Energy Efficiency

An overall goal in the energy transition is to provide energy services with the least amount of cost, carbon emissions, and environmental impact possible.

Achieving this requires both a knowledge of the physical processes and tools that convert energy into services, but also developing the mental habits to identify efficiency opportunities.

Topic Knowledge

Many energy efficiency opportunities can be captured by understanding these topics and tools.

• Sensible heating
• Latent heat
• Radiation and absorption
• Refrigeration cycle
• Motors and the fan law
• Computational tools

Efficiency Thinking

There are a few modes of thinking that can help identify hidden opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

• Integrated design
• Downstream versus upstream
• Use of waste streams

Case Studies

An excellent way to prepare for energy efficiency professional work is to conduct an independent project exploring an efficiency improvement either as a paper study or a physical demonstration.