Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Energy Conservation and EfficiencyTom Manning

http://www.rcre.rutgers.edu/

http://www.cookcollege.rutgers.edu/

“Relying solely on a cheap, painless technological fix to conquer oil addiction is like relying solely on methadone to conquer heroin addiction. Abstinence is needed, too. The energy equivalent is conservation, which is superior in every way to substitution.”Hendrik Hertzbert, New Yorker, February 2006

“Ritualistic calls by utopians, moralists, and environmental absolutists for energy conservation are utterly inadequate and doomed to failure.”

Robert Zubrin, “An Energy Revolution”, American Enterprise Online

“Energy efficiency measures can reduce the need for additional generation and transmission resources…. At times of peak demand, energy savings are estimated to exceed 4,000 MW (approximately eight mid-sized power plants). However, these savings would require significant additional investment in energy-efficiency programs… Additionally, this would require increasing residential and commercial building energy codes as well as energy efficiency appliance standards.” New Jersey Blue Ribbon Panel on Development of Wind Turbine Facilities in Coastal Waters, November, 2005

Why is energy efficiency so unpopular?


• Bashing the competition is a way to sell a product



• We’ve come to accept a faulty logic



• We’ve come to accept a faulty logic• We think technology got us here



• We’ve come to accept a faulty logic• We think technology got us here • It suggests the possibility of change



• We’ve come to accept a faulty logic• We think technology got us here • It suggests the possibility of change• How can less be better? (It’s not sexy)

What is our situation?


• All of our major fuels are mined, then refined


• All of our major fuels are mined, then refined• High density chemical energy (fuel) starts

with photosynthesis



with photosynthesis• We convert mined fuels into electricity or

other energy forms (mechanical energy, heat)



with photosynthesis• We convert mined fuels into electricity or

other energy forms (mechanical energy, heat)

• Renewable energies require energy conversion

What are the implications of a transition from energy mining to

energy conversion?


energy conversion?

• Refining is cheap, conversion is costly


energy conversion?

• Refining is cheap, conversion is costly• The lower the quality of the source, the more

costly the conversion


energy conversion?

• Refining is cheap, conversion is costly• The lower the quality of the source, the more

costly the conversion• The less energy needed, the less equipment

needed

Some Conservation Strategies

• Understand the problem (audits)


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities• Increase production


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities• Increase production• Pick good sites


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities• Increase production• Pick good sites• Use efficient architecture


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities• Increase production• Pick good sites• Use efficient architecture• Adopt efficient technologies


• Understand the problem (audits)• Size equipment and structures appropriately• Share resources• Maintain equipment and facilities• Increase production• Pick good sites• Use efficient architecture• Adopt efficient technologies• Insulate

Efficiency in Architecture

• Passive Solar


• Passive Solar• Daylighting


• Passive Solar• Daylighting• Natural Ventilation


• Passive Solar• Daylighting• Natural Ventilation• Evaporative Cooling

Some efficient technologies • Lighting

– HID– Fluorescent– LED

• Heat Recovery• Efficient Equipment

– Refrigeration– Hybrid Vehicles

• Automated Controls– Lighting– Heating– Cooling

What to insulate

• Buildings (caulk)• Refrigeration• Piping• Water Storage• Dryers/Ovens

Incentive Programs

• New Jersey Clean Energy Program (BPU)

• NRCS Conservation Security Program (CSP)

Most importantly…

• Understand your energy needs• Investigate options for energy

conservation and efficiency first

Documents

Energy Conservation and Efficiency