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Energy Efficiency (Knowledge Base)


 

What is Energy Efficiency?

Simply speaking, energy efficiency refers to getting the same (or similar) benefits from an energy device for a reduced amount of energy consumption by it. For example, a 13-Watt compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb produces a comparable amount of light output (lumens) as a 60-Watt incandescent bulb. Thus, the CFL bulb is 78 percent more energy efficient from an energy consumption consideration. Therefore, the CFL is an energy efficient device. For market acceptability of an energy efficient device, the life cycle cost benefits of such a device need to be considered. Life cycle cost calculations factor in the initial costs and life spans of the two bulb types as well as the cost of electricity. Such calculations show that the higher life span of the CFL well offsets the higher initial cost of the CFL, typically resulting in cost savings of about 60 to 70 percent for the CFL over the useful life of the CFL. Therefore, the CFL is an economical, energy-efficient device.

There are many definitions of Energy Efficiency put forth by various organizations. Some of these definitions are provided below.

  • Energy Efficiency refers to programs that are aimed at reducing the energy used by specific end-use devices and systems, typically without affecting the services ...
    www.pplweb.com/glossary.htm

  • Energy efficiency refers to products or systems designed to use less energy for the same or higher performance than regular products or systems. Energy-efficient buildings are designed to use less energy than traditional buildings; see green buildings for details. ...
    www.mtpc.org/cleanenergy/energy/glossaryefficiency.htm

  • Refers to products or systems using less energy to do the same or better job than conventional products or systems. Energy efficiency saves energy, saves money on utility bills, and helps protect the environment by reducing the demand for electricity. ...
    www.epa.gov/greenpower/whatis/glossary.htm

  • Refers to technologies and measures that reduce the amount of electricity and/or fuel required to do the same work, such as powering homes, offices and industries.
    www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/e.asp

  • Energy efficiency can be defined in slightly different ways, and includes using less energy (kWh) to achieve the same benefits (e.g. internal temperature, industrial output etc), or using the same or a lesser amount of energy (kWh) but achieving more benefits (e.g. a warmer home, higher output). .
    www.reeep.org/media/downloadable_documents/9/0/SERN%20Glossary.doc

  • Any change in energy use that results in an increase in net benefits per unit of energy.
    www.pce.govt.nz/reports/pce_reports_glossary.shtml

  • Reducing energy or demand requirements without reducing the end-use benefits.
    www.sustainable.doe.gov/iutil2.htm

  • Ratio of discharged energy to charged energy in one charge/discharge cycle.
    www.ecn.nl/resdas/glossary.aspx

  • Conversion ratio of output and input energy of energy production technologies and end-use appliances. The lower the efficiency, the more energy is lost.
    www.rwedp.org/d_units.html

  • Energy efficiency is one way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By cutting down on the energy our society needs to grow and develop, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. ...
    www.travelsmart.gov.au/teachers/teachers7.html

  • The ratio between the consumption of energy and a given quantity; usually refers to the amount of primary or final energy consumed per unit of gross domestic or national product.
    www.lineadecreditoambiental.org/html/glossary.html

  • This is about making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given output of goods or services, and of comfort and convenience. This does not necessitate the use of less energy, in which respect it differs from the concept of energy conservation.
    www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/further-alts/docs/glossary.rtf

  • The amount of utility, either work performed or income generated, gained per unit of an energy resource.
    www.wiley.com/college/geog/cutter018104/resources/glossary.htm

  • the measure of the amount of energy which any technology can convert to useful work; technology with a higher energy efficiency will require less energy to do the same amount of work.
    www.wefixhvac.com/glossary.htm

  • The ratio of output power to input power as expressed as a percent. For example, if a UPS has an efficiency of 80%, then 20% of the input energy in lost as heat.
    www.tsipower.com/WP-TSi-Power-Primer-And-Guide-To-UPS-Terms.htm

  • The construction of buildings and their arrangement on sites so that the resources involved are minimized. A result of energy efficiency , there should be a reduction in both demand for resources and damage to the environment due to energy generation.
    online.gateshead.gov.uk/udp/local_plan/written/cpt28.htm

  • In physics and engineering, including mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency is a dimensionless number, with a value between 0 and 1 or, when multiplied by 100, is given as a percentage. ...
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy efficiency

  • Using less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use energy more efficiently: doing the same with less. ...
    www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/glossarye.htm


 

Energy Efficiency and Global Warming

(Reproduced from: Wikipedia)

Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient is seen as a largely untapped solution to addressing global warming and energy security. Many of these ideas have been discussed for years, since the 1973 oil crisis brought energy issues to the forefront. In the late 1970s, physicist Amory Lovins popularized the notion of a "soft path" on energy, with a strong focus on energy efficiency. Among other things, Lovins popularized the notion of negawatts -- the idea of meeting energy needs by increasing efficiency instead of increasing energy production.

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Energy efficiency has proved to be a cost-effective strategy for building economies without necessarily growing energy consumption, as environmental business strategist Joel Makower has noted. For example, the state of California began implementing energy-efficiency measures in the mid-1970s, including building code and appliance standards with strict efficiency requirements. During the following years, California's energy consumption has remained approximately flat on a per capita basis while national U.S. consumption doubled. As part of its strategy, California implemented a three-step plan for new energy resources that puts energy efficiency first, renewable electricity supplies second, and new fossil-fired power plants last.

Still, efficiency often has taken a secondary position to new power generation as a solution to global warming in creating national energy policy. Some companies also have been reluctant to engage in efficiency measures, despite the often favorable returns on investments that can result. Lovins' Rocky Mountain Institute points out that in industrial settings, "there are abundant opportunities to save 70% to 90% of the energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50% for electric motors; and 60% in areas such as heating, cooling, office equipment, and appliances." In general, up to 75% of the electricity used in the U.S. today could be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself.

Other studies have emphasized this. A report published in 2006 by the McKinsey Global Institute, asserted that "there are sufficient economically viable opportunities for energy-productivity improvements that could keep global energy-demand growth at less than 1 percent per annum" -- less than half of the 2.2 percent average growth anticipated through 2020 in a business-as-usual scenario. Energy productivity -- which measures the output and quality of goods and services per unit of energy input -- can come from either reducing the amount of energy required to produce something, or from increasing the quantity or quality of goods and services from the same amount of energy.

The Vienna Climate Change Talks 2007 Report, under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), clearly shows "that energy efficiency can achieve real emission reductions at low cost".


 





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