Tag: EU policies

Assessing how consumers understand the EU energy label – new report

CLASP, the Collaborative Labeling & Appliance Standards Program, has published a report that gives us insight into how consumers are understanding the newly designed energy labels In 2010, the original Energy Labelling Directive was recast. Its scope of applicability was broadened, and many existing labels – specifically those applying to refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, … Continue reading Assessing how consumers understand the EU energy label – new report →

Will energy labels work for vacuum cleaners

James Dyson, the inventor of the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner technology and founder of the Dyson Company, provides his views on the proposed energy labels for vacuum cleaners in an article for EurActiv.   Energy labels for vacuum cleaners won’t do the job Like legislation on light bulbs, the EU’s bright environmental goals for vacuum … Continue reading Will energy labels work for vacuum cleaners →

Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist

Palko Karasz writes in the New York Times about the correction that the country is having to take after the massive expansion of renewable energy in recent years.   Romania Changes Course on Renewable Energy With more wind turbines already built than any of its neighbors, Romania has gained a reputation as a prime location … Continue reading Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist →

Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee

On May 21st, the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy published a discussion paper entitled “European competitiveness and energy efficiency: Focusing on the real issue”.  So, what is the real issue? Everyone is worried about the price of energy and that Europeans are paying so much more than in most other regions of the … Continue reading Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee →

Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency

Mat Hope wrote for Carbon Brief about some of the difficulties that energy supply companies are having to meet their obligations. The costs to consumers could be higher than initially estimated.  This has important lessons for all of Europe as they start to develop and implement their own obligation schemes.  This blog follows an article … Continue reading Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency →

Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia

Amending the renewable energy support scheme has caused much ruckus and opinion differences in Estonia over government’s plans to retroactively amend the support scheme while not respecting previous agreements, writes Mikk Põld, attorney of TRINITI, pan-Baltic cross-border alliance of law firms, in the Baltic Business News.   Renewable energy support – Estonian government’s stumbling stone … Continue reading Reviewing renewable energy support in Estonia →

Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland

Malcolm Cannon of ESPC.com in Scotland writes in the Guardian about the impact that EPCs are having on the Scottish housing market.   Energy performance certificates won't change human behaviour Scottish government plans to improve energy efficiency can't prevent buyers placing more space above green credentials In late January, the Scottish government published a draft … Continue reading Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland →

H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world

It is an important step when technologies move along the deployment continuum.  Many remain in the research world, struggling to find their place in the market place.  When I started in energy policy, there was always discussion about hydrogen and its potential to be a major form of sustainable energy.  We are still waiting. This … Continue reading H2 – the strongest link in the energy chain? From the research community to the policy world →

Energy company worries that energy efficiency is hurting its financial position

Scott Wright wrote in the Herald Scotland that Iberdrola’s finances dropped because of costs involved in meeting UK energy company obligations.  The new Energy Companies Obligation was considered the single most important factor on overall performance. Energy efficiency costs take toll on Iberdrola results Energy giant Iberdrola felt the weight of legislative measures to improve … Continue reading Energy company worries that energy efficiency is hurting its financial position →