Renewable Energy, Efficiency, Conservation: What does it all mean?
"Renewables" are those energy sources that will generate power and are viewed to have less impact to the environment than methods used traditionally. Solar, Wind, Wave, and Bio-fuels are examples of Renewables. A self-sustaining Electrical "Grid" is designed for the customer to generate electrical power.
"Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished)." More, Wikipedia
Are Renewables “Cost-effective?” Even with subsidies, "renewable" energy today barely makes a dent on our energy needs. Graph from the EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) clearly shows this. "Energy Consumption by End-Use Sector"
"Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished)." More, Wikipedia
Are Renewables “Cost-effective?” Even with subsidies, "renewable" energy today barely makes a dent on our energy needs. Graph from the EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) clearly shows this. "Energy Consumption by End-Use Sector"
The cost of "Renewable" energy can be staggering. NJ has installed Solar Panels on Utility Power Poles at a cost of $770 Million.
Conservation occurs with a reduction in consumption. One example of conservation is to turn off lights to save energy. If you are reading, studying, or doing close tedious work, turning off lights may not be practical. Other examples of conservation include turning off appliances and gadgets you are not using, adjusting your thermostat, or unplugging devices after they are charged. Changing home thermostat settings to less comfortable temperatures, taking shorter showers, and reducing the amount of lighting are methods that involve a change in Lifestyle. More Programs available from the Power Company, including Smart Meters.
Energy Efficiency is not the same as energy conservation. Efficiency uses less energy to operate appliances, without change in Lifestyle, and reduces your electric bill. An example of efficiency is replacing a light bulb with a more efficient one. You save energy, and the room is properly illuminated.
Homes, businesses, and industry can improve electrical efficiency. This graph shows electrical losses in residential, industrial, commercial sectors. Energy Consumption by End-Use Sector, EIA
Improving efficiency of motors is a cost-effective way to reduce electrical losses, and to save energy costs- without change in Lifestyle.
Kvar Energy Controllers by Kvar National improve the efficiency of motors independently, or in conjunction with Renewable energy sources. Kvar National does this by improving the Power Factor.
Kvar National. Saving money in Homes, Businesses, and Industry.
Sources:
“Intelligent Energy”, Schneider Electric. June 2011, pages 12 & 13. “Energy efficiency: the key to a profitable future”
Sources:
“Intelligent Energy”, Schneider Electric. June 2011, pages 12 & 13. “Energy efficiency: the key to a profitable future”
EIA: Independent Statistics & Analysis, US Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.gov/
