The conversation surrounding energy use in the United States has taken center stage recently, with concerns about the surging demand for electricity and the rising costs of electrons. Many are worried that utilities may not be able to keep up with the increasing need for power. However, a new report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) challenges this notion, suggesting that the focus should be on using the existing energy more efficiently to accommodate the growing demand.
Mike Specian, utilities manager at ACEEE, explains that while many have been looking at the need for additional supply-side resources such as gas plants, there has been a lack of discussion around demand-side measures. Through analyzing data, Specian found that implementing energy efficiency measures and shifting electricity usage to lower-demand times are cost-effective ways to meet the nation’s projected load growth. These strategies could potentially meet most, if not all, of the growing electricity demand, at a fraction of the cost of building new infrastructure and without the associated emissions.
The report estimates that utility-driven efficiency programs could reduce electricity usage by about 8 percent by 2040, saving around 70 gigawatts of power. The cost of implementing these measures is significantly lower than building new gas-fired power plants. Additionally, shifting electricity usage away from peak hours could save an additional 60 to 200 gigawatts of power by 2035, further emphasizing the importance of demand-side management.
Vijay Modi, director of the Quadracci Sustainable Engineering Laboratory at Columbia University, acknowledges the importance of energy efficiency but points out that there may be limited easy savings left to be achieved. He believes that governments should play a significant role in incentivizing energy efficiency measures and balancing loads to ease peak demand.
Specian highlights the misalignment of incentives for utilities, noting that building new infrastructure often yields higher profits compared to implementing energy efficiency programs. He suggests that state legislators and regulators should consider implementing Energy Efficiency Resource Standards and performance-based regulation to encourage utilities to prioritize energy conservation.
Joe Daniel from the Rocky Mountain Institute introduces the concept of “fuel cost sharing,” where utilities and ratepayers share savings or added costs, rather than passing them entirely onto customers. This approach has gained traction in several states and has received positive feedback from consumer advocates and public commissioners.
Despite the challenges, the Edison Electric Institute reassures that utilities are making progress in energy efficiency programs and collaborating with customers on demand response initiatives. It is crucial to continue pushing for energy efficiency measures and load flexibility to avoid unnecessary infrastructure investments and save costs in the long run.
Ben Finkelor, executive director of the Energy and Efficiency Institute at the University of California, Davis, emphasizes the importance of planning for the future to avoid costly infrastructure developments. Specian hopes that his report will resonate with legislators, regulators, and consumers, urging them to prioritize energy efficiency and demand-side management to meet the nation’s growing electricity needs efficiently and sustainably. The world of online shopping has seen a significant boom in recent years, with more and more people opting to purchase goods and services from the comfort of their own homes. With the convenience of being able to shop at any time of day or night, the ease of comparison shopping, and the ability to have items delivered directly to your doorstep, it’s no wonder that online shopping has become increasingly popular.
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