Secretary Chu's piece on energy efficiency

[bananas]

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/munger/2010/03/secretary_chus_piece_on_energy.html

Secretary Chu's piece on energy efficiency

DOE today distributed an op-ed piece by Energy Secretary Steven Chu. It appeared in a new report by the World Economic Forum (Energy Vision 2010: Towards a More Energey Efficient World). The full report is available here. Below is Chu's op-ed piece:

Energy Efficiency: Achieving the Potential
By Steven Chu, U.S. Secretary of Energy

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. For example, a recent McKinsey report calculated the potential savings assuming a 7% discount rate, no price on carbon and using only "net present value positive" investments. It found the potential to reduce consumer demand by about 23% by 2020 and reduce GHG emissions by 1.1 gigatons each year - at a net savings of US$ 680 billion.

Likewise, the National Academies found in 2009 that accelerated deployment of cost-effective technologies in buildings could reduce energy use by 25-30% in 2030. The report stated: "Many building efficiency technologies represent attractive investment opportunities with a payback period of two to three years."

<snip>

I asked our team at the Department of Energy to review the literature on savings from home energy retrofits. We are pursuing energy efficiency in many areas - from toughening and expanding appliance standards to investing in smart grid - but improving the efficiency of buildings, which account for 40% of US energy use, is truly low hanging fruit.

<snip>

First, the Department is working to develop a strong home retrofit industry. We are creating a state-of-the-art tool that home inspectors can use on a handheld device to assess energy savings potential and identify the most effective investments to drive down energy costs. We're also investing in training programs to upgrade the skills of the current workforce and attract the next generation. The Department is also focused on measuring results - to both provide quality assurance to homeowners and promote improvement. For example, we're pursuing new technologies such as infrared viewers that will show if insulation and caulking were done properly. Post-work inspections are a necessary antidote and deterrent to poor workmanship.

<snip>

Regardless of what the skeptics may think, there are indeed 20-dollar bills lying on the ground all around us. We only need the will - and the ways - to pick them up.

[cprise]

1. I wonder how holistic his approach is.

In this economic climate, I think that transportation has to be considered right alongside traditional home efficiency.

There may be much more to gain by emphasizing smaller and multi-unit houses in true urban settings, instead of trying to upgrade suburban white elephants that will likely be abandoned within the next 3-7 years anyway.

By what standards is a 2000+ sqft single family home in a far-flung suburb considered "efficient"? Maybe it cannot be made truly efficient.

[YankeyMCC]

2. Have to be careful

high efficiency can led to more usage.

Energy conservation is what will save the money Dr Chu writes about and more efficient systems will help achieve that if it goes along with education and awareness to simply use only what you need and not see the new efficient systems as a means of reducing the cost and thus allowing you to buy more.

[kestrel91316]

3. Energy efficiency = communism!!!1!!11!!! Besides, Unka Dick said

conservation was downright unAmerican.