Energy-saving technologies have become increasingly important in our modern world as we face the dual challenges of climate change and resource depletion. These innovations reduce energy consumption while maintaining or improving the quality of life and productivity across various sectors. This article overviews energy-saving technologies, exploring their history, types, significance, recent developments, challenges, and prospects.
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The History of Energy-Saving Technologies
Industrial Revolution
The history of energy-saving technologies dates back to the Industrial Revolution, a period characterized by a significant increase in energy consumption due to the rise of factories and mechanized production. Early efforts focused on enhancing the efficiency of steam engines and industrial machinery, with James Watt's late 18th-century steam engine being a notable advancement that significantly improved industrial energy efficiency.
1970s
The 1970s marked a turning point in the history of energy-saving technologies as the oil crises of 1973 and 1979 exposed the vulnerability of global energy supplies and highlighted the need for more efficient use of energy resources.
In response, governments and industries worldwide began to invest in energy-saving technologies, leading to the development of more efficient appliances, vehicles, and industrial processes.
For example, the U.S. Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA) marked a significant shift in how energy efficiency was perceived. It required utilities to purchase power from independent producers at an "avoided cost," effectively treating energy savings as equivalent to energy generation. This led to the development of "standard offer" efficiency programs and the growth of the energy performance contracting industry.
1990s-2000s
As these programs evolved, they became more targeted and sophisticated. The 1990s and 2000s introduced "resource acquisition" programs with financial incentives and technical support for energy savings, supported by regulatory policies encouraging utilities to achieve energy savings goals.
The late 1990s and early 2000s also saw the rise of "market transformation" initiatives such as ENERGY STAR®, which aimed to boost the availability and demand for energy-efficient products.
This period also saw the emergence of renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, which have since become integral to global energy-saving efforts.
The digital revolution and the Internet of Things have recently enhanced energy-saving technologies by enabling precise monitoring and optimizing energy use across various applications.1,2
What is Energy-Saving Technology?
Energy-saving technologies are designed to perform the same functions as current technologies but with less energy. These devices achieve significant energy reductions (approx. 15%) without compromising output power quality, effectively lowering energy costs and pollution.
These technologies often focus on improving efficiency, such as recovering, storing, or using waste heat, which helps reduce energy losses and lower final energy demand. They are applied across various residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors and are essential for minimizing energy waste, optimizing energy use, and integrating renewable energy sources.
Energy-saving technologies are also closely linked to renewable energy technologies, as integrating renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower into energy systems can significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and lower overall energy consumption. For example, solar panels and wind turbines generate electricity without burning fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to energy savings on a global scale.3
Examples of Energy-Saving Technologies
LED lighting
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Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are a top-tier energy-saving lighting solution. They use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light and last 25 times longer.
According to Signify's analysis, switching to LED lamps could save households an average of 58 euros per year on energy costs. On a broader scale, converting all light points in the 27 E.U. member states to LEDs could reduce energy expenses by €65 billion and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 51 million tons annually, while in the U.S., the switch could save $31.5 billion.4
Smart thermostats
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Smart thermostats enhance heating and cooling efficiency by learning occupants' preferences and routines and automatically adjusting temperatures for optimal comfort. They also offer remote control via smartphone apps, allowing users to manage home temperatures from anywhere.
The Ecobee smart thermostat, compatible with most climate-control systems, uses remote sensors to balance temperatures throughout the home, accounts for relative humidity, and optimizes savings.
According to Ecobee, this technology helps North American customers save up to 26% on energy costs.5
Electric vehicles and regenerative braking
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Electric or hybrid vehicles convert around 77% of electricity into wheel power, significantly outperforming gasoline cars, which convert only 12% to 30% of fuel energy.
These vehicles feature regenerative braking systems that enhance energy efficiency by recapturing energy lost as heat during braking. This makes them particularly effective in city driving with frequent stops.
In addition, plug-in hybrids can travel approximately 40 miles (64 km) on electricity alone before switching to gasoline, which further optimizes energy use based on the source of power generation.6
Energy Star-certified appliances
Energy Star-certified appliances adhere to strict energy efficiency guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. This ensures lower energy consumption while maintaining or enhancing performance. For example, Energy Star-certified refrigerators use around 15% less energy than non-certified models, contributing significantly to energy savings in both household and office settings.
Similarly, Energy Star-qualified room air conditioners are designed to reduce energy consumption by at least 10% compared to standard units. They can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions—potentially preventing 1.3 billion pounds of emissions annually in the US alone. These air conditioners often feature timers and automatic adjustment systems that optimize energy use, resulting in lower utility bills and reduced environmental impact.7
Combined heat and power (CHP) systems
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In industrial setups, CHP systems simultaneously produce electricity and heat from a single fuel source, achieving overall efficiencies of 75% or more, compared to around 50% for conventional separate heat and power generation.
These systems capture heat wasted in conventional power generation and use it for industrial processes, space heating, or other applications, making them highly efficient, environmentally friendly energy-saving technologies.8
High-efficiency solar panels
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High-efficiency solar panels convert a greater percentage of sunlight into electricity, producing more power in the same area compared to earlier generations of the technology. These panels typically last 25 to 30 years before losing efficiency.
With an estimated annual savings of $1,500 on electricity costs, a homeowner could save from $25,500 to $33,000 over the system's lifetime.
This significant reduction in energy costs, combined with decreased reliance on fossil fuels, makes high-efficiency solar panels a notable energy-saving technology.9
Smart grids and advanced metering infrastructure
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Smart grids enhance energy savings by using digital sensors to monitor and manage electricity distribution from various generation sources, optimizing the flow to match fluctuating demands. They facilitate two-way communication between power providers and consumers, enabling users to return excess energy to the grid.
Smart grids can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient grid operation and optimal integration of distributed energy resources. They also enable faster system restoration after outages and reduce non-technical losses, making electricity consumption more transparent and easier to control.10
Advantages of Using Energy-Saving Technologies
Energy-saving technologies are crucial for climate change mitigation, as they reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. As highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), they play a key role in the global effort to limit warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. They also enhance energy security by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, which is increasingly important as global energy demand rises.
Energy-saving technologies reduce energy costs for businesses and households. For example, the Rocky Mountain Institute highlights that if energy productivity had remained unchanged since 1970, the US alone would have consumed 207.3 quadrillions Btu by 2007, whereas actual consumption was 101.6 quadrillion Btu, resulting in lower energy bills and enhanced productivity.3,11,12
Recent Research and Development in Energy-Saving Solutions
Daikin's energy-efficient air-conditioning solutions
As global electricity demand for air conditioning is projected to surge to 3350 gigawatts by 2050, Daikin Industries is advancing energy-saving technologies to maintain its competitive edge.
Daikin's heat pumps and inverter technology in central air conditioners, such as its Fit systems, are designed to enhance efficiency, potentially reducing energy consumption by 20-30% compared to older systems, with heat pumps cutting heating costs by up to 50%.
The company aims to sell 500,000 units by fiscal 2025, investing 300 million euros in a new heat pump factory in Poland.13
Enhancing microelectronics efficiency
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed "redox gating", a technique to address overheating in microelectronics by precisely controlling electron flow using an applied voltage. This method regulates electron movement with high efficiency, even at low voltages, allowing significant modulation of electron flow and reducing power consumption while minimizing system damage and performance degradation.
As electronic devices become more advanced and widespread, improving energy efficiency is crucial for reducing operational costs and environmental impact. This breakthrough could also advance the development of energy-efficient quantum materials and low-dimensional semiconductors, potentially leading to circuits that operate with brain-like efficiency.14
AI-assisted energy saving in home appliances
Samsung is advancing energy efficiency with its latest appliances by integrating software and hardware innovations. Its SmartThings Energy app offers detailed energy monitoring and budgeting for individual appliances, while the in-build A.I. Energy Mode optimizes device performance to save up to 70% energy, similar to phone battery-saving modes.
Samsung's appliances also feature hardware improvements, such as the A.I. Inverter Compressor and Bubble Shot technology in washing machines, which help achieve up to 40% less energy consumption.
Challenges and Future Prospects of Energy-Saving Technology
The widespread adoption of energy-saving technologies faces significant challenges, primarily due to the high upfront costs associated with advanced systems like efficient HVAC, lighting, and renewable energy sources, which can dissuade potential adopters.
Inadequate marketing and poor communication about these technologies' benefits reduce their market appeal, while uncertainties regarding their performance and integration further contribute to hesitation among investors and owners.
Despite these challenges, ongoing technological advancements and increased global awareness of sustainable energy needs are expected to drive continued innovation and adoption of energy-saving technology.
As emphasis on decarbonization and transitioning to a low-carbon economy grows, energy-saving technologies will play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption, lowering emissions, and enhancing energy security.16
References and Further Reading
- Sue Coakley. (2016). Reflecting on the History of Energy Efficiency, While Looking to the Future. [Online]. Available at: https://neep.org/blog/reflecting-history-energy-efficiency-while-looking-future
- Rosenberg, N. (2009). Energy efficient technologies: past and future perspectives. In Innovation, resources and economic growth (pp. 63-82). https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511582554.011
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. (2024). Energy Efficiency Technologies. [Online]. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/energy-efficiency-technologies
- Adam Wentworth. (2023). Energy saving tech can step in to solve global crises. [Online]. Available at: https://www.climatechangenews.com/2023/03/29/energy-saving-tech-can-step-in-to-solve-global-crises/
- Jon Chase. (2024). These 6 Gadgets Make Life Easier and More Energy Efficient. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/gadgets-for-energy-efficiency/
- Clean Energy Alliance. (2024). Electric Vehicles. [Online]. Available at: https://thecleanenergyalliance.org/energy-saving-tips-2/electric-vehicles/
- Energy Star. (2024). What Makes a Product ENERGY STAR? [Online]. Available at: https://www.energystar.gov/products/what_makes_product_energy_star
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. (2024). Combined Heat and Power Basics. [Online]. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/combined-heat-and-power-basics
- Chauncey Crail & Corinne Tynan. (2024). How Much Do Solar Panels Save The Average Homeowner? [Online]. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/how-much-solar-panels-save/
- World Energy Council. (2013). World Energy Perspective - Energy Efficiency Technologies. https://www.worldenergy.org/assets/downloads/World-Energy-Perspectives-Energy-Efficiency-Technologies-Overview-report.pdf
- Goodman, Sherri. (2013). "Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy." Policy. https://www.ase.org/sites/ase.org/files/resources/Media%20browser/ee_commission_history_report_2-1-13.pdf
- Felicia Jackson. (2023). Energy Efficiency: It's Time To Get Next Level. [Online]. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/feliciajackson/2023/11/09/energy-efficiency-its-time-to-get-next-level/
- Hisashi Iwato. (2024). Daikin chases energy-saving tech with eye on Samsung-Tesla tie-up. [Online]. Available at: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Electronics/Daikin-chases-energy-saving-tech-with-eye-on-Samsung-Tesla-tie-up
- Jared Sagoff. (2024). Scientists use novel technique to create new energy-efficient microelectronic device. [Online]. Available at: https://www.anl.gov/article/scientists-use-novel-technique-to-create-new-energyefficient-microelectronic-device
- Josephine Watson. (2024). Samsung's new energy-efficient appliances use A.I. to offer huge savings. [Online]. Available at: https://www.techradar.com/tech/samsungs-new-energy-efficient-appliances-use-ai-to-offer-huge-savings
- Cristino, T. M., Lotufo, F. A., Delinchant, B., Wurtz, F., & Neto, A. F. (2021). A comprehensive review of obstacles and drivers to building energy-saving technologies and their association with research themes, types of buildings, and geographic regions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110191
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