The term “energy efficiency” refers to the amount of useful outputs in the form of services or wellbeing generated by each unit of energy. Through optimizing energy production and consumption, and in particular, smart design, higher levels of energy efficiency can be achieved. Many demand-side mitigation Demand-Side MitigationStrategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change through avoiding high-carbon lifestyles, shifting to new behaviors, and improving the…Read on اقرأ المزيد practices such as using more energy efficient light bulbs or taking public transportation build on energy efficiency.
Examples of energy efficiency include:
- Lighting: the same amount of light can now be generated with a tenth of the electricity. This is also an example of a “dark side” of energy efficiency: rebound. As light bulbs become more efficient and thus cheaper to use, people tend to simply use them more, which partly negates the energy savings which were in theory achieved by more efficient lightbulbs.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): EVs use much less energy per kilometer driven than internal combustion engine vehicles
- Houses: innovations such as “passive” houses are considered energy efficient. Rather than needing less heating, they require no external heating energy whatsoever. In addition, passive cooling can be integrated into traditional architecture through smart design.
The term energy efficiency also refers to the percentage of a renewable/nonrenewable energy source that is converted into electricity in a power plant. Plants powered by fossil fuels are usually less efficient than those powered by renewable energy sources Renewable EnergySolar, wind, hydropower, tidal, geothermal, and biomass energy.Read on اقرأ المزيد .