The efficient use of energy: Tracing the global flow of energy from fuel to service

The efficient use of energy is a key component of current efforts to reduce carbon emissions. There are two factors which are important when assessing the potential gains from energy efficiency technologies: the scale of energy flow and the technical potential for improvement. However, most efficiency analyses consider only the potential gains from known efficiency technologies, while ignoring the complex flow of energy through the chains of conversion devices. In response, this paper traces the global flow of energy, from fuels through to the final services, and focuses on the technical conversion devices and passive systems in each energy chain. By mapping the scale and complexity of global energy flow, the technical areas which are likely to deliver the largest efficiency gains can be identified. The result is a more consistent basis for directing future research and policy decisions in the area of energy efficiency.

[1]  S Pacala,et al.  Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies , 2004, Science.

[2]  J. Goldemberg.  World energy assessment : energy and the challenge of sustainability , 2000 .

[3]  Giorgio Simbolotti,et al.  Energy Technology Perspectives 2008 , 2008 .

[4]  Lee Schipper,et al.  INDICATORS OF ENERGY USE AND CARBON EMISSIONS: Explaining the Energy Economy Link , 2001 .

[5]  N. Nakicenovic,et al.  Long-term strategies for mitigating global warming☆ , 1993 .

[6]  Mario Schmidt,et al.  The Sankey Diagram in Energy and Material Flow Management , 2008 .

[7]  Christopher Chute,et al.  The Diverse and Exploding Digital Universe , 2011 .

[8]  H. D. Lightfoot.  Understand the three different scales for measuring primary energy and avoid errors , 2007 .

[9]  Kornelis Blok,et al.  The use of physical indicators for the monitoring of energy intensity developments in the Netherlands, 1980–1995 , 2000 .

[10]  David Cebon,et al.  Materials Selection in Mechanical Design , 1992 .

[11]  J. O N A T H A,et al.  Options for Achieving a 50 % Cut in Industrial Carbon Emissions by 2050 , 2010 .

[12]  R. Venterea.  Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change , 2009 .

[13]  C. M. Summers,et al.  The Conversion of Energy , 1971 .

[14]  C. Mandil.  Light's labour's lost : policies for energy-efficient lighting , 2006 .

[15]  N. Nakicenovic,et al.  Regional and global exergy and energy efficiencies , 1996 .

[16]  Ivar S. Ertesvåg,et al.  Exergy analysis of the Norwegian society , 2000 .

[17]  Nebojsa Nakicenovic,et al.  Decarbonization: Doing More with Less , 1996 .

[18]  Henri Moll,et al.  The use of physical indicators for industrial energy demand scenarios , 2007 .