Efficient electricity use: Estimates of maximum energy savings

The dual concerns about global warming and electricity supply shortages have heightened interest in efficient energy technologies. EPRI initiated this study to develop estimates of the maximum technical potential energy savings. The study result shows that if by the year 2000 the entire stock of electric end use were to be replaced with the most energy efficient electric end-use technologies, the maximum energy savings could range from 8000 to 14400 trillion BTUs, or 24 to 44% of electric energy consumption. Also, the substitution of efficient electric end use to replace fossil fuel in several major applications in the industrial and transportation sectors can realize a potential net fossil fuel saving of 363 trillion BTUs in the year 2000.