March 2010 Vol. 237 No. 3
Web Exclusive
IHS CERA/World Economic Forum Report: Energy Efficiency Has Moved to Top of Energy Agenda
The need to address climate change and the expected surge in energy demand from the developing world have moved energy efficiency to the top of the agenda for government and business, according to a new report by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA) and the World Economic Forum.
The report, “Energy Vision 2010: Towards a More Energy Efficient World,” says that energy efficiency represents a critically important “energy source.” Of all options available to meet growing demand, efficiency can quickly contribute the most energy “supply” while reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security, the report finds.
Energy Vision 2010 includes perspectives from high-level representatives of industry, government, non-governmental organizations and academia. Contributors include U.S. secretary of energy, Steven Chu; Masayuki Naoshima, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan; Exxon Mobil Corporation CEO and chairman, Rex Tillerson; Dow Chemical Company CEO and chairman, Andrew Liveris; and Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy.
The report finds that, despite its crucial role in the world’s energy strategies, energy efficiency is often misunderstood and is in need of a “rebranding” to match up with the reality of its potential.
“Efficiency is often incorrectly associated with sacrifice,” said IHS CERA chairman and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Prize, Daniel Yergin. “Energy efficiency really means getting more of the things we want while using less energy by improving the productivity of energy use. Efficiency means that consumers use less energy while preserving their lifestyles or even enhancing them.”
The relative intangibility of energy efficiency can also present a challenge to a greater understanding of its potential. Companies and individuals tend to invest in assets and products that they can see, feel and touch. Governments tend to support programs that generate jobs and create technologies for export. Energy efficiency is not a thing, but a process and a way of thinking.
The “efficiency gap” is the difference between available cost-effective efficiency options and those that are actually implemented. Closing the gap requires an understanding of how consumer and businesses make decisions about energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency projects must be “investment grade”—meaning that the energy saved covers the cost of the project and provides a competitive rate of return—if they are to attract investment. Capital availability also plays a major factor, the report finds. Even if an efficiency investment is expected to produce a high rate of return, the buyer may not be able to afford the up-front cost. Risk tolerance is another factor. Variation in energy prices and the unpredictability of future prices add uncertainty to the returns from energy efficiency investments.
Consumer behavior is also a crucial to understanding the efficiency gap, the report points out.
“Consumers do not always have the information that they need to make informed decisions about investment grade efficiency opportunities,” said Roberto Bocca, senior director and head of energy at the World Economic Forum. “Consumer inertia—the preference for the status quo and familiar technologies— can also tilt consumers against energy efficient choices.”
Innovation will also continue to play a key role in energy efficiency. The report cites the ongoing revolution in lighting technology—from incandescent to compact fluorescent bulbs to LEDs—as one clear example. Although breakthrough technologies capture the most attention, continuous improvement to existing technologies also plays a substantial role, the report says.
“Continuous, incremental efficiency improvements add up to significant improvements,” says IHS CERA director, Samantha Gross. “The average refrigerator in the United States today uses only one-quarter of the energy that it did in 1975, despite being 20% larger in size.”
Selected quotes from “Energy Vision 2010: Toward a More Energy Efficient World”:
- “For the next few decades, energy efficiency is one of the lowest cost options for reducing US carbon emissions. Many studies have concluded that energy efficiency can save both energy and money.” Steven Chu, United States Secretary of Energy
- “Energy efficiency will be the single most important source of energy available to the world’s economies in the years to come.” Rex Tillerson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Exxon Mobil Corporation
- “I know energy efficiency works because I’ve seen it in action at my own company.” Andrew Liveris, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, The Dow Chemical Company
- “Tapping into energy efficiency is challenging and requires a significant, if unconventional, infrastructure. While other fuels need ‘hard’ infrastructure like pipe and transmission lines, energy efficiency requires ‘soft’ elements like public policy support, education and awareness and innovative financing tools.” Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy
- “Energy efficiency has rightfully been put on the top of the to-do list of most energy-policy proposals.” Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell
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