Energy Efficiency Developments


In the IEA’s world energy outlook reference scenario, CO2 emissions per capita are expected to grow significantly in China, India, Russia and the Middle East over the period review. Growth in China and India is expected to reflect industrial growth and growth in GDP, and in Russia and Middle East to mainly reflect growth in oil and gas production.
Usually energy efficiency is often referred to as the ‘lowest hanging fruit’, both in terms of meeting CO2 emission reduction targets and reducing energy consumption. As in the context of the electric grid, energy efficiency can delay or reduce the need for investment in new generation capacity and slow demand growth. For a business, energy efficiency can reduce costs from having to purchase less energy from external suppliers or having to buy electricity during expensive peak periods for electricity and can postpone or avoid investment in new energy consuming assets. In the context of transportation, energy efficiency can be used to reduce fuel consumption and thus fuel costs per mile travelled. For power generators, energy efficiency can reduce fuel consumption per kWh of electricity generated and overall fuel costs per kWh of electricity generated. This is especially important, as gas, coal and oil (mainly used for transportation) costs are projected to rise over the long term, creating a greater incentive to use fuels more conservatively.

An example of the use of energy efficiency is in California, it is estimated that in the first six months of 2001 the state’s energy efficiency measures saved up to USD 20 billion in projected costs for summertime rolling blackouts and USD 660 million in spot market electricity purchases. Measures introduced in the 1970s have resulted in California being the most energy efficient state in the United States in terms of GDP per kWh and per capita electricity usage.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The largest solar farms in the world

Image
Solar energy is gaining in popularity. Most people know solar power as the rooftop panels that are being installed on more and more houses; or projects like Elon Musk’s Solar Roof. However, there are many different applications for solar and many ways energy can be generated using the power of the sun. Electricity is the most common use, but solar energy can also be used to heat water for use in the home, or a swimming pool, etc. Solar arrays can also be used to redirect the beams of the sun to a central point which is then converted to heat energy to drive turbines, much like a coal plant would use a burner – only this time there are no emissions, and just clean energy. A large array of solar panels, be it photovoltaic or thermal, is called a solar farm. Here we take a look at a few of the biggest in the world. Tengger Desert Solar Park Located in China, the world’s largest solar farm uses solar PV panels to generate 1,500MW of electricity. This plant covers 43 square kil
Read more

Water Markets, Privatization and Deregulation

Image
Energy Expert  To bring demand and supply into balance, water markets are necessary. Under a market system, prices are not regulated, but are determined by the free exchange of water rights. In most countries where water is scarce or costly to access, systems of rights for water have emerged either through custom or through laws and regulations. The rights define the amount of water to which the owner is entitled. With rights well defined, water markets allow owners to make better decisions about the water they use. They can decide for themselves whether to use the water or trade the right. The owner of the right may choose to use the water himself when the market price is low. In fact, if the price is low enough the owner may even decide to enter the market and purchase additional water. When prices are high, however, the owner may find it cost effective to conserve water and sell it. While water right markets are emerging all over the world, they are still in their infancy
Read more

The Global Nuclear Report

Image
Nuclear power has been a source of much contention for some time now and the argument of whether it should be harnessed to its fullest potential has been hotly debated. Whichever side you stand on, there is no denying that having a solid understanding of the ins and outs of nuclear power is essential for getting to grips with the global energy industry. Especially now that it looks like nuclear power seems to be creeping back on to the world’s stage in various different forms. While the West appears to be focusing its attention on revamping existing nuclear facilities, the big Asian powers are in the process of building new ones. Japan and South Korea, in particular, are quickly climbing the nuclear energy ladder by producing new reactors and developing an unrivalled expertise in the area. Elsewhere in the world, Russia is currently exploring the possibilities of long-term uranium supply contracts – especially with Kazakhstan who is currently the world’s number one producer
Read more