Latest news - Building & Design

Building & Design

California adopts state-wide green building code

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month announced the adoption of the first US state-wide mandatory green building code.

British public wants more generous feed-in tariffs, says survey

Two-thirds of the British public think the Government’s plans to pay homes, businesses and communities for generating renewable energy should be more ambitious, according to a new survey.

More incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy, says Obama

More incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are what the US needs, President Barack Obama said last night in his State of the Union address.

UK Government challenges lighting industry to improve efficiency

A new Government initiative is challenging the lighting industry to develop ultra energy efficient lighting for UK homes.

NIST unveils framework for US smart grid

The US Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology unveiled the first stage of a national smart grid framework at the end of last week.

Smart windows could save 5% of total US energy budget

Widespread installation of ‘smart’ windows that change colour to moderate internal temperatures and lighting could save around 5% of the total US energy budget, claim researchers.

UK cold snap cost an extra £1.2 billion in wasted heat

The cold snap in the UK earlier this month may cost an extra £1.2 billion in wasted heat compared to a normal winter, according to figures from consultants Faithful+Gould.

Carbon Trust to help businesses cut energy use with a single click

The UK government-backed Carbon Trust has launched an online advice service for small businesses to help them cut energy use and costs.

National Grid unveils smart grid plans for New York

National Grid has unveiled plans for a smart grid demonstration in the Syracuse area of upstate New York, which it says will inform future development of a smart grid on a wider scale.

Vast gulf between policy and building industry skills, says report

There is a vast gulf between the UK Government’s targets for low-carbon housing and what the building industry can deliver, warns the Royal Academy of Engineering.