Energy conservation are efforts made to reduce the consumption of energy by using less of an energy service. This can be achieved either by using energy more efficiently (using less energy for a constant service) or by reducing the amount of services used (for example, by driving less). Energy conservation is a part of the concept of eco-sufficiency. Energy conservation reduces the need for energy services, and can result in increased environmental quality, national security, personal financial security and higher savings. It is at the top of the sustainable energy hierarchy. It also lowers energy costs by preventing future resource depletion.

Using less energy for a constant service

Modern world focuses more on using less amount of energy for a constant service. As an example, people are keener on using LED & CFL lamps instead of using incandescent lamps while enjoying same light level. Inverter type air conditioners & inverter type refrigerators have already  acquired the market replacing conventional air conditioners and refrigerators which ultimately help to reduce 30-50% energy saving. Induction Cooker is also another trendy equipment which helps to a significant energy conservation, yet hidden because of higher cost of electricity compared with LPG. Efficiency of induction cookers compared to gas and electric stoves as per the boiling water tests conducted by the US department of energy is as follows (Source:US: DOE):

Architects are designers are more focused on using natural lighting & ventilation to reduce energy consumption. Respecting to Green environment concepts, modern designers tend to use automatic switching on & off of lighting equipment using motion detection sensors, light sensitive switches & timers as well as dimmers for modern hotels & Apartments where ever possible.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy policy and are high priorities in the sustainable energy hierarchy. In many countries energy efficiency is also seen to have a national security benefit because it can be used to reduce the level of energy imports from foreign countries and may slow down the rate at which domestic energy resources are depleted. Moving towards renewable energy generation plants such as small & large hydro power plants, onshore & offshore wind power plants, geothermal plants, biomass plants, solar & marine energy plants helps to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels while saving it for the future.

Energy conservation through resource utilization 

Energy conservation through resource utilization is a novel approach of energy conservation which each and every individual could participate in their day-to-day life, yet not much popular and identified as a method of energy conservation by general public. As an example, take the food waste of a home. These food waste is thrown out without consumption & by indirectly wasting a lot of energy associate to it including the energy used for cooking the waste food amount, if it had been kept in a refrigerator then the energy used for the refrigeration, energy used for transporting of the raw food amount from farmer’s place to the house, if it is a processed food then the energy used for food processing, farmers time & energy for cultivating the raw food, etc. Same methodology can be applied for a one side printed paper, underutilized clothes or even to a two inch long piece of pencil. When considering an individual, wasted energy due to one or more of likewise activities may be negligible, but considering 7.6 billion of world population it is not negligible at all.

Buddhist philosophy provides an extra ordinary example of resource utilization through a conversation with King Udeni & Ananda Thero on five hundred pieces of shawls which was offered to Ananda Thero (Cullavaggap?liya). As a reply to the king’s query on the use of these five hundred shawls, Ananda thero replied, that he is going to sew robes with those pieces of shawls. He has said that those will be given to the Bhikkh? who has got old robes and with those old robes, pillow cases will be made and old pillow cases are will be used as carpet rags and when the rags are too old it will be used to mend the clay walls by chopping them with clay. Ultimately resource utilization does not affect not only for energy conservation but also for the conservation of other natural resources. Same wisdom can be used for building a greener energy efficient & resource utilized World.

Courtesy – Mr. Athula Jayathunga -  Director (SLSEA)