**5. Energy efficiency targets**

88 Energy Efficiency – The Innovative Ways for Smart Energy, the Future Towards Modern Utilities

units (Btu) in 1997 to (608) quadrillion Btu in 2020, as shown in Figure 5.

1980 90 2000 10 20 30

**Figure 5.** Energy use world wide

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

nuclear technology is developed [31].

administrative work (reporting), this would not be the case. The need for energy efficiency, both for economic and environmental reasons, has never been greater. The International Energy Outlook 2000 [30], predicts that energy consumption will increase by 60% over period 1997 to 2020. Energy use worldwide will continue to grow at an average annual rate of 1.1%, and by 2020 the world consumption will rise from (380) quadrillion British thermal

The main factor responsible for the increase in energy demand especially in the developing countries is the economic growth. Confronting the growing world energy demand raises two questions. Will there be enough energy available, and in what forms. Reassuringly, there appears to be no prospect of absolute shortage, at least for the next twenty or thirty years and probably beyond. Fossil energy resources are still abundant: for example, the cumulative production of natural gas has used only one sixth of the 325 trillion cubic meters of known reserves. Coal reserves are even larger, providing a basis for continuous production for hundreds of years. Known uranium resources, even on the basis of present knowledge, could meet the current level of demand for a period of 8000 years if advanced

Quadrillion Btu Projection1 Projection2

Consideration of energy in relation to the building environment throughout the world's developed countries reveals that 20 – 55% of all delivered energy can be directly associated with buildings and industry. Consequently, new technologies applied to the built environment and industry may be expected to make a significant contribution to a reduction in energy consumption. By raising the efficiency of energy utilization, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by 10 – 30%, representing a savings of around 3Mtce per year. Some progress has been made in recent years as building energy management (sensors, HVAC control equipment) and information technology (IT) systems have evolved to a point where Energy efficiency practices could the solution to ensure energy is available to satisfy all demands, to ensure energy is used and supplied with minimal cost/ environmental impact and to ensure energy is not wasted. The challenge of achieving these targets is the driving force for the development of computer-based energy management tools that enable users to understand how energy is consumed within their properties and how they can improve the use of energy resources for effective task processing [34-40]. The Energy Efficiency Initiative, a report published by the IEA, Danish Energy Agency and the Energy Charter 1999, identified four most essential elements of a normal framework for effective energy policies.


Other outcomes of the implementation of energy efficiency in industries can be given as [41]:

	- e. Industries are implementing proven and cost-effective energy efficiency technology projects.

Tools and Solution for Energy Management 91

carbon emissions their impact is huge [32]. The increase in our planet's temperature has already caused sea levels to rise, making floods more frequent and severe. And as the temperature gets hotter, it's predicted that we shall see more extreme weather. It is found that the businesses are currently responsible for about half of all the world's carbon emissions. Even one small office can produce 3-5 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a year. Unless they reduce their carbon emissions, businesses will start paying the price of climate change through more expensive energy supplies and higher insurance premiums [32].

Many companies think of energy as a fixed overhead but saving energy is actually one of the easiest ways to reduce costs and improve your standing. The following are some of the

i. Save money simply by switching machines off after use, or turning the heating down in warm weather or switching off the air conditioning system when not occupying a room,

ii. You can offer better value to your customers by cutting your overheads as production

iii. Enhance your reputation. Increasing numbers of consumers and business customers will now only buy from, or invest in, companies with environmentally friendly policies and production methods. By demonstrating a commitment to saving energy, you will

iv. Encourage more people to come and works for you. People do not just want to buy from socially responsible businesses; they also want to work for them. So you will also

Home energy is responsible for carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to climate change. By following the best practice standards, new buildings and refurbished housing will be more energy efficient and will reduce these emissions. New buildings or home extensions can provide new, energy efficiency accommodations and also improved the overall efficiency of the houses that are extended [35]. For the homeowner, specifying an energy efficient extension is a cost effective approach because the additional cost will be recovered in reduced fuel costs. Payback period is less than 10 years, but fuel cost is entirely

By running the fleet more energy efficiently the following benefits will be withdrawn.

increase your appeal in the recruitment market, and stay an employer of choice. v. Stay ahead of government regulation. With climate change so high on the political agenda, there are likely to be more initiatives like the government levy and scheme, as well as tighter building regulations from the government. Being prepared for these

costs will go down, making your products and services more competitive.

increase your appeal in the market and attract a wider customer base.

changes will save time and money when they are introduced [36].

*6.2.2. Business benefits* 

*6.2.3. Home benefits* 

*6.2.4. Transport benefits* 

reduced for the entire life of the building.

benefits from the practices discussed [41].

the owner can make real savings on energy bills.


A proposal by Escriva to impose seven actions of the base improvement in energy efficiency in commercial building had shown a considerable financial saving is being made. These actions include an accurate operational data measurement, a proper schedule, automatically monitored of the consumption of electricity, individual responsibility for energy use in each building, proactive action to increase energy efficiency, facilities modification to enable easier energy management and an excellent communication between user and the building managers. Even many national governments and international organization have developed new regulations, what is lacking today is the universal energy efficiency index for building. In order to address this issue Gonzalez et all [42] had proposed an energy efficiency index for buildings that relates the energy consumption within a building to reference consumption. The proposed energy index can be obtained in a simple manner by combination standard measurement, simulation and public data base; furthermore the index is upgradable whenever new data are available.
