Buildings . Carbon Removal . Consumer Behavior . Energy Efficiency . Storage
Wooden buildings: a natural carbon sink boosted by modern manufacturing technologies
On 23.06.2021 by Xuqian YanWood is an ancient construction material, but it has been gradually substituted with concrete and steel. However, the advantages of wood are now being (re)discovered as sustainability becomes a global interest and advanced manufacturing technologies become available. This article focuses on its advantages in carbon capture, digital construction, and prefabrication.
Buildings . Climate Change . Energy Efficiency . Smart Energy
How smart grids will change the way architects have to design buildings
On 30.11.2020 by Christoph WaibelIn order to efficiently integrate intermittent renewable energy into our grids, we need to change the role that buildings play in a city. Instead of being mere consumers, they need to become a swarm of smart prosumers capable of stabilizing the grid. This calls for a new way how architects should design buildings, leading to the next era of architecture: “Energy Responsivism”.
Consumer Behavior . Electricity . Energy Efficiency . Heating . Society
How energy efficient is your daily life?
On 20.01.2020 by Valentina Stampi-BombelliHave you ever stopped to think about the power consumption of the activities of your daily life? Do you think you can guess the power consumption of each device? Try sorting the power consumption of each device that runs on electricity, and then have fun scrolling on the images of each room below to find out if you guessed correctly!
Energy Efficiency . Society
Can randomized field experiments help close the energy efficiency gap? / Können randomisierte Feldstudien helfen, die Energieeffizienzlücke zu schliessen?
On 05.12.2019 by Nina BoogenSome time ago economists appropriated a method from medical research called randomized controlled trials, which has become the “golden standard” to detect causal effects of a policy intervention. Could they also assist in closing the energy efficiency gap? In this blog article, I argue why they could, but also why they are not a universal remedy.
Buildings . Energy Efficiency . Heating
Retrofitting for good: insights from the Swiss Household Energy Demand Survey
On 25.11.2019 by Anna StünziFindings from the Swiss Household and Energy Demand Survey shed new light on the willingness to live in a more energy-efficient building. Most surprisingly: more than 50% of the participating tenants would accept a higher rent increase than the expected savings from their energy bills after the renovation.
Climate Change . Electricity . Energy Efficiency . Heating
Natural gas: a bridge fuel to nowhere
On 20.10.2019 by Ivalin PetkovWhy we have already ‘crossed the bridge’, necessitating a phase-out and heavy divestment from natural gas. The solutions are reliable, cost-competitive, and ready – decarbonized renewable energy sources with storage.