Some excellent work at the University of Cambridge identified that in 2005 the world used 475 exajoules (EJ) of primary energy, oil, coal, gas, renewables and nuclear, and out of that we got 55 exajoules of useful energy services – heat, coolth, motion, light and sound. That means that, even with our ‘advanced’ technologies we have an overall efficiency of 11% – hence the “only eleven percent”. We can never achieve 100% but the practical, and even economic, limits to achieving higher energy efficiency are far higher than the levels we achieve today, and improving that performance would bring great benefits in terms of cost reduction, improved energy security, reduced emissions and job creation.
Dr Steven Fawkes
Welcome to my blog on energy efficiency and energy efficiency financing. The first question people ask is why my blog is called 'only eleven percent' - the answer is here. I look forward to engaging with you!
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Building technologies Caludie Haignere capex China Climate co-benefits David Cameron E.On EDF Pulse awards Emissions Energy Energy Bill Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency Mission energy security Environment Europe FERC Finance Fusion Government Henri Proglio innovation Innovation Gateway integrated design solutions Investor Confidence Project Investors Jevons paradox M&V Management NERC new technology Nuclear Prime Minister RBS renewables Research sub-stations survey Technology Tony Malkin uk energy policy US USA Wind farmsMy latest entries
- Navigating net zero and the next phase of the energy transition
- An Update from the EP Group
- Thoughts on Energy Efficiency First
- Learning from the Grand Challenge – the world’s largest e-bus procurement tender
- Lessons from the dim and distant past on how to reduce energy demand
- Book Review: ‘Stewards of the Future’ by Helle Bank Jorgensen
- Constraints are obligatory, objectives are optional
