“Energy efficiency offers a vast, low-cost energy resource for the US economy – but only if the nation can craft a comprehensive and innovative approach to unlock it…If executed at scale, a holistic approach would yield gross energy savings worth more than $1.2 trillion, well above the $520 billion needed for upfront investment in efficiency measures (not including program costs). Such a program is estimated to reduce end-use energy consumption in 2020 by 9.1 quadrillion BTUs, roughly 23% of projected demand, potentially abating up to 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gases annually.”
This is the central conclusion of McKinsey’s 2010 report, “Energy Efficiency: A Compelling Global Resource.” Their research into the impact of energy efficiency measures has produced impressive projections at just how incredibly effective simple technologies can be in both an environmental and economic standpoint.
Key findings projected by 2020:
• Energy efficiency can be looked at as a national resource since it can be harvested
• High ROI – gross energy savings worth over $1.2 trillion for a $520 billion upfront investment
• Reduced Energy Consumption – projected to save 23% of projected energy demand (9.1 quadrillion BTUs)
• Reduced Emissions – could abate up to 1.1 gigatons (1.1 billion tons) of greenhouse gases annually
Green technology used to make buildings more energy efficient is an especially timely topic for building owners, as President Obama has called for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and likened emissions as one of the biggest global threats. Like any other natural resource, the potential of energy efficiency relies on how the existing supply is harvested. An initial investment of $520 billion to enact energy saving measures is not only a positive economic factor with the creation of green industry jobs, but the estimated 23% reduction in energy demand they could bring can save building owners significantly on their building costs over time.
As impressive as the savings may sound, the potential is even greater – McKinsey noted the figures were intended to be conservative: “[Our report] provides a relatively conservative representation of the potential for NPV-positive energy efficiency from the perspective of policy makers and business leaders who must make decisions in the broad interests of society…”
For example, Thermolite has observed energy demand reduction of up to 65% in buildings where we have installed our energy saving window systems. Our product installs on the interior of existing windows to save energy in windows by improving thermal performance and regulating solar heat gain, while reducing air infiltration. This demonstrates that strategically harvesting one component of a building’s energy efficiency as a resource – windows – can produce great results. It’s simply a matter of reframing how we think of energy efficiency. Instead, we should be recognizing it as a resource that has a preexisting supply that can be used and not something that must be created from scratch.
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The Thermolite engineering staff is an innovative structural, energy modelling, and implementation team that works to create unique window systems alternatives to traditional replacement windows. Our systems protect against blasts, hurricanes, and sound, while being energy efficient and quick and easy to install. We serve a wide range of industry buildings including government, military, historical, schools and universities, financial, health care, hospitality, and offices. Contact us today to learn how we could update your building’s window systems.
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