Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency Read Pages 555 –

557 Describe two main

approaches to energy conservation and give a specific example of each.

According to some estimates, effective energy conservation in the U.S. could save how many million barrels of oil a day?

Energy Solutions: Conservation and EfficiencyEnergy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency

A. Conservation vs. Efficiency1. Conservation – moderating or

eliminating wasteful or unnecessary energy-consuming activitiesEx. carpooling, lowering driving speeds

2. Efficiency – ability too obtain a given result or amount of output while using less energy input

Accomplished with better technology Ex. designing and

manufacturing more fuel-efficient automobiles

Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency B. Energy intensity – a country’s

or region’s total energy consumption divided by is GDPa. In developed countries,

energy intensity is considerably higher in the US and Canada than in Japan and Europe

b. Energy intensity in developing countries is substantially less than it is in industrialized countries, but the greatest increase in energy consumption is in developing nations (as countries boost their economic development, energy demands increase)

Energy Solutions: Conservation and EfficiencyC. Energy-efficient technologies

1. Homes, Cars, and Industries:

a. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs require 25% of the energy used by incandescent lightbulbs and last 9x longer

b. “Superinsulated” homes use 70-90% less heat than those insulated by standard methods

Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency

C. Appliances:

i) National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) sets national appliance standards for major home appliances

ii) Requires manufacturers to provide Energy Guide labels on all new appliances to provide estimates of annual operating costs

Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiencyd. Automobile efficiency has improved dramatically as

a result of the use of lighter materials and designs that reduce air drag

CAFÉ Standards – corporate average fuel efficiency These standards set benchmarks for auto

manufacturers to meet. The average fuel efficiency of new vehicles must be raised to 35 mpg by the year 2020

e. New aircraft are much more fuel-efficient than older models

f. Technological improvements in the paper making industry translates to increased profits for manufacturers

2.

Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency

Cogeneration / Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - involves the production of two useful forms of energy from the same fuel; typically involves the generation of electricity, and then the steam produced during the process is used rather than wasted

Energy Solutions: Conservation and Efficiency

2. Electricity Deregulation – competitive utilities are more likely than regulated monopolies to adopt technological advances that increase energy efficiency and thereby lower costs

E. Energy Conservation at the Individual Level1. Lower thermostat in winter

and raise it in summer2. Turn off lights when you

leave a room3. Drive more slowly4. Utilize carpooling or public

transportation