The Greenest Green Possible: Energy That Is Not ConsumedAllen Zimmerman, Professor
The Ohio State University, Wooster Campus
Email: zimmerman.7@osu.edu
Phone: 330.287.1263There are numerous reasons for converting from a fossil-fuel-based global energy system to one that is based on sustainable (green) energy sources and consumption. These include eventual depletion of fossil fuels, environmental degradation, diversity of energy sources, global inequalities, stability, security, and global climate change. As the major consumer of global energy and the largest economy, the U.S. should assume leadership in the transition to sustainability and make its green practices and technology available to the rest of the world.
Renewable energy sources must play a prominent role in the overall strategy to transition to a sustainable economy in the U.S. and world wide. Articles which highlight the opportunities presented by solar, wind, bio-diesel, ethanol, and other alternatives to fossil fuel appear frequently in the popular, trade, and scientific press. All of these energy sources are greener than fossil fuels; however, all have negative environmental impacts and require some fossil fuel embodied energy during various phases of their life cycles. Also, renewable energy sources only address the supply side of society’s use of energy.
It is essential that energy conservation, which addresses the demand side of energy consumption, be emphasized in any discussion of, and strategy for, transition to a sustainable economy. Although energy conservation may not be as glamorous, exciting, or exotic as other green alternatives being promoted, it has the potential to make the largest and most immediate contribution to solving the energy “crisis.”
Energy conservation has a number of important advantages, an obvious one being that it can result in monetary savings on the part of individuals and companies. Conservation measures can be implemented on an immediate, short-, and long-term basis. Likewise, the benefits of conservation can accrue during the same range of time periods. Energy conservation is a proven and flexible strategy and can be applied to a variety of situations, processes, and systems ranging from simple to complex. The skill level and technology needed also range widely. Improvements in conservation can be made on an incremental basis using state-of-the-art and innovation technology and in giant leaps based on new concepts and advanced designs, materials, and processes.
Energy conservation as a strategy also has some roadblocks. Given its decentralized nature, the overall success of energy conservation depends on the commitment, action, and cooperation of multitudes of people, companies, and governments in a culture that stresses individuality and independence. Thus large scale reductions in energy consumption depend on behavioral and economic changes at the society level. Many people view energy conservation as the antithesis of modern life and economic progress - something that will automatically lower their comfort, ease, status, and quality of life and require undue sacrifice.
Energy conservation is also hindered by standard economic policy and practice. Many end-users only consider initial and not variable costs when making buying decisions related to energy conservation. Even when operating costs are considered, investment decisions at the consumer level are often based on pay back periods of only two or three years. Likewise, many companies under invest in energy conservation because they require discount rates much higher than those typical for other types of projects.
Energy conservation can be achieved in two different ways: reducing the amount of primary energy consumed to supply the useful energy requirement (energy efficiency) and reducing the end point use of nonessential energy. The U.S. has made substantial improvements in energy efficiency in recent decades in all sectors of the economy based on voluntary action and governmental mandates. Major examples include power trains of transportation vehicles; building shells, mechanical systems, and appliances; and industrial processing. However, there is much more that can be accomplished using state-of-the-art and innovative energy efficiency technology at both the component and system levels.
Unfortunately, energy efficiency alone does not automatically result in less energy use. Although the efficiency of U.S. passenger vehicle power trains has improved significantly in the last few decades, the overall efficiency of new passenger vehicles has declined due to the preference by the public for vehicles that are heavier, larger, and have more accessories. Likewise, although the efficiencies of residential building shells and appliances have improved significantly in recent years, this has been negated by the increased size of new homes and number of electrical devices.
Thus the importance of the second way to achieve energy conservation – reducing end point use of nonessential energy. This requires a raised consciousness and awareness on the part of individuals as private citizens and work professionals and an accompanying willingness to become better educated about the realities of sustainability. Energy conservation can have a major impact only if it leads to a significant reduction in overall energy consumption.
A major goal of those who truly aspire to a more sustainable economy must be to reduce energy consumption to levels that provide satisfaction in life, but are also socially responsible. Both aspects of energy conservation have to be included – energy efficiency and deliberately choosing to use less nonessential energy. Living green means energy stewardship, which requires frugality and thriftiness in energy consumption. This should become the new status symbol of society, for the sake of current and future generations.
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