Energy consumption is the issue of the 21st century. The gyrations in the price of oil on the world markets to the global uncertainty stoked by the prospect of peak oil and the end of the quality of life as we know it all feed into the importance of energy to our lives. One way to solve these energy uncertainties is to find ways to use energy more efficiently.
Energy efficiency is all about doing more with less. Cars with better efficiency use less gas to obtain the same (or better) performance and mileage. High-efficiency LEDs shine brighter yet consume less power. Some High AFUE furnaces boast energy efficiencies as high as 98.5%. And low loss, high frequency, silicon carbide semiconductors are making hybrid electric cars more efficient.
An ingenious design by the University of Arkansas called The Smart Green Power Node interconnects several power converters to interface batteries, solar power and the utility power grid to achieve efficiencies over 95%.
I did some research to see what was on the horizon regarding energy efficiency, and I found the following:
- There will be more self-generated power by industrial operations. Self-generated power will obtain greater efficiencies by reducing reliance on the utility power grid combined with less line losses.
- Energy management software (EMS) is positioned for large scale adoption. EMS can help organizations improve energy usage by reducing consumption, maintenance costs and downtime.
- Smart home technology is predicted to reduce energy usage in the home.
Many of the energy efficiency predictions are IoT-related and focus on the benefits of being connected for reaping the benefits of better energy management.
So, what do you think? What are you seeing on the horizon as far as energy efficiency innovations?
What do you predict will be the breakthrough discoveries, new product introductions, or new ways of managing energy in 2016?
