How can Quebec and the UK save electricity?
Reducing energy consumption is imperative in the work to mitigate
climate change; however, it has economic benefits as well: less money need be
spent by the government in outsourcing energy supply to meet exceeding demand.
Overconsumption and wastage of energy is predominantly a high income country (HIC)
problem, but the technology developed to save wasted energy can be used
throughout the globe to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
In the UK, the largest consumer of energy is the transport industry. Perhaps the biggest source of wasted energy is found in the braking systems of vehicles. Typically, braking puts pressure on the wheels, and kinetic energy is wasted as heat formed by friction; regenerative braking changes this. A pilot study in Pennsylvania managed to recover up to 20% of the energy used in braking trains at a station. The saved electricity was used to start the next train in the station in its departure. A simple way to reduce energy consumption in the public transport sector, would be to implement regenerative braking upon all new trains, and aim to replace the older, less efficient models. Privately owned trains could be provided with government funded bursaries to replace the braking systems on their trains, with the money provided by the already saved electricity. With the development of the High Speed 2 rail, the journey up the length of the country has the potential to become much more energy efficient.
Within developed nations, supermarkets are a source of huge energy wastage. Keeping food cool accounts for half of the UK chain Sainsbury's electricity bill. A discreet solution has been developed by car manufacturer Formula 1- a small aluminium 'wing' that is fitted on the front of shelves. The wing shaped device redirects the cool air back into the unit, saving the wasted cold air. The annual refrigeration costs decreased by 15%, and saved nearly £10m. In addition to saving cold air, less energy will be used on heating systems to keep the rest of the supermarket at a comfortable temperature. The chain has so much faith in the simple device, they have decided to add the wing to all 1,500 of their UK branches. The energy savings will make the supermarket more competitive, and soon most UK supermarkets will have the same device fitted.
Although the 'wings' are innovative and forward thinking, the Obvious, simple, and most effective solution is to install glass sliding doors on every unit. Despite a saving of 30-40%, supermarkets are reluctant to do this after a study has shown that consumers buy less when the doors are fitted. The UK government has the capability to mitigate these worries by implementing a law that states that all commercial refrigeration units must have the sliding doors by a certain date. If every supermarket had the doors, the competition would be level again and there would be a huge net national energy saving.
Another technological advancement that municipal councils can employ is the newly developed Pavegen tiles. The tiles use the pressure put on them by a pedestrian to generate electricity. A 25 meter long demonstration at the Paris Marathon generated 4.7 kilowatt hours. Another incentive to install the devices, is their wireless monitoring capability. The data can be used to analyse anything from shopping patterns, to improving pedestrian safety in busy areas. If the tiles were installed along busy pedestrianised roads like Oxford Street in London, or the major Quebecois Fleur de Lys Shopping centre, the energy generated could be used to power local electrical systems such as street lights, or an automatic door, slightly reducing the demand upon the national grid.
The Sept-lies Aluminium smelting plant in Quebec is a huge opportunity for energy saving. The current Hall—Héroult procedure is globally accepted as the best way to manufacture aluminium; however, the electrolysis and high temperatures account for around 25% of Quebec's energy consumption. Furthermore, 50% of this energy is wasted as heat, as the high corrosive smelting salts are currently impossible to insulate. However, there is fast-developing research project in place at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia creating an insulting material resistant to the electrolyte mixture. The Quebecois government has recognized the important of the smelting industry to its GDP, and has invested $32.5 million in developing competitiveness. Perhaps they should be investing in the research and development of improving the efficiency of the process. With over 1 million people working in the science and technology industry, there is a huge opportunity for energy saving. If a material was found to insulate the reaction, it would revolutionize the global smelting industry.
Garret Hardin’s 'Tragedy of the Commons' says that it is impossible to maintain current habits in a steadily growing population. Although he is not wrong, the lifestyle changes required to prevent energy demand outstripping supply are reduced by the exploitation of new technological innovations. However, these innovations only improve efficiency, and as populations grow, the efficiency savings are lost in the consumption growth. In the long term, changes more substantial than minor adjustments will be required.
In the UK, the largest consumer of energy is the transport industry. Perhaps the biggest source of wasted energy is found in the braking systems of vehicles. Typically, braking puts pressure on the wheels, and kinetic energy is wasted as heat formed by friction; regenerative braking changes this. A pilot study in Pennsylvania managed to recover up to 20% of the energy used in braking trains at a station. The saved electricity was used to start the next train in the station in its departure. A simple way to reduce energy consumption in the public transport sector, would be to implement regenerative braking upon all new trains, and aim to replace the older, less efficient models. Privately owned trains could be provided with government funded bursaries to replace the braking systems on their trains, with the money provided by the already saved electricity. With the development of the High Speed 2 rail, the journey up the length of the country has the potential to become much more energy efficient.
Within developed nations, supermarkets are a source of huge energy wastage. Keeping food cool accounts for half of the UK chain Sainsbury's electricity bill. A discreet solution has been developed by car manufacturer Formula 1- a small aluminium 'wing' that is fitted on the front of shelves. The wing shaped device redirects the cool air back into the unit, saving the wasted cold air. The annual refrigeration costs decreased by 15%, and saved nearly £10m. In addition to saving cold air, less energy will be used on heating systems to keep the rest of the supermarket at a comfortable temperature. The chain has so much faith in the simple device, they have decided to add the wing to all 1,500 of their UK branches. The energy savings will make the supermarket more competitive, and soon most UK supermarkets will have the same device fitted.
Although the 'wings' are innovative and forward thinking, the Obvious, simple, and most effective solution is to install glass sliding doors on every unit. Despite a saving of 30-40%, supermarkets are reluctant to do this after a study has shown that consumers buy less when the doors are fitted. The UK government has the capability to mitigate these worries by implementing a law that states that all commercial refrigeration units must have the sliding doors by a certain date. If every supermarket had the doors, the competition would be level again and there would be a huge net national energy saving.
Another technological advancement that municipal councils can employ is the newly developed Pavegen tiles. The tiles use the pressure put on them by a pedestrian to generate electricity. A 25 meter long demonstration at the Paris Marathon generated 4.7 kilowatt hours. Another incentive to install the devices, is their wireless monitoring capability. The data can be used to analyse anything from shopping patterns, to improving pedestrian safety in busy areas. If the tiles were installed along busy pedestrianised roads like Oxford Street in London, or the major Quebecois Fleur de Lys Shopping centre, the energy generated could be used to power local electrical systems such as street lights, or an automatic door, slightly reducing the demand upon the national grid.
The Sept-lies Aluminium smelting plant in Quebec is a huge opportunity for energy saving. The current Hall—Héroult procedure is globally accepted as the best way to manufacture aluminium; however, the electrolysis and high temperatures account for around 25% of Quebec's energy consumption. Furthermore, 50% of this energy is wasted as heat, as the high corrosive smelting salts are currently impossible to insulate. However, there is fast-developing research project in place at the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia creating an insulting material resistant to the electrolyte mixture. The Quebecois government has recognized the important of the smelting industry to its GDP, and has invested $32.5 million in developing competitiveness. Perhaps they should be investing in the research and development of improving the efficiency of the process. With over 1 million people working in the science and technology industry, there is a huge opportunity for energy saving. If a material was found to insulate the reaction, it would revolutionize the global smelting industry.
Garret Hardin’s 'Tragedy of the Commons' says that it is impossible to maintain current habits in a steadily growing population. Although he is not wrong, the lifestyle changes required to prevent energy demand outstripping supply are reduced by the exploitation of new technological innovations. However, these innovations only improve efficiency, and as populations grow, the efficiency savings are lost in the consumption growth. In the long term, changes more substantial than minor adjustments will be required.
Comments
Post a Comment