Energy Conservation

Use Less Energy to Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions

Energy conservation means using energy efficient measures to reduce the consumption of energy in every aspect of life. Energy conservation will not only significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will also prolong the life of the planet’s fossil fuel reserves. Moreover, energy conservation is the cheapest solution to fuel shortages as well as an excellent way to bolster the economy and reduce the dependence on fuel imports from other nations.

Use Less Energy to Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions

Energy conservation means using energy efficient measures to reduce the consumption of energy in every aspect of life. Energy conservation will not only significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will also prolong the life of the planet’s fossil fuel reserves. Moreover, energy conservation is the cheapest solution to fuel shortages as well as an excellent way to bolster the economy and reduce the dependence on fuel imports from other nations.

According to a report published by McKinsey & Company in 2007, energy conservation could lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 3.0-4.5 gigatons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) by 2030 in the US. This reduction would require the use of a wide range of conservation options, with a cost of only $50 per ton. The cost per ton could be further reduced through gains from increased energy efficiency. McKinsey & Company note, however, that to achieve this reduction, a strong, coordinated effort would need to be made across all segments of the economy and that the energy conservation measures would need to be implemented in the near future.

In testimony before a congressional committee on July 28, 2008, former CEO of United Technologies, George David, emphasized that the best route to energy independence and the solution to global warming is through energy conservation more than alternative energy sources. According to David, about 91% of the energy burned is wasted and could be harnessed for further use.

Another development in the arena of energy conservation came with the yellow alert being issued by the Texas Public Utilities Commission for the week starting July 28, 2008. The Utilities Commission expects electricity shortages during the peak hours of between 3pm and 7 pm, following the sustained high temperatures in the state. The spokesperson for Austin Energy urged residents to turn off electrical appliances, such as microwaves and computers, which generate heat and cause a drain on the power grid, while asserting that the state had enough energy supply. In fact, Austin Energy reported record energy usage during the months of May, June and July this year.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has established four major sectors that consume energy – transport, residential, industrial and commercial. Of these, about half the total energy consumption is accounted for by the transport and residential sectors. Despite the continuous innovation with fuel efficient vehicles, the only way forward is through fuel economy or energy conservation.

The lead in energy conservation has to be taken by the government, so as to create a uniform energy policy across a nation as well as across the globe. Today, there is little incentive, apart from lower utility bills, and limited information about alternative energy sources and methods of energy conservation for the common man. Democratic Governor Deval Patrick inked the Green Communities Act in Boston, Massachusetts in 2007, following two years of controversy. The landmark energy legislation requires utilities to raise their purchases of renewable energy from 3.5% to 25% by 2030. The Act also commits an investment of $10 million per annum to develop renewable sources of energy and to help communities become more energy-efficient.

By far the largest contribution to energy conservation can come through efforts to minimize usage in private residences. With the advent of energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling systems and home construction material, it is up to individual citizens to ensure that their houses are equipped to use minimal energy without compromising on their lifestyle. As energy education becomes a common feature of all school curricula, awareness of ways to reduce energy consumption and the need to do so is expected to percolate down to every resident of the nation.

Following the energy crisis of 1973, energy audits gained popularity. While there are no nationally-recognized standards, especially for home energy audits, some organizations have made progress in this direction. Energy Star, which is a joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US DoE, conduct home energy audits that assess the extent of energy used by a home, while evaluating energy conservation measures. RESNET, a nonprofit organization, has done significant work in setting national standards for rating systems.

Contrary to popular belief, the US is not the most energy intensive economy in the world today. That credit goes to China. But China has more than made up for its energy demand by making significant progress in energy efficiency and energy conservation. In a study by Morgan Stanley in 2008, it was discovered that while the US is at par with EU members and Japan when it comes to energy wastage, the US has made significant improvements in energy usage since 1980.

The largest global effort towards preventing global warming through the reduction of greenhouse gases and energy conservation is the Kytoto Protocol, which was adopted in December 1997 and came into force in February 2006. As of May 2008, the Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 182 countries, including the emerging economies of China and India. The only two countries that have signed the treaty but not ratified it are the US and Kazakhstan.

It is the developed nations that have been the major contributors to not only huge energy consumption but also climatic change and greenhouse gas emissions. However, with the situation getting out of hand, the onus to firefight lies with the whole world, the developed and the emerging economies.

Several countries in the continent of Africa have already taken the lead in energy conservation, foremost among which are Kenya, South Africa, D.R. Congo, Uganda and Zambia. The governments of China and India have also put in place comprehensive long-term energy conservation policies. Japan already has a long running energy conservation program. But leading the race in energy conservation are the EU and Western European countries, including Germany, the UK and Denmark.