New guidebook outlines technologies for climate change mitigation in the building sector

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Risø Centre on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have published a guidebook on mitigation technologies and practices in the building sector, with examples of the use of solar energy, energy efficient building materials, and urban planning for storm water management. Such a "green building" … Continue reading New guidebook outlines technologies for climate change mitigation in the building sector →

Germany’s transition to low carbon economy leaves no stone unturned

Stefan Nicola of Bloomberg’s Businessweek.com provides more information on Germany as it seeks ways to ensure the effective transition to a low carbon, no nuclear future. EiD continues to provide its readers useful articles on Germany because it is one of the most important test cases in Europe and globally to show what must and … Continue reading Germany’s transition to low carbon economy leaves no stone unturned →

A four month energy challenge

This blog by Elisa Wood for RenewableEnergyWorld.com describes an innovative approach for an industrial packaging company that combines new technology with behavioural psychology. The results are quite impressive. A New Twist in the Energy Efficiency Story Blend a little new energy tech with a pinch of behavioral psychology and you’re bound to get something unexpected. … Continue reading A four month energy challenge →

Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings

Specificationonline.co.uk has recently described an EU-funded project which has developed a new technology to improve energy performance. It is funded through Framework Programme 7 and a more complete description of the entire project follows the article. Self-learning buildings will increase their energy efficiency The University of Salford is part of a Europe-wide project to … Continue reading Novel way to improve energy performance of buildings →

The answer my friend is blowing in the wind . . .

With the Olympics underway in London, there have been queries about how green these games are. James Murray writes for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network, that there are wind turbines installed. Unfortunately, there has not been much promotion of them, but they are there. Olympic Park erects wind turbines It was one … Continue reading The answer my friend is blowing in the wind . . . →

Learning from the past

This report by Matt Fulford, head of buildings at Sustain, in the Guardian, discusses what we can learn today from our heritage buildings. What can heritage buildings teach us about modern energy efficiency? Heritage buildings have, by definition, been around for a long time. With careful management, they are here to stay for hundreds … Continue reading Learning from the past →

Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage

This new book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes a different approach than the normal technical review. This book will therefore be of interest to anyone who is engaged with the study of energy technologies, carbon reduction and climate change policy more widely, and concerned with questions about the political, policy and social context … Continue reading Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage →

Feeling cool about air conditioning

While much of northern Europe is anxiously waiting for summer to really take hold, in Canada and the United States, a major heat wave has driven many to use their air conditioning to the maximum. Margaret Wente of Canada’s Globe and Mail writes here on the dilemma faced by the eco-conscious. The air conditioning … Continue reading Feeling cool about air conditioning →

LED street lighting trial in 12 of world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings

These are very important trial results on energy-efficient street lighting reported by Business Wire. LED Street Lighting Trial in 12 of World's Largest Cities Shows Up to 85% Energy Savings RIO DE JANEIRO, Jun 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- LED (light-emitting diodes) street lighting can generate energy savings as high as 85%, an independent global … Continue reading LED street lighting trial in 12 of world’s largest cities shows up to 85% energy savings →

CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation

This is a valuable article by Matthew Ulterino, an independent consultant from London and a colleague of EiD. This is an excerpt from his article in Energy and Environment, Volume 23 No. 2&3, 2012. This is a debate that is going to continue for some time. Carbon Capture and Storage: Sitting on the Wrong … Continue reading CCS: Sitting on the wrong side of innovation →