Spain: TopTen site

Recently, Spanish energy agency IDAE and WWF Spain (Adena) signed an agreement to establish a TopTen site for the most efficient household appliances.

The Spanish TopTen-site follows the examples of Switzerland and France . Adena will start within three to six months with the TopTen of most efficient washing machines, dish washers, freezers and refrigerators. IDAE will publish a compete list of A and A+ appliances. At first, data will come from producers, but if available, they will be checked with data from tests by TopTen Switzerland.

US voluntary green energy market grows

In the United Stated renewable energy capacity supported by voluntary demand has increased considerably in the last years. Especially large companies, institutions and governmental entities have driven up the capacity. In 2004, more than 700 MW was installed.

A recent report presented by the US Department of Energy (DOE) shows that the number of customers buying green power has doubled in the last four years. At the end of 2004, more than 330,000 customers were participating in utility green pricing programs nationwide, including about 8,100 non-residential customers. All together they consumed 4.4 TWh of green energy, from 600 utilities that offer green power programs to customers in 34 states. This figure includes the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs). On average, US customers pay a little more than 2 cents per kWh as a premium.

However, concludes the report, consumer awareness of green power options remains low and continues to pose a barrier to achieving greater market penetration rates.