THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE CO_2 EMISSIONS BY EXPANDING END-USE APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRICITY

摘要

Depending on the sources of electricity production, the use of electricity can be a contributing factor to net CO_2 emissions. What is less obvious is the fact that the use of efficient end-use electric technologies has the potential to save energy and decrease overall CO_2 emissions substantially. There are two main mechanisms for saving energy and reducing CO_2 emissions with electric end-use technologies: (1) upgrading existing electric technologies, processes, and building energy systems; and (2) expanding end-use applications of electricity. Upgrading existing electric end-use technologies embodies replacing or retrofitting older equipment with new, innovative, highly-efficient technologies. It also includes improving controls, operations, and maintenance practices, and reducing end-use energy needs by improving buildings and processes. In essence, this first mechanism is comprised of what are commonly referred to as energy efficiency and demand response measures.