Companies can become zero energy

The Swedish furniture company has never had so much attention. Dominic Basulto, a futurist and blogger, writes in the Washington Post that all companies should pledge to be net zero energy by 2050, following the example of IKEA that has pledged to do so by 2020. With the eceee industrial summer study coming up in … Continue reading Companies can become zero energy →

Important new public finance initiative in UK

The website Building Better Healthcare reports on an important new financing deal to retrofit one of London’s classic hospitals. The deal could prove to be an important model for the future. Landmark energy efficiency deal signed at St Bartholomew’s Hospital A new, low-carbon combined cooling, heating and power solution is being created for St … Continue reading Important new public finance initiative in UK →

Setting a model for other countries to follow

FOCUS Information Agency in Bulgaria writes about an interview that Terry McCallion, Director for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, at the EBRD gave on the success from the financing facility that was established in the country. Bulgaria’s success in energy efficiency lending is a model for other countries In an interview for Utilities monthly, … Continue reading Setting a model for other countries to follow →

Saving energy can be big business

Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about the initial public offering on Wall Street for Opower, which helps utilities develop services to encourage residential consumers to cut electricity use. While American, Opower has also been working in Europe for several years. Importantly, policy makers have to take note that, as quoted in this … Continue reading Saving energy can be big business →

New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations

The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a globally organised and regionally focused organisation whose mission is to provide policy expertise and technical assistance to advance building energy performance and realise sustainable built environments for all. This week, the GBPN launched a new interactive Policy Tool for Renovation. The tool compares and analyses twelve best … Continue reading New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations →

Saving energy in this digital world

Utilityproducts.com describes a new app for the iPad in the US that makes it easier for small businesses to participate in utility-sponsored energy efficiency programs. Undoubtedly, SMEs have been one of the sectors that have puzzled analysts because of the range of barriers stopping the energy efficiency potential from being achieved. Maybe these new approaches … Continue reading Saving energy in this digital world →

Assessing the cost of energy efficiency programmes

CleanTechnica provides an important article on a recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on energy efficiency costs. This is reputed to be the most comprehensive study to date and it is definitely needed both in America and beyond. US Energy Efficiency Programs Cost 2 Cents Per Kilowatt-Hour Saved America’s most comprehensive study of energy … Continue reading Assessing the cost of energy efficiency programmes →

New EIB support for energy efficiency in SMEs for newest EU member

New Energy World Network reports that the European Investment Bank is providing two loans to finance energy efficiency measures in industry. These are for both small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger companies with “middle capitalisation.” EIB issues €400m in loans for energy efficiency projects in Croatia The European Investment Bank (EIB) has … Continue reading New EIB support for energy efficiency in SMEs for newest EU member →

Linking behavioural economics and energy efficiency

Tim Harford writes a weekly column called the Undercover Economist for the Financial Times. He has recently written on behavioural economics and gives a good account of the views of Daniel Kahneman, the winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2002. In my circle of colleagues, Kahneman is often referred to and there is … Continue reading Linking behavioural economics and energy efficiency →

Guaranteeing energy savings in Canada

According to BusinessWire, Canada has now its first warranty programme that removes the concerns about the initial costs for the building owner. This is an important innovation and it would be good to know of other such schemes in Europe or beyond. Energi Develops First Canadian Energy Savings Warranty Energi, a leading provider of … Continue reading Guaranteeing energy savings in Canada →