The Steelworks website from the American Iron and Steel Institute writes about retrofit metal roofing that helps heat and cool buildings, produces electricity for the grid, and harvests rainwater. Is this the way of the future? High Tech Roofing Brings Energy Efficiency to Department of Defense The nation’s largest energy user, the Department of … Continue reading Developments in retrofit metal roofing
Tag: buildings
New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City
Christian de Looper writes a good article in Tech Times about a new high-rise apartment building that will make it the largest passive building in the world. This 26-Story Building Will Be The Largest Passive Building Ever Built Passive energy-powered buildings are becoming more popular, although most of those that pass the requirements to … Continue reading New passive-design high-rise being built in New York City
Novel way to do a building retrofit
ClickGreen provides a fascinating article about how several buildings in London are taking advantage of the Energy Company Obligation. Specialist abseilers provide energy efficiency refit to London tower blocks Dozens of London tower blocks are receiving energy efficiency refits with £500,000 worth of insulation installed by a specialist team of abseilers. The residential buildings … Continue reading Novel way to do a building retrofit
Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales
Sarah Brimacombe of the law firm Clyde and Co LLP has written an excellent article on the Lexology website about the implications of the new minimum energy efficiency standards on commercial buildings. Is there anything comparable in other countries? New regulations on minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial properties: tenants beware! New minimum energy … Continue reading Explaining new energy efficiency standards for commercial properties in England and Wales
Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place
It is never easy to determine the market value of a home that has had improvements on its energy performance, as explained by Chris Mooney in the Washington Post. Here’s how to get real estate markets to properly value green homes From installing rooftop solar panels to putting in new triple pane windows and … Continue reading Getting information about energy saving upgrades into the market place
New discussion paper on discount rates
The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) commissioned Fraunhofer ISI to investigate the current use of discount rates in energy efficiency policy modelling, with a specific focus put on the building sector. Discount rates are paramount to assess the costs and long-term benefits of different policy scenarios. In any policy discussion in the European Union, there … Continue reading New discussion paper on discount rates
New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential
Dawn Killough writes a good article on the Planetsave website about a new tool that can gather information about building interiors – the design and exact measurements of a building and that can be carried in a backpack. The tool creates a model of an existing space or building, and also captures existing conditions, creating … Continue reading New portable tool helps map buildings’ energy efficiency potential
Improving the energy performance of buildings by using intermediaries in the innovation process
Paula Kivimaa, from the Sussex Energy Group at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) of University of Sussex explains that we need to rely more on ‘carrot’, ‘sermon’ and voluntary action by a range of actors than regulation to improve the energy performance of buildings. She brings forth some excellent ideas that should give us … Continue reading Improving the energy performance of buildings by using intermediaries in the innovation process
Electrical origami for buildings
Stacey Huang writes on the physics.org website about the latest developments by a university student for an environmentally sustainable building Self-folding structure could slash energy use in buildings Princeton student Denisa Buzatu's vision for an environmentally sustainable building is a sort of shape-shifting origami façade. For her senior thesis, Buzatu, a civil and environmental … Continue reading Electrical origami for buildings
‘Liquid engineering’ provides an answer to a more energy efficient home
Justin McGar writes a good article on the sourceable.net website about a new technique using water that can build more energy-efficient homes. Do you have any views? Houses Made of Water Are the Future for Energy Efficiency An increased awareness of energy consumption, and the financial costs involved, is likely to see households continue … Continue reading ‘Liquid engineering’ provides an answer to a more energy efficient home
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 