Our desktop computers on stand by can be costly energy consumers

We know how much more energy efficient our computers and other electrical appliances are but we often forget – or simply do not know – how energy consuming they are when not in use. Chris Mooney provides a good article in the Washington Post that shows that many of these appliances are never fully turned … Continue reading Our desktop computers on stand by can be costly energy consumers →

The internet of things is having a big impact on business costs

Duncan Jeffries writes an excellent article in The Guardian about how connecting devices and the acquisition of data through digital technology is a significant part of the energy transition underway. This article is well worth the read. There is a lot to reflect on. How the internet of things is slashing energy costs for … Continue reading The internet of things is having a big impact on business costs →

Energy Performance Certificates in the Netherlands heavily criticised

Peter Teffer writes on the EUObserver website about the growing concerns about the effectiveness of the Energy Performance Certificate that is required for buildings. There are concerns about fraud, being too abstract, and playing only a small role in a buyer’s decision. What are your views? Energy savings label under fire in the Netherlands … Continue reading Energy Performance Certificates in the Netherlands heavily criticised →

Low-income housing not benefiting from energy efficiency schemes

Jacob Barker writes an important article on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website about the dilemma facing regulators. Those in need are not benefiting from energy efficiency incentives. In fact, this lack of benefit is more of a penalty which simply should not be the case. Energy efficiency savings not reaching low-income households The people … Continue reading Low-income housing not benefiting from energy efficiency schemes →

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? →

VAT issues arise again in Britain

In February 2013, EiD had a post by Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation of Energy on the European Commission’s demand that VAT rise (again) to the rate of 20%. He and many others had argued for years about the importance of the lower rate of 5% but the Commission argued that the … Continue reading VAT issues arise again in Britain →

Low hanging fruit or strawberries?

Matt Golden argues in an article on the GreenTech website in favour of a new path forward for energy efficiency based on markets. EiD certainly recommends you to read this. Let’s Get Real: The Energy Efficiency Industry Can Do Better In my last Greentech Media article, I looked at the limitations of top-down energy … Continue reading Low hanging fruit or strawberries? →

New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions

A report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) finds that transitioning to modern district energy systems could reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50%. The resulting emission reductions could amount to 60% of those required of the energy sector by 2050 to keep average temperature rise below 2°C, according to the report, titled … Continue reading New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions →

The urgent need to raise Australia’s productivity through ‘energy opportunities’

Keith Orchison writes in Australia’s Business Spectator about the almost totally ignored opportunities to increase the country’s productivity, that lags significantly below the OECD average. This is a good article that brings lessons to all of us. The deafening silence on energy efficiency At a point where teeth-grinding over energy policy (or the lack … Continue reading The urgent need to raise Australia’s productivity through ‘energy opportunities’ →

Display energy certificates on trial

The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive gives considerable importance to consumers and the general public in knowing and understanding the energy performance of buildings. For public buildings, the idea was to have Display Energy Certificates (DECs) that would allow the public know the performance of buildings that were deemed part of the public space. … Continue reading Display energy certificates on trial →