Abstract
Energy efficiency can be defined as an energy resource because energy efficiency is capable of yielding energy and demand savings that can displace electricity generation from primary energy resources. Investments in energy efficiency and the resulting resource benefits are factored directly into utility energy resource decision making about investing in new resources and operating existing systems. Defining energy efficiency as a resource and integrating it into utility decision making is especially critical because of the clear resource cost advantage of energy efficiency. Energy savings from customer energy efficiency programs are typically achieved at one-third of the cost of new generation resources. Efficiency programs can also reduce the need to install, upgrade, or replace transmission and distribution equipment. In addition, energy efficiency when integrated with smart grid technologies can improve system reliability and allow utilities to reduce and manage peak demand in their power systems. Finally, energy efficiency will reduce fossil fuel consumption and increase energy security; it is indeed considered the first fuel now by many countries.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
IEA—International Energy Agency (2007) Lights Labour’s Lost. OECD, Paris. https://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/name,3644,en.html
IEA—International Energy Agency (2012) World energy outlook 2012. OECD/IEA, International Energy Agency, Paris
IEA—International Energy Agency (2013a) Energy efficiency 2013: market report, market trends and medium-term prospects
IEA—International Energy Agency (2013b) From hidden fuel to world’s first fuel? http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2013/october/name-43788-en.html Cited 25 July 2014
Jollands N, Waide P, Ellis M, Onoda T, Laustsen J, Tanaka K, T’Serclaes P, Barnsley I, Bradley R, Meier A (2010) The 25 IEA energy efficiency policy recommendations to the G8 Gleneagles plan of action. Energy Policy 38(11):6409–6418
Lovins A (1976) The road not taken? energy strategy: friends of the earth’s not man apart. Spec Reprint Issue 6(20):1977
Meadows D et al (1972) Limits to growth. Universe Books, New York
Yang M (2013) Closing the gap: GEF experiences in global energy efficiency. Springer, Berlin. ISBN: 978-1-4471-4516-5. http://www.springer.com/engineering/energy+technology/book/978-1-4471-4515-8
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Yang, M., Yu, X. (2015). Energy Efficiency Becomes First Fuel. In: Energy Efficiency. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6666-5_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6666-5_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6665-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6666-5
eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)