference. Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity, warn scientists Scientists fear climate change impacts will reduce Latin America's capacity to produce renewable … Continue reading Climate change will reduce renewable energy capacity →

American homes are getting bigger, but energy use is shrinking

This is a very important blog from the Washington Post. This will interest followers of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy because it sponsored a workshop two years ago on this topic. American homes are getting bigger, but energy use is shrinking Posted by Brad Plumer, June 6, 2012 American houses are getting … Continue reading American homes are getting bigger, but energy use is shrinking →

Adding to EiD’s Closet

There are now 16 books in "The Closet". The most recent addition is Electricity Market Reform – An IEA Handbook. This 1999 IEA report is an excellent reference book for those following electricity market reform in Europe and beyond. It takes an historical perspective, going back to the 1870s to see how the sector has … Continue reading Adding to EiD’s Closet →

GBPN Buildings Sector Summit and Symposium

The Paris-based Global Buildings Performance Network, funded by Climate Works of the US, held a series of meetings May 30 and 31st to essentially launch the Network. The network has hubs in Europe, the US, China and India. The meetings were designed to discuss two important research projects commissioned by the GBPN and released at … Continue reading GBPN Buildings Sector Summit and Symposium →

Neither sermons nor silence

The Green Alliance in the UK has published a valuable report entitled “Neither sermons nor silence - the case for national communications on energy use”. The report examines previous Government-led national communication campaigns, including "Act on CO2" and argues that they lacked enabling policy to underpin them. There are behavioural barriers to uptake and the … Continue reading Neither sermons nor silence →

CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation

This is a valuable article by Matthew Ulterino, an independent consultant from London and a colleague of EiD. This is an excerpt from his article in Energy and Environment, Volume 23 No. 2&3, 2012. This is a debate that is going to continue for some time. Carbon Capture and Storage: Sitting on the Wrong … Continue reading CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation →

Discussing Germany’s nuclear exit

This is an important article by Damian Carrington of the Guardian on the costs of Germany’s phase out of nuclear. This is important because there is so much mis-information around. For all countries, watching this “experiment” in Germany and learning lessons from it will be essential. There is a need for more than just a … Continue reading Discussing Germany’s nuclear exit →