European Investment Bank supports the retrofit of schools in France

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement with the Languedoc-Roussillon Region to enable it to build and refurbish secondary schools to a high energy efficiency standard, meeting Europe 2020 environmental norms. A first EUR 100 million instalment was put in place on 7 September 2012 by the President of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region, … Continue reading European Investment Bank supports the retrofit of schools in France →

VAT challenge could harm Green Deal prospects

The UK government is to fight an EU ruling that the UK must raise VAT on energy efficiency products from 5% to 20%. VAT was reduced to 5% on energy efficiency products in the UK because government wants to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs. Andrew Warren of the Association for the … Continue reading VAT challenge could harm Green Deal prospects →

Energy efficient commercial buildings in the news

Joao Peixe for Oilprice.com provides a report on a building in Stockholm that is purported to be the most energy efficient in the world. The report does not provide details on its actual energy performance and EiD encourages any of its Swedish readers to come forward with more information. If it truly is the most … Continue reading Energy efficient commercial buildings in the news →

Addressing fuel poverty in Scotland

Scotland’s Daily Record news describes efforts underway by the Scottish Government to more effectively address fuel poverty. The article quotes Brenda Boardman, who has championed the cause of tackling fuel poverty. Calls for fuel poverty to be stamped out by improving energy efficiency THE Scottish Government has pledged to ensure that by November 2016, "so … Continue reading Addressing fuel poverty in Scotland →

Promoting energy efficiency in Chicago

Midwest Energy News provides an excellent review by Kari Lydersen of what is going on in Chicago to promote energy efficiency. Importantly, the city is setting up an Infrastructure Trust and it will be important for all to follow how this evolves. The role of cities is becoming more and more important in energy efficiency … Continue reading Promoting energy efficiency in Chicago →

Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings

Specificationonline.co.uk has recently described an EU-funded project which has developed a new technology to improve energy performance. It is funded through Framework Programme 7 and a more complete description of the entire project follows the article. Self-learning buildings will increase their energy efficiency The University of Salford is part of a Europe-wide project to … Continue reading Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings →

Pushing for deep renovations in Canada

Summer gives EiD some time to look at news items that do not make the traditional press sources. This article by Bill Metcalfe from Nelson, BC in Canada focuses on a consultant who is pushing for even more ambitious goals in his local community. Energy Expert Thinks Nelson’s Ecosave Program Doesn’t Go Far Enough Michael … Continue reading Pushing for deep renovations in Canada →

New York City shows way forward in energy efficient retrofits

Jeff Ray of CBS media describes the retrofit of a landmark building in New York City. The entire retrofit took five years to complete which is a sobering thought when we consider retrofitting commercial buildings on a major scale. Sundance Square Making Energy Efficient Push The tallest building in New York City is now the tallest … Continue reading New York City shows way forward in energy efficient retrofits →

Commercial sector in UK missed in promoting energy efficiency

The news agency, Reuters, has recently published a column by Gerard Wynn on how the UK’s energy efficiency strategy has by-passed the commercial sector – a sector with significant potential for electricity savings. UK efficiency drive skips commercial sector Britain is missing a huge potential for electricity savings by companies as the government focuses on … Continue reading Commercial sector in UK missed in promoting energy efficiency →

Financing retrofits

Improving the energy performance of buildings will require some innovation on financing. Sandra Kwak, an entrepreneur with Powerzoa and D-Light Energy has provided an insightful, detailed article on energy efficiency financing that should be of interest to EiD readers. It makes for more good summer reading. Energy Efficiency Financing: The Absent, Invisible Hand “How … Continue reading Financing retrofits →