Energy Efficiency

4 Key excerpts on "Energy Efficiency"

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  eBook - ePub

  Introduction to Energy Analysis

  • Kornelis Blok, Evert Nieuwlaar(Authors)
  • 2016(Publication Date)
  • Routledge

    (Publisher)

  Energy Efficiency

  The concept ‘Energy Efficiency’ was introduced in Chapter 3 . This concept is not as straightforward as it seems, and there are various complications to measuring Energy Efficiency, which will be treated in this chapter. First, this chapter will discuss the meaning of Energy Efficiency (10.1) and Energy Efficiency improvement (10.2). Subsequently, we will provide a taxonomy of Energy Efficiency improvement measures (10.3). We will discuss how technical Energy Efficiency is measured (10.4), discuss an aggregated measure for Energy Efficiency (10.5), and monetary indicators (10.6). We will pay attention to the so-called rebound effect (10.7) and finally we will discuss new business approaches around Energy Efficiency (10.8).

  10.1 What is Energy Efficiency?

  Striving for efficiency is trying to obtain a certain result with a minimum of input. As energy is used to fulfil human needs, one may define the Energy Efficiency of an activity as the degree to which given human needs are fulfilled with a minimum amount of energy.

  More practically, one may consider the efficiency of a piece of equipment. This equipment produces some uniform, measurable output P, and uses an amount of energy E. Then, the Energy Efficiency η of the equipment can be defined as:

  For many energy conversion processes, like power plants and boilers, the useful output is in the form of energy, and the Energy Efficiency is the usual measure, becoming a dimensionless quantity, often expressed as a percentage. For instance, we say that a power plant has an Energy Efficiency of 40 per cent.

  However, for many end-use applications energy output is often not relevant. For instance, a car produces heat, but that is not very interesting. A good indicator for the useful output of a car is the distance travelled. So, we can define the Energy Efficiency of a car as the number of kilometres driven per litre of gasoline.

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  eBook - ePub

  Building Electrical Systems and Distribution Networks

  An Introduction

  • Radian Belu(Author)
  • 2020(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  Energy management refers to the administration of all energy forms used in the company or facility making an optimum program of purchasing, generating, and consuming various energy types based on the company or facility overall short-term and long-term management programs, with due consideration of costs, availability, economic factors, etc. The main goal of energy management is to produce goods and provide services with the least costs and environmental effects. Building energy management controls energy use and cost while maintaining indoor environmental conditions to meet comfort and functional needs. Good energy management has the goal of reducing energy expenses to the lowest level possible without affecting the comfort, productivity, or functionality of the users or occupants. Energy Efficiency improvements need not sacrifice any facility functionalities. The most important are to save energy, to minimize energy costs and waste without affecting living quality, and finally to minimize environmental effects. Energy management systems control the equipment energy usage, making them operate efficiently and effectively. Energy management systems save 10% or more of overall annual building energy consumption, influencing several aspects of operation and activities including the energy cost profitability, the market competitiveness, national energy supply-demand balance, trade and financial health, environment, occupational safety, loss prevention and waste reduction, productivity, and quality. Energy management in the form of implementing energy-efficient technologies, manufacturing processes, new technologies in equipment and materials also helps companies improve their productivity and increase their product or service quality. Energy management is about reducing the energy costs used by an organization, now with the added spin of minimizing emissions as well. Reducing energy costs has two facets: price and quantity. Energy Efficiency can be defined as utilizing minimum amounts of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and the equipment that is required to maintain facility needed conditions. An important factor impacting Energy Efficiency is not only the building energy envelope but also the management of energy within the premises. The energy consumed varies depending on the building or facility design, the available electrical systems, and how these systems operate. Heating and cooling systems consume the most energy in a building or facility, and the control system of the building energy management systems can significantly reduce the energy use of these systems. There are large opportunities to improve energy use efficiency by eliminating waste through process optimization. Applying today’s computing and control equipment and techniques is one of the most cost-effective and significant opportunities for larger energy users to reduce their energy costs and improve profits. An energy management system (EMS) is an important element of a comprehensive management program, providing relevant information to key individuals and departments, which enables them to improve energy performance and uses.

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  eBook - ePub

  Management of Civic Energy and the Green Transformation

  A Case Study of Poland

  • Anna Brzozowska, Piotr Maśloch, Grzegorz Maśloch(Authors)
  • 2023(Publication Date)
  • CRC Press

    (Publisher)

  Efficiency of the energetics is a broad concept, referring to the whole range of functioning of the energy sector. Therefore, when undertaking any energy sector initiative, in addition to considering energetics efficiency, it is necessary to undertake a thorough and professional analysis in terms of financial, organisational, social, environmental, marketing or legal efficiency. Efficiency measures in the energy sector have a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the region and thus on the economic performance of the various entities involved in its operation.

  In addition to a general analysis of the efficiency of the entire energy sector or individual solutions, Energy Efficiency is a significant issue in the energy sector. Energy Efficiency is defined most generally as the ratio of outputs, services, goods or energy obtained to energy input. Energy Efficiency is of particular importance in EU policy, for example, where references to Energy Efficiency are made in Directive 2006/32/EC on energy end-use efficiency and energy services (Directive 2003 /87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC). This Directive was introduced to implement the principles of ‘cost-effective improvement of energy end-use efficiency’. It defines the terms ‘Energy Efficiency’ and ‘Energy Efficiency improvement’. According to the act, Energy Efficiency is the ratio between outputs, services, goods or energy input and Energy Efficiency improvement is improvement in energy end-use efficiency as a result of technological, economic or behavioural changes.

  The current EU Energy Efficiency targets contribute significantly to the ambitious EU climate goals. In 2021, European Commission conducted a study on the energy saving potential of Energy Efficiency measures, which showed that the economic savings potential in 2030 could be as high as 13% of final energy consumption (752 Mtoe) if the EU intensifies its financing and Energy Efficiency efforts. The technical potential for energy savings could be as high as 19% of final energy consumption (696 Mtoe) (Menge et al., 2021 ). The EU’s experience to date, for example in meeting the 20–20–20 target and the 2030 climate targets set out in the climate law, are clear examples of how Energy Efficiency measures have enabled economic growth and reduced energy consumption to be achieved simultaneously and have played an important role in meeting the greenhouse gas reduction target. As research confirms, Energy Efficiency policies have also delivered wider benefits that can be expressed in monetary terms to varying degrees. These include aspects such as reducing fuel poverty, improving health and well-being, increasing business competitiveness and improving energy security (Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, EU ‘Save Energy’, European Commission, 2022

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  Assessment Report on Energy Efficiency Institutional Arrangements in Asia

  • (Author)
  • 2012(Publication Date)
  • United Nations Publications

    (Publisher)

  175 The Concept of Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency (EE) and sustainable economic growth are mutually related and interdependent processes. Thus, governments are encouraged to regularly analyze and streamline their economic policies and practices with the concept of sustainable economic growth. EE and the energy sector play an important role not only in terms of effective use of energy resources, but also as the main factors in building a sustainable society. The concept of EE was mentioned for the first time in the documents of the “Environment for Europe” Aarhus Conference of Environment Ministers in June 1998. The Declaration adopted at the conference stated that EE policy is one of the most significant steps towards the achievement of national and international goals in economy, environmental protection, sustainable energy supply and technologies that influence quality of life. EE improvements not only improve national economic efficiency and foreign trade, but also enhance people’s lives by lowering energy bills which make energy services more affordable, enhancing labour markets, and improving public and environmental health. Nowadays, EE efforts can be mainly classified into three sectors—buildings, industry, and transportation. In all sectors, improving efficiency before increasing energy supply is generally the more economically efficient national strategy. A portfolio of energy policies and programmes is available to governments for this purpose, including strategic energy plan, financing and incentive programmes, regulatory programmes, government purchasing directives, and consumer education. Well-designed EE laws, regulations, policies, programmes, and institutions can strongly support EE improvement. EE efforts can also be classified into three levels: • The first level is to make great efforts to improve EE of end-use products/equipment.

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