Energy Efficiency News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Moniz Unanimously Confirmed As New DOE Chief

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:55:25 GMT

Ernie Moniz has been unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next Secretary of Energy, in a 97-0 vote (with three nonvoters). He succeeds Stephen Chu who held the position for four years.

U.K. Delays Smart Meter Rollout by a Year on 'Challenge'

Alex Morales, Bloomberg — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

The U.K. postponed its mass installation of "smart" energy meters by a year as suppliers struggle with design glitches and testing is delayed.

Efficiency New Brunswick Cuts Geothermal Energy Incentives

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:21:00 GMT

Throughout Canada, energy efficiency retrofit grants have helped stimulate the geothermal industry and have made geothermal heat pumps more popular than ever before. The introduction of these substantial financial incentives on both a provincial and federal level have been a boon for the geothermal industry and the energy efficiency retrofit indust

Electricity Loss and Theft: Who Pays?

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

We fret about turning off the lights to save pennies on energy. Meanwhile, electricity worth billions of dollars gets lost or stolen on the world’s power grids every year. In industry jargon, the problem is known as ‘line loss.’ A certain amount of electricity generated by a power plant never makes it to the consumer — or at least the paying consum

Europe Sinks Its Flagship Carbon Trading Scheme

Paul Hockenos, International Correspondent — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:34:47 GMT

All German Chancellor Angela Merkel had to do was pick up the phone and dial her people in Brussels. Had she done so before the European Parliament's (EP) key vote last month on April 19, her party's representatives could easily have saved the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Europe's flagship mechanism for reducing carbon emissions. But the woman once hailed as "the climate chancellor," didn't make the call, a consequence of differences of opinion on the ETS within her ruling center-right coalition, she said. The impotent ETS is now withering on the vine, where it may remain until it is dead altogether.

Microgrids: Coming or No?

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

You know that experience, when you buy a new car, and suddenly you see the model everywhere? Since Superstorm Sandy I’ve had the equivalent experience with the term ‘microgrid.’ Policymakers and thought leaders in the U.S. Northeast started talking microgrid in earnest shortly after the October 2012 storm leveled swaths of their region. Lately, the

EU Debate Over Climate Change Policy Could Dampen Renewable Energy Growth

Ewa Krukowska and Alex Morales, Bloomberg — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:39:31 GMT

Europe's program to halt climate change is in disarray with lawmakers in the region expressing concern the drift is undermining the planet's most significant effort to combat global warming.

Distributed Energy Storage Benefits on Both Sides of the Meter

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Solar and wind are excellent sources of clean, renewable energy, but as they contribute a larger share to the generation fleet, their integration will become increasingly challenging. The reason: solar and wind cannot be dispatched in the same way as other sources of energy, such as nuclear, hydro, and fossil fuels. Because the grid must operate “j

The $40 Billion Hiding in US Buildings

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A pretty big wad of money — $40 billion — is hiding somewhere inside the lights, AC, thermostats, furnaces and fans of our offices, stores, hospitals and schools. That’s the amount of money the federal government estimates we can save annually by reducing energy use in commercial buildings 20 percent by 2020. To achieve the goal, the Obama adminis

Energy Efficiency Stocks Rally on Shaheen-Portman Bill

Tom Konrad, Contributor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:08:36 GMT

While the chance for broad energy reform to come out of our dysfunctional and divided Congress are slim, there is one area of broad agreement across the aisle: Energy efficiency is good for jobs, and the environment. Much can also be done at modest or no cost to the taxpayer.

Renewable Energy Optimization in the Heart of Coal Country

Eric Mathis, Sustainable Williamson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:32:36 GMT

In the depths of coal country, one would not expect to find a growing diversified energy economy that includes a healthy mix of renewables. But in Williamson, WV, Sustainable Williamson is bullish on making a change, and hopes to inspire other communities throughout central Appalachia, coal country and the nation.

Kenyan Island to Fight Malaria Using Solar Power

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Since solar photovoltaic panels were first invented they have been used for many purposes and will no doubt continue to do so over the coming years. It is always good to hear of them being installed for a worthwhile cause over and above the usual benefits that they provide to the environment. A Kenyan island is gradually having solar panels fitted

Energy Efficiency Finds Its Cell Phone, Part II

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

If you’re an energy efficiency geek and your refrigerator breaks down, you probably think, “Yes! A chance to buy a new super energy-saving model.” But you’re the exception. Most consumers consider price tag before ENERGY STAR certification. Human nature being what it is, they choose the cheaper model even if it costs them more in utility bills lon

Three Unequal Choices for a Local (Renewable) Energy Future

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Earth Day highlights the need for a sustainable energy future, and experience suggests that there are only three meaningful choices for communities trying to increase local control of a greener energy future. But the three policies – deregulation (“customer choice”), municipal aggregation (“city choice”), and municipal utilities (“city ownership”)

Renewables Are "Bright Spot" in Bleak Low-carbon Outlook

Tildy Bayar, Associate Editor, Renewable Energy World — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Today in New Delhi the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed the latest figures from its annual report on global progress towards a low-carbon future. The agency addressed its report to a meeting of the Clean Energy Ministerial, a group of ministers representing nations that collectively emit four-fifths of global greenhouse gases.

2030: A Future Roadmap for Renewables?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A recent European Commission Green Paper seeking views on the development of intermediate renewable energy and climate targets for 2030 has prompted calls from the industry to adopt a three part approach, targeting renewable energy, energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Formally opening an ongoing debate, the consultation — the Commission says

PACE Financing Concept Provides Hope for Renewable Energy Projects

Andrew Herndon, Bloomberg — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:32:00 GMT

Solar-energy installations are set to receive record loans this year through a U.S. municipal finance tool modeled after one that backed $17 billion of sewers and sidewalks in the past decade.

The Limits of Renewable Energy: A Call for Research and Development

Matthew Stepp, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:50:19 GMT

We're losing the race against global warming. Worldwide coal production increased about eight times faster than solar- and wind-power generation last year. China added more new coal plants in 2011 than are running in Texas and Ohio, even as it leads the world in wind-power capacity. Meanwhile, the United States is only modestly cutting carbon emissions by transitioning from coal to natural gas, which is still a carbon-rich fuel.

Energy Efficiency Finds Its Cell Phone

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:43:00 GMT

Energy efficiency insiders have envied the telecommunications industry for years. After all, it produced the iPhone, Android and other products that American consumers can’t seem to live without. The telecom industry achieved this level of innovation after it deregulated. The electricity industry deregulated too, but no killer product followed, no

Australia Backs Renewable Energy Targets

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:02:45 GMT

In response to a statutory review, The Australian Government's Climate Change Authority has committed to maintaining its renewable energy target (RET) of 20 percent of the nation's electricity (roughly 41,000 GWh) coming from renewable sources by 2020. The Government also emphasizes that 20 percent is only a minimum target, and leaves "the way open for improvements in energy efficiency to deliver a higher share of renewable energy."