Towards a Sustainable Energy Balance: Progressive Efficiency and the Return of Energy Conservation

We argue that a primary focus on energy efficiency may not be sufficient to slow (and ultimately reverse) the growth in total energy consumption and carbon emissions. Instead, policy makers need to return to an earlier emphasis on"conservation," with energy efficiency seen as a means rather than an end in itself. We briefly review the concept of"intensive" versus"extensive" variables (i.e., energy efficiency versus energy consumption), and why attention to both consumption and efficiency is essential for effective policy in a carbon- and oil-constrained world with increasingly brittle energy markets. To start, energy indicators and policy evaluation metrics need to reflect energy consumption as well as efficiency. We introduce the concept of"progressive efficiency," with the expected or required level of efficiency varying as a function of house size, appliance capacity, or more generally, the scale of energy services. We propose introducing progressive efficiency criteria first in consumer information programs (including appliance labeling categories) and then in voluntary rating and recognition programs such as ENERGY STAR. As acceptance grows, the concept could be extended to utility rebates, tax incentives, and ultimately to mandatory codes and standards. For these and other programs, incorporating criteria for consumption as well as efficiency offers a path for energy experts, policy-makers, and the public to begin building consensus on energy policies that recognize the limits of resources and global carrying-capacity. Ultimately, it is both necessary and, we believe, possible to manage energy consumption, not just efficiency in order to achieve a sustainable energy balance. Along the way, we may find it possible to shift expectations away from perpetual growth and toward satisfaction with sufficiency

The EU Codes of Conduct: What Have They Achieved and What are the Challenges?

There is no doubt that developments in digital TV and broadband communication will have a large impact on residential energy consumption if no adequate policy actions are implemented. The European Union has established a successful stakeholder forum through its Codes of Conduct for Energy Efficiency. This forum agrees on power levels for defined operating modes, and provides further guidelines, e.g. on power management, to achieve desirable efficiency levels. Two Codes of Conduct are in operation: the Code of Conduct for Digital TV Service Systems (since 2001) and the Code of Conduct for External Power Supplies (since 2003). In 2005, the first draft of a Code of Conduct for Broadband Equipment was presented at the stakeholder forum. Together, it is projected that these Codes of Conduct will save 20 TWh per year from 2010. This paper reports on the first results for the Codes of Conduct for Digital TV Service Systems and Power Supplies, based on data from participating manufacturers. Analysis of the data shows a considerable overall improvement in power consumption, not only in the standby modes but also in the on-mode. Furthermore, the paper shows how discussion with stakeholders based on a common road map provides guidelines for the continuous development of this innovative policy tool and leads to the efficient adoption of the new criteria required to mitigate the energy impact of the new features and functions in the product that are prompted by rapid technological development and market forces.JRC.H.8-Renewable energie

Why Americans Misunderstand European Energy Policies (and vice versa)

Europe and North America would appear to offer excellent opportunities for crossfertilization of energy efficiency policies and programs. But it is important to understand the context and background; otherwise, innovations will be misinterpreted and good ideas dismissed prematurely. Through a survey of the literature, we compiled a list of major points of miscommunication between efficiency experts in the United States and Europe. Examples of the contextual differences that lead Americans to misunderstand the European situation include realizing that Europe has different institutional setting and regulatory power and there is little evaluation of energy efficiency programs. On the other hand, Europeans are mystified why American utilities don’t use “green” and “white” certificates. Europeans still think of air conditioning as a luxury and don’t understand that Texas would not be inhabited without it. Both groups fail to take into account the differing division of responsibilities for energy efficiency between Brussels and the Member States or between Washington and the states. Finally, the same word can have either subtle or enormous differences in meanings. For example “standards” in Europe refer to test procedures, not regulatory efficiency requirements. Although institutional differences dominate interpretations of energy efficiency policies on both sides of the Atlantic, setting up a Rosetta Stone or primer on energy policy will improve understanding and can be a first step of more effective learning from each other

Standby power use: How big is the problem? What policies and technical solutions can address it?

Standby power, as defined in this paper, is the electricity consumed by end-use electrical equipment when it is switched off or not performing its main function. Standby power consumption represents an increasing fraction of energy use in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries; the rapid penetration of new and digital technology is likely to accelerate the growth of standby power use. Standby power is currently estimated to account for about 3 to 10 percent of home and office electricity use. Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) launched a worldwide initiative to reduce standby power consumption, and there is general agreement that action is urgently needed to avoid large increases in standby power use. Reduction of standby power consumption worldwide could reduce CO2 emissions by one percent. A number of OECD countries and regions already have policies to address standby power use; other regions have launched policy initiatives in response to IEA's recent international workshops on standby power. Global policy efforts are needed to influence manufacturers, who generally produce and market products worldwide, to reduce the standby power consumption of their products. Some leading manufacturers are already responding to global calls to reduce standby power consumption by developing new technologies and products.The paper presents the most recent figures on standby consumption in OECD countries and China; discusses trends, details of national strategies, policies to reduce standby consumption, and technical solutions; and concludes with a renewed call for international efforts to reduce standby power consumption