One of the ways to meet the growing demand of the world for energy is to opt for energy efficiency. It is akin to building up new plants but sans toxic emissions or gobbling up of rare resources. Efficiency should not be confused with conservation. Conservation means surviving with less while efficiency means doing more with the same dollar. For instance the new refrigerators are consuming 75% of less electric power from what it did in the 70s and yet the models are larger with more features. This can be applied to all fields of activity from housing to transport. Ultimately it will have a dramatic effect on the economy giving it a push up.
This angle of approach has been highlighted by physicist David Goldstein in his latest book ‘Invisible Energy: Strategies to Rescue the Economy and Save the Planet’. He says that if this line is followed then by 2050 USA would consume 88% less power from today. By 2020 reduction by 30% would be possible.
Goldstein draws instance from past performances. Refrigerator as well as air conditioning performances have improved by 4% each over since the previous 35 years. He has got his data from Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers. Last August the association suggested that the government should lay down standards for improving the performance of freezers, refrigerators and washing machines. The target should range from 26% up to 42% by the year 2015. The operations of other appliances would also follow suit on a relatively lesser scale.
Goldstein explained that most of the reports made mistakes because of too much of a conservative focusing. He said, “When you’re deciding how much attention and money to throw at efficiency compared to other choices, a low ball estimate means you’re committing the country to very expensive resources when you could have spent a third as much”.
A conservative approach is taken towards utilities because in some of the states fines have to be paid if targets of efficiency are not met. In 2009 a report released by Electric Power Research Institute placed the possible reduction in future consumption at only 8.7% by the year 2020. Lisa Wood of Institute for Electric Efficiency (executive director) said according to her the realistic number is 23%. But Goldstein insists that his high estimates can be realized fully. His calculations are based on past experience as energy commissioner of California State.
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