Call for deep changes to the way Europe runs and regulates its electricity sector

Tobias Buck writes in the Financial Times how one of Europe’s biggest power companies sees the need for major reforms in order to better promote renewable energy. Iberdrola calls for energy reforms to back ‘efficient’ renewables The boss of one of Europe’s biggest power companies has called for deep changes to the way the … Continue reading Call for deep changes to the way Europe runs and regulates its electricity sector →

Update on energy efficiency programmes of US utilities

Dylan Sullivan, a staff scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) writes an excellent account of utility efforts on energy efficiency in the US on the NRDC blog site. Utility investment in energy efficiency programs continues to increase, but we need more Energy efficiency programs - rebates, information, and market development efforts that … Continue reading Update on energy efficiency programmes of US utilities →

Addressing the potential for improving the energy performance of buildings in New York City

Elisa Wood writes an important article on the energyefficiencymarkets website about how improving the energy performance of buildings will bring many benefits to energy utilities, such as avoiding building new sub-stations. While there have been endless articles about how energy efficiency is adversely affecting energy companies, the results are not all negative at all. … Continue reading Addressing the potential for improving the energy performance of buildings in New York City →

Developments in deployment of solar systems in Hawaii – at the forefront of a global upheaval

Diane Cardwell provides an excellent article in the New York Times about the impact the rapid deployment of solar systems is having on the power sector. Solar Power Battle Puts Hawaii at Forefront of Worldwide Changes Allan Akamine has looked all around the winding, palm tree-lined cul-de-sacs of his suburban neighborhood in Mililani here … Continue reading Developments in deployment of solar systems in Hawaii – at the forefront of a global upheaval →

How utilities are working with consumers to save energy

Elisa Wood writes on the EnergyEfficiencyMarkets website about how energy companies can influence our energy saving behaviour. Saving Energy: I’ll Do it My Way Saving energy used to be about not forgetting to flip the switch when you left the room. But those days have gone the way of the land line and video … Continue reading How utilities are working with consumers to save energy →

Oil and gas companies are reviewing policies on climate change

It was years ago since BP said it was “beyond petroleum.” Nick Butler writes a very good article in the Financial Times about four reasons why oil and gas companies are reviewing their policies on climate change. How oil and gas majors are rethinking on climate change Almost all the major oil and gas … Continue reading Oil and gas companies are reviewing policies on climate change →

The energy transition and the greater effect on the electricity system – renewables or efficiency?

John Farrell writes a good article on the CleanTechnica website arguing that, while renewable energy leads in the news, energy efficiency may be the more persistent threat to electric utilities in the 21st century. Do you have a view? Is Energy Efficiency The More Persistent Threat To Utilities? While local renewable energy and energy … Continue reading The energy transition and the greater effect on the electricity system – renewables or efficiency? →

Electric vehicles and our transmission grids

What does the increased interest in electric vehicles mean for our electricity systems. Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about why Americans have little to worry about. Is this true in Europe as well? Some people worry that Teslas will jam the power grid. Here’s why they’re wrong The world … Continue reading Electric vehicles and our transmission grids →

Fuelling vehicles will never be the same again

The electric car is here and it is going to become more and more common. Diane Cardwell writes a very good article about how electric utilities are getting into the vehicle charging business in the US. Is this the model for the future? Will we see this in Europe? Or is it already on the … Continue reading Fuelling vehicles will never be the same again →

Progressive utilities in US grasp the value of LEED

Derek Handova writes on the Intelligentutility website about the role utilities are playing to promote more advanced LEED buildings in the US. Handover admits that In spite of the efforts of some very progressive utilities, overall, utility LEED programmes still need more outreach because of their lack of uptake. Utilities LEED us into energy … Continue reading Progressive utilities in US grasp the value of LEED →