Energy Efficiency
Articles
New York’s Humble Radiator Is Getting a Climate-Friendly Upgrade 0524
Biden Administration Tightens Efficiency Rules for Water Heaters, Appliances 0424
France Used 10% Less Electricity Last Winter; 3 Lessons to Fight Climate Change 0923
The “Electrify Everything” Movement’s Consumption Problem 0523
White House Unveils a New Climate Fix - Building Codes and Energy Retrofits 0523
Low-Flow Showers Are Back in Spotlight amid Water Shortages, Drought 0922
The Pathway to 90% Clean Electricity Is Mostly Clear. The Last 10%, Not So Much 0922
Europe’s Green-Building Retrofit Leader Is One of Its Smallest Countries 0922
How to Decarbonize Your Home, with Help from the Inflation Reduction Act 0822
How Germany Is Scrambling to Save Energy 0822 - turning off lights, shorter colder showers, cold meals, insulation, heat pumps, photovoltaics.
Stop Wearing Neckties to Save Energy, Spanish Premier Sanchez Says 0722
Utilities from New York to Tokyo Offer Prizes to Cut Power Use 0722
Are National Grid Incentives for Off-Peak Electric Vehicle Charging Enough? 0722
Google DeepMind Alums Want to Bring AI Energy Controls to Industrial Giants 0722
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Government Failure to Boost Energy Efficiency ‘Inexplicable’, Says IEA 0622
Japan Wants People to Use Less Energy to Prevent Blackouts 0622
Amory Lovins - Energy Efficiency Largest, Cheapest, Safest, Cleanest Climate Fix 0322
It’s Time for a Net Zero Building Boom 0422
Delays in Undoing Trump’s War on Efficient Appliances, Lights, Furnaces 0122
Energy Efficiency Ratings Aren’t Actually Predicting Energy Efficiency 0122 - UK building rating systems are useless at best. Higher efficiency ratings for new buildings are inversely correlated (weakly) with actual efficiency (Btu / sq foot) of buildings as operated. Actual operation all too often switches from auto to manual, in order to do things with much less energy efficiency. Actual operators undo most of the measures that engineers put in to make the buildings efficienct. “Like building an electric car and running it on petrol…. The timed raising and lowering of window shades, designed to compensate for light levels and seasonality, is overridden when desks are moved. Large decorative fish tanks might be installed, or kitchens added for staff catering. New tenants might even move in and use the building in ways the designer never envisioned, like a bank installing an energy-sucking trading floor. Short-term meddling brings about long-term inefficiency,"
Mass Save Program Proposes Incentives to Convert Gas Furnaces to Heat Pumps 1121
A New Study Shows Getting to Net-Zero Emissions Is Doable. Here’s How. 0521 - Electrify everything, including industrial processes. Make electricity carbon-free.
A Zero-Emissions US Is Now Pretty Cheap 0121
The World's Leading Energy Adviser, the IEA, Has Turned a Shade Green 1020 - air conditioning, clothes lines & washer temps, working from home, ride sharing
Toronto Has World’s Largest Lake-Powered Cooling System. How It Works. 1121 - It uses bottom water at 39°F and very low power, passive, heat exchanges. And by using gravity more than pumps, it consumes 70% less energy for cooling.
Efficiency Can Cut U.S. Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions 50% by 2050 - 1019 - EVs, industrial uses, aviation, upgrade existing buildings and new buildings, better appliance efficiency, stricter codes.
Lower Cost, Less Controversy - Business Case Builds for Energy Efficiency 0919
The Pentagon’s Outsized Part in the Climate Fight 0619
The 6 Ways We Have Slashed US Energy Use by 1/5 - 0619
No Upfront Costs Makes Energy Efficiency Affordable to All 0219
IEA Reports Large Energy Efficiency Gains but Calls for Accelerated Efforts 1018
Energy Efficiency Is a Climate Policy Trump Might Not Hate 0518
Energy Efficiency Technology Less Accessible in Low-Income Neighborhoods 0518 - focus on LEDs and CFLs
Carbon Markets Pay Off for These States as New Businesses, Jobs Spring Up 0418 - RGGI
Feds Shelve Required Plans to Put Updates to Appliance Standards 1217
U.S. Cuts to Energy Star Could Spell Trouble for Canadian Climate Plan 1017 - Canada’s Energy Star depends a lot on US Energy Star equipmnt certifications.
New York, Other States Take on Trump over Energy Efficiency 0417
Energy Efficiency Becomes Breakthrough Issue in French Election 0417
Don’t Tread on ENERGY STAR 0317
A Roadmap for Rapid Decarbonization 0317 - broad & detailed blueprint, mostly technological, by decade, of how to go carbon neutral (net-zero emissions) by 2050 and carbon-negative afterward. Science journal
Energy Efficiency Could Offset Indian Point Shutdown 0217
Trump’s Regulations Freeze Halts 4 Rules to Promote More Energy Efficiently 0117 - portable A/C, commerical boilers, walk-in coolers, etc.
Pathways to Cut US Energy Use 34% by 2040 - ACEEE 1216 - PDF, 43 pp
EU Energy Use to Fall 30%, under New Efficiency Plans for 2030 - 1116
EU Hits Energy Reduction Target 6 Years Early 0916
New Membrane Could Save $2 Billion a Year for U.S. Industries 0816
Vancouver Plans to Go 100% Renewable. What are the Challenges? 0716
Coal Plants Disappeared from MidContinent ISO -- and So Did Demand 0516
Obama Administration Touts Energy Efficiency as a Climate Side Bet 0316
Supreme Court Backs FERC in Demand Response Power Saving Rule 0116
How Montreal Can Reduce Its Carbon Footprint 0116
Massachusetts Utilities Target $20+ Billion in Efficiency Savings over a Decade 1215
U.S. Government’s Energy Use Hits 40-Year Low 1215
Energy Efficient Cars, Fridges Seen Aiding Climate, GDP 1115
These Clean Energy Investments Could Save the World’s Cities $ Trillions 0915
Forget about Saving Energy. This Is about Saving Lives. 0815
The Next Big Change to How We Use Energy Is WHEN We Use It 0815
Maryland Utilities Ordered to Boost Energy-Saving Efforts 0715
Report Details Clean Energy Path for West Virginia 0615
Circular Economy Could Cut Carbon Emissions 70% by 2030 - 0415
To Save Power, Appeal to Health Benefits 0115
Want People to Save Energy? Just Ask Nicely. (It Works.) 0115
Regulators - Michigan Energy Saving Programs Work 1114
Massachusetts, California Lead US In Energy Efficiency 1014
Americans Can Save More Money by Not Burning It 1014
How California Can Kick Fossil Fuels by 2050 - 1014
Louisville Encouraged to Go on 'Energy Diet' 1014
Efficiency and Renewables Cut Growth In New England Electricity Use 0914
Europe May Cut Its Dependence on Russian Gas by Using Energy Efficiency 0914
Reduced Demand Powers a Growing Electricity Surplus Across Australia 0814
26% CO2 Reduction from US Power Sector with No Net Cost to the Economy 0414
Costs of Electric Technologies - ACEEE 0314 - PDF, press release
Italy’s Electricity Down 3.4%. 33% Renewable - 0114
Energy Efficiency - Which Technology is the Most Cost Effective? 1213
DOE Proposes New Efficiency Standards for Electric Motors 1113
Energy Efficiency Investment Shows Pay Off in New England Forecast 1113
France Used 10% Less Electricity Last Winter; 3 Lessons to Fight Climate Change 0923
The “Electrify Everything” Movement’s Consumption Problem 0523
White House Unveils a New Climate Fix - Building Codes and Energy Retrofits 0523
Low-Flow Showers Are Back in Spotlight amid Water Shortages, Drought 0922
The Pathway to 90% Clean Electricity Is Mostly Clear. The Last 10%, Not So Much 0922
Europe’s Green-Building Retrofit Leader Is One of Its Smallest Countries 0922
How to Decarbonize Your Home, with Help from the Inflation Reduction Act 0822
How Germany Is Scrambling to Save Energy 0822 - turning off lights, shorter colder showers, cold meals, insulation, heat pumps, photovoltaics.
Stop Wearing Neckties to Save Energy, Spanish Premier Sanchez Says 0722
Utilities from New York to Tokyo Offer Prizes to Cut Power Use 0722
Are National Grid Incentives for Off-Peak Electric Vehicle Charging Enough? 0722
Google DeepMind Alums Want to Bring AI Energy Controls to Industrial Giants 0722
Government Failure to Boost Energy Efficiency ‘Inexplicable’, Says IEA 0622
Japan Wants People to Use Less Energy to Prevent Blackouts 0622
Amory Lovins - Energy Efficiency Largest, Cheapest, Safest, Cleanest Climate Fix 0322
It’s Time for a Net Zero Building Boom 0422
Delays in Undoing Trump’s War on Efficient Appliances, Lights, Furnaces 0122
Energy Efficiency Ratings Aren’t Actually Predicting Energy Efficiency 0122 - UK building rating systems are useless at best. Higher efficiency ratings for new buildings are inversely correlated (weakly) with actual efficiency (Btu / sq foot) of buildings as operated. Actual operation all too often switches from auto to manual, in order to do things with much less energy efficiency. Actual operators undo most of the measures that engineers put in to make the buildings efficienct. “Like building an electric car and running it on petrol…. The timed raising and lowering of window shades, designed to compensate for light levels and seasonality, is overridden when desks are moved. Large decorative fish tanks might be installed, or kitchens added for staff catering. New tenants might even move in and use the building in ways the designer never envisioned, like a bank installing an energy-sucking trading floor. Short-term meddling brings about long-term inefficiency,"
Mass Save Program Proposes Incentives to Convert Gas Furnaces to Heat Pumps 1121
A New Study Shows Getting to Net-Zero Emissions Is Doable. Here’s How. 0521 - Electrify everything, including industrial processes. Make electricity carbon-free.
A Zero-Emissions US Is Now Pretty Cheap 0121
The World's Leading Energy Adviser, the IEA, Has Turned a Shade Green 1020 - air conditioning, clothes lines & washer temps, working from home, ride sharing
Toronto Has World’s Largest Lake-Powered Cooling System. How It Works. 1121 - It uses bottom water at 39°F and very low power, passive, heat exchanges. And by using gravity more than pumps, it consumes 70% less energy for cooling.
Efficiency Can Cut U.S. Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions 50% by 2050 - 1019 - EVs, industrial uses, aviation, upgrade existing buildings and new buildings, better appliance efficiency, stricter codes.
Lower Cost, Less Controversy - Business Case Builds for Energy Efficiency 0919
The Pentagon’s Outsized Part in the Climate Fight 0619
The 6 Ways We Have Slashed US Energy Use by 1/5 - 0619
No Upfront Costs Makes Energy Efficiency Affordable to All 0219
IEA Reports Large Energy Efficiency Gains but Calls for Accelerated Efforts 1018
Energy Efficiency Is a Climate Policy Trump Might Not Hate 0518
Energy Efficiency Technology Less Accessible in Low-Income Neighborhoods 0518 - focus on LEDs and CFLs
Carbon Markets Pay Off for These States as New Businesses, Jobs Spring Up 0418 - RGGI
Feds Shelve Required Plans to Put Updates to Appliance Standards 1217
U.S. Cuts to Energy Star Could Spell Trouble for Canadian Climate Plan 1017 - Canada’s Energy Star depends a lot on US Energy Star equipmnt certifications.
New York, Other States Take on Trump over Energy Efficiency 0417
Energy Efficiency Becomes Breakthrough Issue in French Election 0417
Don’t Tread on ENERGY STAR 0317
A Roadmap for Rapid Decarbonization 0317 - broad & detailed blueprint, mostly technological, by decade, of how to go carbon neutral (net-zero emissions) by 2050 and carbon-negative afterward. Science journal
Energy Efficiency Could Offset Indian Point Shutdown 0217
Trump’s Regulations Freeze Halts 4 Rules to Promote More Energy Efficiently 0117 - portable A/C, commerical boilers, walk-in coolers, etc.
Pathways to Cut US Energy Use 34% by 2040 - ACEEE 1216 - PDF, 43 pp
EU Energy Use to Fall 30%, under New Efficiency Plans for 2030 - 1116
EU Hits Energy Reduction Target 6 Years Early 0916
New Membrane Could Save $2 Billion a Year for U.S. Industries 0816
Vancouver Plans to Go 100% Renewable. What are the Challenges? 0716
Coal Plants Disappeared from MidContinent ISO -- and So Did Demand 0516
Obama Administration Touts Energy Efficiency as a Climate Side Bet 0316
Supreme Court Backs FERC in Demand Response Power Saving Rule 0116
How Montreal Can Reduce Its Carbon Footprint 0116
Massachusetts Utilities Target $20+ Billion in Efficiency Savings over a Decade 1215
U.S. Government’s Energy Use Hits 40-Year Low 1215
Energy Efficient Cars, Fridges Seen Aiding Climate, GDP 1115
These Clean Energy Investments Could Save the World’s Cities $ Trillions 0915
Forget about Saving Energy. This Is about Saving Lives. 0815
The Next Big Change to How We Use Energy Is WHEN We Use It 0815
Maryland Utilities Ordered to Boost Energy-Saving Efforts 0715
Report Details Clean Energy Path for West Virginia 0615
Circular Economy Could Cut Carbon Emissions 70% by 2030 - 0415
To Save Power, Appeal to Health Benefits 0115
Want People to Save Energy? Just Ask Nicely. (It Works.) 0115
Regulators - Michigan Energy Saving Programs Work 1114
Massachusetts, California Lead US In Energy Efficiency 1014
Americans Can Save More Money by Not Burning It 1014
How California Can Kick Fossil Fuels by 2050 - 1014
Louisville Encouraged to Go on 'Energy Diet' 1014
Efficiency and Renewables Cut Growth In New England Electricity Use 0914
Europe May Cut Its Dependence on Russian Gas by Using Energy Efficiency 0914
Reduced Demand Powers a Growing Electricity Surplus Across Australia 0814
26% CO2 Reduction from US Power Sector with No Net Cost to the Economy 0414
Costs of Electric Technologies - ACEEE 0314 - PDF, press release
Italy’s Electricity Down 3.4%. 33% Renewable - 0114
Energy Efficiency - Which Technology is the Most Cost Effective? 1213
DOE Proposes New Efficiency Standards for Electric Motors 1113
Energy Efficiency Investment Shows Pay Off in New England Forecast 1113
Low Natural Gas Price to Hamper U.S. Energy Efficiency - IEA 1013
How Denmark Turned an Efficiency Obligation into Opportunity 1013
Conservation More Lucrative as Coal Power Fades 1013
Energy Efficiency - How the Internet Can Lower Your Electric Bill 1013
Mayors Leading an Urban Revolution 1013
Intelligent Efficiency - Opportunities, Barriers, and Solutions 1013
Texas, Where Oil Rules, Turns Its Eye to Energy Efficiency 0913
Boston Tops Ranking of Energy-Efficient US Cities 0913
UK Urged to Invest £50 Billion in a Greener Economic Recovery 0913
Energy Savings Simply in the Power of Observation 0913 - basis of behavioral programs, the big new thing (1.9% of Northeast savings - telling customers how many kWh they used compared to neighbors)
5 Caribbean States Join Pilot for Energy Efficiency 0813
Britain's Home-Grown Energy Revolution 0813
Microwave Oven Rule Shows Obama’s Climate Policies 0613
Firms That Pledge to Save Energy Likeliest to Invest in Efficiency Measures 0613
Cleaner, Cheaper Way to Make Steel Uses Electricity 0513
Copenhagen’s Ambitious Push to Be Carbon Neutral by 2025 0413
Electric Demand to Fall 5-15% by 2020 0911
China Accelerates Energy Efficiency Goal 0311
Wal-Mart Measures to Save Energy and GHGs 1110
Electric Efficiency Potential in New England - NEEP 1010 - PDF, 48 pp
Electric Peak Pricing Pilot 1109
Smart Grid Project Winners 1009
China Targets 20% Cut in Energy per Unit of GDP 1009
States Invest More in Energy Efficiency 1009
Obama Sets 2020 Emissions Agency Goals 1009
Energy-Intense China to Raise Energy Efficiency 20% - 0909
Energy Efficiency Could Save US $1.2 Trillion 0809 - McKinsey & Co. study
Summary of Energy Efficiency $ Benefits - ACEEE 0709
Positive Aspects of Climate Change Policies: What the Historical evidence Can Tell Us - ACEEE 0709 - PDF, 36 pp. This is a summary of the $ benefits of energy efficiency: $2 trillion by 2050.
Appliance efficiency standards, like lighting standards, operate in the background to reduce electricity use, mostly residential, such as kWh use by refrigerators, clothes washers, and air conditioners. Many appliances earn the Energy Star label, as particularly efficient.
2011 REED Annual Savings Report - NEEP 1013 - PDF, 71 pp Electric savings in New England from efficiency gains exceeded load growth.
NET savings (NEEP) are lower than IIE's (gross). Net savings subtract (from gross) estimates of what would have happened absent a program.
Annual net savings from annual program installations, from Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP): Regional Energy Efficiency Database: Program Year 2011 Annual Report. Weighted average = 1.1% of sales.
Annual GWh savings in blue use left axis, million $ expense in red, right axis. See 16% fall in cost per GWh saved over 3 years.
For natural gas, 8-state savings averaged ~0.34% of sales (vs ~1.12% electric). Gas levelized cost of energy saved was ~ $5 / million Btu and average measure life was ~ 15 years.
These first 2 NEEP tables show assumed measure lives that are typical, but not unanimous, across the region.
Massachusetts measure lives, across all programs, averaged 14.7 years over 1989-2002. Now lives average lower.
Measure lives, especially for the biggest saving measures, were evaluated by going back years later to see what's in place and still working. They use informed assumptions.
The 8-state cumulative avoided CO2 emissions approach 100 times this annual 1.75 million tons; they amount to about 3% of total annual US CO2 emissions. The average cost to reduce emissions, using a 10-year average measure life, is about $1.75 per ton of CO2. This is a little lower than the trading price for CO2 allowances in the region and much lower than CO2 prices elsewhere.
The following 2 tables and 2 figures about energy efficiency come from the IIE's March 2013 report by Coooper & Wood, linked at right.
Summary of US Electric Efficiency Savings, Expenditures, and Budgets (2011-12) - Cooper & Wood 0313 - PDF, 22 pp
SAVINGS, EXPENDITURES, AND BUDGETS (2011-2012)
113 TWh is ~2.75% of US electricity use.
DR stands for Demand Reduction, such as interrupting power to some lights or turning up thermostats, on very hot summer days, to avoid blackouts.
IIE's savings are annual savings from annual program efforts: net savings where available (38%), but gross (33%) or incremental (30%) where not.
For the top 10, per capita expenditures are highest in MA ($59), followed by CA $34, NY $28, WA $24, PA $22, FL $20, NJ $18, OH $15, & IL $12.
The MA Savings spreadsheet contains a summary across 8 utility companies in Massachusetts for 14 years: costs & net benefits; savings - annual, lifetime and cumulative; savings by program type and by major technology; etc. Cumulative savings (to 2002) were 57% of annual use, at 3.8¢/kWh, similar to costs 10 years later (see NEEP 8-state table, above).
Below are 3 graphs drawn from the summary. Cumulative savings recognize that a modest fraction of equipment installed in early years stopped working or was replaced (savings expired) by the end of 2002.
Net annual savings have since increased year by year, from ~0.6% in 2000-01 to 1.7% in 2011, via aggressive targets and stepped-up efforts. See NEEP 1013 bar graph, above.
So have lifetime and cumulative savings. Massachusetts energy efficiency programs since 1989 have saved enough electricity to power the state for almost 1.5 years. Lifetime savings from 1 year's equipment installed now amount to almost 1/4 of annual sales.
At left, % savings by technology in other states and in more recent years is not very different from the Massachusetts mix shown at left. HVAC = Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning. Industrial Process. Refrigeration. Motors = motors other than HVAC, Process, and Refrig.
Section Map: Energy Use