What is a sustainable energy supply?
Sustainable energy involves balancing supply and demand.
It also involves reducing waste and inefficiency. A sustainable future will require actions from businesses, councils and national governments. Energy demand can be reduced by increasing energy conservation and designing energy efficient homes and work places. This will help reduce the country's carbon footprint. |
Sustainable energy developments in Malmo, Sweden
Malmo's Western Harbour is one of the best examples of sustainable urban redevelopment in the world. The houses have been designed to generate and conserve energy and the transport system aims to reduce car usage.
Reduce energy demand
There are several ways such as:
- financial incentives
- raising awareness of the need to save and use energy more efficiently
- greater use of off-peak energy tariffs
- e.g. the Marriott hotel chain is on energy-standby so that if the national electricity supply grid needs to reduce demand, they can turn air conditioning or heating down without customers noticing.
- using less hot water for domestic appliances
How can technology increase efficiency of fossil fuels?
Vehicle manufacturers are using technology to design more fuel-efficient cars to reduce oil consumption and their carbon footprint. E.g. Carbon fibre, which is lighter than steel so less fuel needs to be used to move the car.
The development of hybrid cards and electric cars will reduce the need for oil in transportation.
Biofuels can also be used in cars such as in Brazil who has reduced its petrol consumption by 40% since 1993 by using sugar cane ethanol instead of petrol.
The development of hybrid cards and electric cars will reduce the need for oil in transportation.
Biofuels can also be used in cars such as in Brazil who has reduced its petrol consumption by 40% since 1993 by using sugar cane ethanol instead of petrol.