Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of product energy policy

EiD would like to congratulate Hans-Paul Siderius of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), well known to many of you, for obtaining his PhD recently. Hans-Paul is one of the leading figures in product policy related to Ecodesign and energy labelling and it is no surprise that his thesis was on this topic. His thesis, entitled … Continue reading Increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of product energy policy →

Promoting industrial energy efficiency

Wayne Kovach writes on the Manufacturing Business Technology website about the Better Plants Programme in the US. Manufacturers Gear Up For More Energy Efficiency The Better Plants Program recently recognized eleven manufacturers for their efforts in reducing energy consumption. The energy-efficiency based government initiative enrolls businesses that commit to reducing their energy intensity by … Continue reading Promoting industrial energy efficiency →

Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland

Frank McDonald writes in the Irish Times about the significant reduction in energy consumption by the switch to energy-efficient vehicles in Ireland. Fuel-efficient cars reduce energy use by a quarter Consumer preference for more fuel-efficient cars has reduced energy use in the transport sector by 25 per cent since 2007, according to data released … Continue reading Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland →

Britain turns to the Netherlands for a retrofit model

While Europe is increasingly turning to nearly zero energy buildings for new build, the need for that concept to take hold for existing buildings is important. Arthur Neslen writes an important article in The Guardian about how Britain is turning to an important development in The Netherlands. Is this the way for the future? Are … Continue reading Britain turns to the Netherlands for a retrofit model →

How businesses are getting ‘smart’ about saving energy

Krystle Morey provides us with a good post from the Albany Business Review in the US about the benefits to manufacturers from investing in smart technologies. Manufacturer invests in 'smart' equipment to save on energy costs After watching his energy bill jump 40 percent last year during the winter, Scott Stevens is taking steps … Continue reading How businesses are getting ‘smart’ about saving energy →

Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets

There are negotiations going on before the climate and energy targets for 2030 are decided upon last week. When you look at it graphically, it shows quite clearly where member states stand. The energy efficiency community has now to raise its voice. Only yesterday, the British energy secretary said there was room for compromise, but … Continue reading Look who is supporting ambitious EU climate and energy targets →

Tweaking lifestyles is not enough . . .

There is a growing number of articles showing that energy efficiency is so difficult and will produce such modest results, that needed impact will only come from the supply side. This is an article from John Hofmeister, a former president of Shell Oil Co. and founder and head of Citizens for Affordable Energy. He wrote … Continue reading Tweaking lifestyles is not enough . . . →

New IEA report on the energy efficiency market

The International Energy Agency has recently published its 2014 edition of its Energy Efficiency Market Report. This year's report includes an in-depth look at energy efficiency developments in the transport sector and in finance. Significant demand for mobility is emerging in OECD non member economies, bringing with them the challenges of pollution and congestion already … Continue reading New IEA report on the energy efficiency market →

Assessing the benefits of passive houses

Sheri Koones writes on AOL’s real estate pages on the growing trend towards passive houses. While it started in Europe, the interest is growing globally. The 'Passive House' Path to Extreme Energy Efficiency With the growing cost of fuel, increasingly stringent home construction codes, and scientific evidence that we must reduce CO2 emissions, many architects, … Continue reading Assessing the benefits of passive houses →

Energy-efficient lighting has been a boon for economic development but . . .

Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus, co-founders of the Breakthrough Institute, an energy and environmental research center, provided an editorial in the New York Times about the value of energy-efficient products but to make a serious dent in carbon emissions there needs to be a shift to cleaner forms of energy. Do you agree? The … Continue reading Energy-efficient lighting has been a boon for economic development but . . . →