Prevention or extinction?

Energy efficiency can plug a lot of wastage and release as much as 40-50 percent of the demand. Of course, this is when done across the board, in every sector. But it is often worth the while to stop and think on human behavior before talking grandiose tech stuff. While simple tinkering is all is needed most times, what precedes is intention. Do we really think it worth the tinkering?

For instance, entrepreneurs have suggested simple innovations with water coolers at public places to save energy (and water!). Almost everyone uses chilled water for rinsing the glasses and most often water remaining in the glass is simply flushed! Isn’t energy wasted – in using cold water to rinse? What if the incoming water can be pre-cooled to reduce the load on the system? It was found that when water at 35 degrees is being cooled to 20 degrees, then simply reducing incoming water temperature by five degrees will reduce energy consumption by one third. Pilot projects with these provisions could register average recovery of 40%.

Now the big question – from pilot to commercial is the big leap. How many of us will think it necessary to install a simple evaporative cooling unit with coolers? Why invest the money for some energy saved? Especially, when energy is still so cheap, and ‘abundant’. Right?

How many of us take the trouble to drive at uniform speed to save fuel?? Will we learn to go slow on a commodity believed to be unlimited? Or scramble in panic when it is too late, to save the dregs?