Communities are increasingly involved in the energy transition

Every day we are reading about how communities are playing an increasingly significant role in the energy transition. We read about how the larger cities through C40 or other actions through the Covenant of Mayors in Europe or Energy Cities are having an important impact. Karen Percy writes on the ABC website about what one … Continue reading Communities are increasingly involved in the energy transition

Issues related to the energy transition in the state of Ohio

It is always instructive to follow sustainable energy developments in cities and regions. Bob Brecha, a professor of Physics and Renewable and Clean Energy at the University of Dayton, and Research Director at UD's Hanley Sustainability Institute, provides a good overview on the WYSO website of important issues related to the state’s energy transition. As … Continue reading Issues related to the energy transition in the state of Ohio

Looking for new ways to help customers save energy

The state of Vermont has been one of the leaders in addressing energy efficiency in the United States. While much has been done, it is encouraging to see that Efficiency Vermont is still challenging the status quo to achieve even greater savings. Tim Perrin from Efficiency Vermont writes about a recent pilot project in the … Continue reading Looking for new ways to help customers save energy

Renewable heat scheme causes big political problems in Northern Ireland

It is not very often that a sustainable energy programme brings down a government, but it happened recently in Northern Ireland. It shows that you cannot give too much importance to good design and good implementation. Gareth McKeown writes in the Irish News about some of the complications. It would be good for an EiD … Continue reading Renewable heat scheme causes big political problems in Northern Ireland

The energy transition in Alberta

The collapse in oil prices has had a significant impact on the Canadian province of Alberta. The tar sands together with conventional fossil fuels have dominated the economy for decades. But the provincial government has had to diversify and it has been making good progress. Emma Graney writes a good article in the Edmonton Journal … Continue reading The energy transition in Alberta

Devising new cycle lanes that protect cyclists and contribute to more sustainable cities

Oliver Balch writes a good article in The Observer about plans for a novel new cycle path in Chicago that will be a floating car-free bike path along the surface of the Chicago River.   Chicago entices cyclists with plan for floating, solar-powered bike path City cyclists, picture the scene: no more road-hogging drivers, no … Continue reading Devising new cycle lanes that protect cyclists and contribute to more sustainable cities

Local governments taking the lead to promote sustainable energy

We are increasingly appreciating how local governments are playing a key role in the low carbon energy transition. Silvia Zinetti, a previous contributor to EiD, is a sustainable energy expert and policy advisor, based in California. Many of you will remember Silvia when she was working in Brussels in sustainable energy. She brought her experience … Continue reading Local governments taking the lead to promote sustainable energy

How promoting renewable energy is tackling fuel poverty on the Orkney Islands

Scotland is definitely providing much of the news this week. The Orcadian daily news online website provides a good article on a new funding drive that invites renewable energy generators to donate some of their FIT income to help address fuel poverty. It is an interesting approach we should all watch with great interest   … Continue reading How promoting renewable energy is tackling fuel poverty on the Orkney Islands

Contrasting Scotland’s approach to energy efficiency in buildings with England

As shown in another post this week, Scotland is not only giving a priority to renewable energy but also to energy efficiency. This is a well-appreciated approach to sustainable energy as a whole. Writing in the October 2016 edition of Energy in Buildings & Industry, Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, reviews … Continue reading Contrasting Scotland’s approach to energy efficiency in buildings with England

Terrible weather in Scotland sometimes has its benefits

There is consensus in Scotland that the energy system must increasingly turn to renewable energy. Griff Witte writes a good article in the Washington Post about recent developments and about how Scotland has beaten every one of its renewable energy targets in recent years. There are definite lessons to be learned by their experience.   … Continue reading Terrible weather in Scotland sometimes has its benefits