Coming back to energy efficiency, why despite so many studies that talk of existing technology, has efficiency remained on the back bench? What prevents these technologies from being used?
Why are energy-efficiency programs around the world languishing?. Despite financial incentives for adopting energy-saving, cost-effective technology, and trust that consumers will follow their self-interest, consumers don’t seem to act like fully informed, rational decision-makers when they make energy choices.
Is this because change in behaviour and decision making have not accompanied the programs? Can we blame it on market failures?
Market barriers like the fact that the purchaser of the energy using technology is not the same as the purchaser of the energy itself could be to blame. Like hotel guests who don’t have to pay for their energy consumption, or landlords who buy cheap, inefficient technology because the tenants pay the utility bills.
Or is the answer more simple: that energy is too cheap. There is no incentive to change as status quo is comfortable.
Opinion is divided. What is your take? What can be done to pick the low hanging fruit which has since long fallen to the ground?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Efficiency will not take off unless energy prices become realistic indicating their true cost. It will take political vision and leadership like what we see in California. A newly proposed regulation plans to clamp down on energy consumption by big TVs. This will drive innovations in design.
Just as a regulation in Germany places the onus on product disposal on the manufacturer! This makes manufacturers come with responsible design that ensures recycling or biodegradability of products. Can we hope for our governments to come up with a similar law? Can we hope for such leadership?
Efficiency drive will take wings if the current financial situation continues for some more time. That is for definite. I am nost sure one size fits all is going to work in the case of EE. We need different measures and drives in different nations or at least by geographies. Countries like India should have the boldness and politicall will to take away the subsidies and financial assistance to Power Industry and alow them to come under regulated but market driven conditions. Once the Consumer start paying the real cost of power, I am sure the citizens themselves will drive efficiency innovations to crazy levels.
Post a Comment