essay on consumption of electricity

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Essay On Electricity

Electricity is a form of energy, as we have other forms of energy like heat and light. We feel the existence of electricity when a refrigerator is on, an electric heater is on, or when an electric bulb is switched on. It is fascinating that electrical appliances like ceiling fans, mobile phones, laptops, etc., surround us. Also, the natural phenomenon of lightning striking the ground involves electricity. Here are a few sample essays on ‘Electricity’.

100 Words Essay On Electricity

Electricity is a form of energy that is used to power lights, appliances, and many other things in our homes and buildings. It is created by generators, which use fuel to create a flow of electric charges. These charges are then sent through wires to our homes, where they power everything from our lights to our televisions.

Electricity is a powerful force that can be both helpful and dangerous. It is important to always be careful around electricity and to follow safety rules when using it.

Overall, electricity is an essential part of modern life and is used to power many of the things that make our lives easier and more convenient. Understanding how electricity works and how to use it safely is an important part of being a responsible student and citizen.

200 Words Essay On Electricity

Electricity is a form of energy that is all around us and plays a vital role in our daily lives. It is the force that powers everything from the lights in our homes to the computers we use at school.

Science Behind It | Electricity is a flow of tiny particles called electrons. These electrons flow through wires and create a current, which is what powers our lights and appliances. The electricity that we use in our homes is created at power plants, where generators use fuel like coal, natural gas, or wind to create the flow of electrons. It is sent through a network of transmission and distribution lines, which are like a big spider web, to reach different parts of the country. From there, it is sent to homes and buildings through smaller wires called service lines.

It is important to remember that electricity can be both helpful and dangerous. It is important to follow safety rules when using electricity. For example, it is important to never touch electrical wires with wet hands or to plug too many things into one outlet. Always be sure to ask an adult for help if you have any questions or concerns about electricity.

500 Words Essay On Electricity

Electricity is a powerful force that has a significant impact on our daily lives. It is the energy that powers everything from the lights in our homes to the computers we use at school. It enables us to have access to modern appliances, technology and communication.

How Electricity Affects Our Lives

One of the most obvious ways that electricity affects our lives is by providing the power for our lights, appliances, and other devices. Without electricity, we would have to rely on things like candles and manual labor to get things done. This would make our lives much more difficult and less convenient.

Electricity also plays a vital role in communication, it allows us to stay connected with friends and family through phone calls, text messages, and social media. It also allows us to access information and entertainment through the internet, television, and radio.

Furthermore, electricity also contributes to the development of industries, it is used to power machines and equipment that are essential for manufacturing and production, without electricity, it would be difficult to produce goods and services.

However, it is also important to consider the negative effects of electricity on the environment. The production of electricity often involves burning fossil fuels which release pollutants into the air and contribute to global warming. Moreover, the overuse of electricity can lead to power shortages and blackouts.

Overall, electricity has a profound effect on our lives, it makes our lives easier and more convenient, it contributes to communication and industry development, but it also has negative effects on the environment. It is important to be aware of how we use electricity and to make a conscious effort to use it responsibly and efficiently.

Discovery Of Electricity

The discovery of electricity is a story that spans centuries, with many important figures contributing to our understanding of this powerful force.

It all began in ancient times, with the Greeks and Romans experimenting with static electricity by rubbing different materials together. They observed that certain materials, such as amber, would become charged and attract nearby objects.

In the 1600s, English scientist William Gilbert conducted extensive research on electricity and magnetism, and coined the term "electricus," meaning "like amber." He also discovered that many materials, not just amber, could become charged.

In the 1700s, several scientists made significant advancements in the understanding of electricity. Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment, proving that lightning was a form of electricity. He also invented the lightning rod, which protected buildings from lightning strikes.

In the 1800s, scientists such as Alessandro Volta and Michael Faraday made even more strides in our understanding of electricity. Volta created the first battery, while Faraday discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction, which is the basis for the operation of generators and motors.

As the years went on, scientists continued to make advancements in our understanding of electricity. The invention of the light bulb by Thomas Edison in 1879 changed the world forever, making electric light a practical reality for the first time.

Throughout the years, many people have contributed to our understanding of electricity, and it is a story of curiosity, experimentation and perseverance. Today we are able to enjoy the convenience and comfort that electricity has brought to our lives, but it all started with a spark of curiosity and a desire to understand the world around us.

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Save Electricity Essay: Format & Samples

• Updated on  
• Dec 9, 2020

Energy conservation has become a need of the hour in today’s world! Electricity being an important source of energy is also wasted the most by humans! Wondering how saving electricity helps the environment? When you consume less electricity, you are reducing the toxic fumes released by power plants. And it also saves your money simultaneously! As learning methods of conserving energy is an essential part of life today, education institutes have come forward to spread awareness at an early stage, either by hosting a slogan or poster competition or by asking students to write save electricity essay! In this blog, we will be explaining how to write a spectacular save electricity essay!

This Blog Includes:

Why do we need to save electricity, essay format and examples, sample essay 1 (300-350 words), sample essay 2 on save electricity (250-300 words), sample essay 3 (500 words).

For both saving money and saving energy, preserving electricity is critical. This is why we should save electricity –

• Saving electricity will help you save money
• There will be a decrease in pollution and carbon emissions
• It will also lead to a decrease in the use of fossil fuels

Students need to become familiar with the style of essay writing before drafting an essay on Save Electricity, in order to know how to structure the essay on a given subject. Take a look at the following pointers that focus on the 300-350 word essay format: 

We assume, therefore, that this blog has helped you understand the main features of the Save Electricity essay. If you are interested in environmental studies and planning to pursue courses in the area, use the AI-based tool of Leverage Edu to search through a wide range of programmes available worldwide in this specific field and find the best combination of courses and universities that matches your interests, priorities and ambitions.

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Essays About Electricity: Top 5 Examples and Prompts

Electricity is an essential part of our everyday lives; this guide will show you top examples of essays about electricity and exciting writing prompts for your next essay.

For many people, it’s impossible to imagine a world without electricity. It heats up or cools down the house, powers our light sources, and fuels our clothes and mobile phones. So there’s no denying the importance of electricity in the modern era.

Have you ever thought about writing an essay to figure out how much electricity has affected your life? Reading other essays about electricity is a great way to gather information and inspiration for writing. We also included a list of prompts for writers who want to focus on writing about a particular topic involving electricity.

1. Short Essay on Electricity by Shivane

2. what are the uses of electricity in modern life by mahtab alam quddusi, 3. save electricity essay for students and children by anonymous on readingjunction, 4. why is my electric bill so high and how do i fix it by ansul rajgharia, 5. essay on electricity by ravi, write essays about electricity with these 10 prompts, 1. importance of electricity in the medical field, 2. save electricity to reduce power costs, 3. industries that consume the most electricity or power, 4. the science of electro’s powers + electricity manipulation superpowers, 5. lightning storms and why they’re bad for you, 6. how electroshock weapons work, 7. explaining electricity measurement units, 8. countries that generate the most electricity, 9. electricity in music, 10. making music with tesla coils and electricity.

“Electricity is a means of communication. Telegraph and telegram device is based on electricity.”

This essay discusses the various uses of electricity and how it has been vital to the progress and development of machines and modern life.

“Today, with the discovery of electricity, human life has become easier by using electricity to perform many functions every day, such as lighting, heating, cooling of homes and operating various electrical appliances.”

Quddusi’s essay topic focuses on the applications of electricity today, including security, medical treatments, and global communication. These applications of electricity emphasize its importance in modern times.

  “Scientists also believe that if we use the resources unchecked, we will consume so much that we will soon run out of it. In simpler, we must preserve electricity so that we can preserve the resources.”

After talking about the importance of electricity, this short essay focuses on how much electricity gets used and wasted today. It also provides solutions to the electricity problem, including using renewable energy sources.

“When it comes to appliances, my advice is to balance effort and reward. Unplugging your cell phone charger may only save a few cents a month, so you could let that go.”

Rajgharia explains how every little thing you do at home that concerns electronics or appliances can affect your electricity bill. The essay also provides various methods of saving electricity and cutting down on power costs.

“It has relieved mankind from much of drudgery and labor. Consequently, man has more spare time to be devoted to hobbies, pastimes, and higher and more meaningful pursuits.”

Ravi’s essay focuses on the applications of electricity and energy today. The writer goes so far as to say that electricity is another name for progress and prosperity. The piece is an excellent example of electricity and its importance in the modern world.

Read and choose one of the essay prompts we listed below to get an idea for jumpstarting your essay writing.

Electricity plays a vital role in medicine and the medical field. For example, computers used for analyzing blood samples and other data need electricity. In addition, professional health workers use defibrillators to give patients a dose of electric current. You can write a long or short essay about the role of electricity in medicine. 

For those interested in the machines that use electricity, consider writing essays about technology .

Electricity has become more expensive due to high demand and scarcity. Using less power can help you pay less on your monthly electric bill. Consider writing about how homeowners and students could cut down electricity use to reduce their energy bills. These may include using task lighting, taking shorter showers, and unplugging electronics.

Are you a business student who wants to share what you learned about the different industries? This essay idea incorporates power usage into your interest. Don’t forget to be extra thorough with your research before writing.

Electrical engineering majors who want to be extra creative with their essays should consider integrating fiction into their writing. Use and apply what you’ve learned in class theoretically to the superheroes and supervillains from popular media. A good example is Marvel’s Thor.

Getting hit by lightning is more likely to happen to you than winning a lottery ticket. It’s why you shouldn’t go outside during lightning storms. You can use this essay idea to focus on the effects of lightning on a person’s body and how badly it can damage them. Include cool facts like the scars that a lightning strike leaves, also known as Lichtenberg scars.

Tasers are popular as self-defense tools for civilians and disabling weapons for police officers. Have you ever wondered how they work? Read about electroshock weapons and then write an essay to explain the process. You can also include an explanation of the effects of the electric current and why it causes people to freeze up and often fall over.

This essay prompt is a perfect topic for students still learning the basics of electricity. Write about the different units used to measure electricity. Start from watts, volts, ohms, and amps. Try to explain these measurements in detail and write about when or where they’re used.

People get electricity from various resources. Most countries use nuclear energy, coal, renewable energy, and natural gas to produce electricity. Some nations can make much more electricity because of their size and resources. These include China, India, Russia, and the United States.

Modern music wouldn’t be the same without electricity. We wouldn’t have electric instruments, like electric guitars and electric pianos. We also wouldn’t be able to record or listen to any music without electricity to power recording stations or speakers. We wouldn’t have music genres like EDM or rock without electricity. That is how vital electricity is to music.

Here is another music-related and electricity-related essay topic. Did you know that electricity can make music? Instead of using a musical instrument, you can use a tesla coil as the sound source. When tesla coils switch on and off, it causes the air molecules around it to vibrate, creating sound. You can even change the frequency of a tesla coil to get different pitches or notes. If you’ve tried this experiment, consider writing about it.

 Choose among the different essay formats before you write a full essay.   

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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• Save Electricity Essay

All About Electricity

Electricity is the best gift of science to mankind. This is the age of electricity. Electricity is a source of light, heat, and other comforts. Right from house lighting to the running of giant factories to streets and parks, it is the invisible current that makes these entities run. Electricity supplies all types of energy to man in order to improve his scientific inventions and increase his social amenities.  Heating and cooling processes are also executed by it. All you need to do is just switch on a button and there you have ample power.

Electricity is primarily produced from coal and water. It is also produced from other sources like nuclear energy, solar energy, etc. but still, production is very less. Efforts are being made to produce more electricity from solar, wind, and nuclear sources so that the natural sources can be conserved. 

Introduction:

Electricity is one of the most important sources in the life of a human. Especially now that we have entered the 21 st century, there is hardly anything that does not work on electricity. However, due to the huge demand for electricity worldwide, it has become hard to produce electricity and provide it to everyone. However, if proper steps and measures are taken to Save Electricity then it is possible that both mankind that is to come and the mankind currently existing can use them. Here is a guide on how you can write the Save Electricity Essay via Vedantu and express all your views on the same. This essay writing helps not only kids from high classes but also those students present in the lower grades.

Need for Electricity

The modern world without electricity is impossible now and it is needed in every sphere of life. Electricity facilitates technological advancement and supports a wide range of products and services that enhance our quality of life and stimulate economic productivity. Thus, demand for power is directly correlated with population and economic growth. 

Houses, streets, parks, offices, shops, malls, etc. are lighted with electricity. Modern communications and transport are rendered safer, speedier, and more comfortable by the introduction of mobile phones, the Internet, the electric train, tram, and motor.

The introduction of electrical devices has simplified labor in every form in the house, in the office, and in the factory. Among domestic services, equipment of every type is functioned more cheaply and efficiently by electricity. Many labor-saving and time-saving devices using electrical energy have been introduced, to minimize drudgery at home and office. 

Radio, television, cooler, heater, washing machine, air conditioners, all depend on electricity. There is no grandeur in festivals and celebrations without electricity. 

Electricity has brought a great revolution in the field of medical science. It plays an important role in the treatment of diseases by electrotherapy. 

Electricity has changed the way of farming. In fact, it has mechanized farming. It has helped us to distribute the water of the rivers into canals and irrigate dry and barren lands. Without electricity, we cannot imagine industrial growth. All types of industries require electricity to function.

How to Save Electricity?

Electricity generation depends largely on non-replaceable resources. Thermal power needs coal and other fossil fuel for generating electricity. This fuel has limited reserves and it will take millions of years to replenish these reserves.

There are many different ways in which we can save electricity and thus conserve energy. At home, elementary actions should be taken such as unplugging computers, turning off televisions in order to reduce our consumption of electricity, thereby conserving energy. You can install thermostat technology at your home and connect the different appliances and gadgets that draw power from all those outlets that are not even in use. Solar panels can be planted to reduce the consumption of electricity.

Furthermore, we can use more natural light. In the daytime instead of switching on lights and fans, we can keep our windows open to get natural light and air.

We can increase our outdoor activities more like playing, gardening, reading, etc. so that TV time can be reduced. We can switch our office work and other related tasks to laptops from desktops because laptops consume less energy than desktops. 

Tips to Write a Good Save Electricity Essay

Make sure you use short lines

Make the lines used in the essay a bit interesting to the readers

Do not use many complex words and keep them as simple as possible.

Electricity is the backbone of modern society. Our life will go back to the primitive age without electricity. There is a need for rational use of electricity, as it is largely produced from non-renewable sources like coal and water. Alternative sources of electricity should be explored to meet the gap between its demand and supply. We should take every step to conserve sources of electricity for future generations.

FAQs on Save Electricity Essay

1. What are all the parts of the essay that need to be covered while writing the Save Electricity Essay?

There are particular parts of the essay that need to be included in the Save Electricity Essay in order to provide the best essay possible. Without these sections, the essay will look all clustered, and hence including them while writing your essay is a must. Here are the parts that you need to add:

1. Introduction:

An introduction should not be too lengthy. Its main purpose should be to attract readers. Students should write at least 50 to 60 words in this section.

The body is the main part of the essay as it will consist of everything about the topic. This section will contain about 100 to 150 words.

3. Conclusion:

This section will mostly focus on providing the summary of the entire essay along with the closing statement. There will be only 2 to 3 lines with about 30 to 40 words.

2. What are some of the uses of electricity?

Leading a comfortable life needs electricity in it and hence electricity has become one of the most important aspects of our lives. For example, if you were to attend a class online you would need electricity. Similarly, electricity will be needed by a surgeon to conduct successful surgeries. Apart from these passengers who are traveling by railways or airplanes can only do so if proper electricity has been provided to the engine. This means that various means of transportations and other objects are run on electricity and if electricity is not used well then these operations might not be possible.

3. How does writing the Save Electricity Essay help students understand the importance of electricity?

When students write on the Save Electricity Essay they get to know various aspects related to electricity as follows:

• Importance of electricity
• Uses of electricity
• Why is electricity being one of the scarce resources nowadays
• How electricity can be saved for future generations

All of these aspects once understood by students will also be able to be a part of the sustainable environment. Vedantu helps students get an idea about the same with a sample Save Electricity Essay that helps them from one on their own. Students can also refer to the Vedantu NCERT Solutions that help them study well and get good grades.

4. How to write a short Save Electricity Essay for my class assignment?

If you are focusing on writing a short Save Electricity Essay for your class assignment you can check out the sample provided on Vedantu. Apart from this you can also check the points provided below and add them to get a short and simple essay.

• Electricity is an important aspect of our life and it is impossible to live in this generation without electricity being provided.
• It is possible that without electricity our lives might go back to the primitive age.
• Saving electricity is one of the important things if humans are to live efficiently in this world.
• It is to be made sure that during the day time the natural light should be preferred than using the lights or lamps to light the room
• When there is good weather outside, open the window and enjoy the light breeze rather than turning on the AC or fans as these take up a lot of electricity.

5. How is Electricity produced and why is it becoming scarce as days go by?

It is seen that around 65% of water is used to generate electricity and is also used in various generators that run on electricity. With such a large amount of water being involved in the production of electricity, it is seen that water is becoming scarce day by day. Hence the electricity which is produced with water is also becoming more and more scarce day by day. Due to this, there will be a time when it will be impossible to save water and electricity anymore. These two main aspects once lost will lead to a lot of trouble.

Word count: 858

Energy Conservation Essay for Students and Children

500 words energy conservation essay.

Energy conservation refers to the efforts made to reduce the consumption of energy. The energy on Earth is not in unlimited supply. Furthermore, energy can take plenty of time to regenerate. This certainly makes it essential to conserve energy. Most noteworthy, energy conservation is achievable either by using energy more efficiently or by reducing the amount of service usage.

Importance of Energy Conservation

First of all, energy conservation plays an important role in saving non-renewable energy resources. Furthermore, non-renewable energy sources take many centuries to regenerate. Moreover, humans consume energy at a faster rate than it can be produced. Therefore, energy conservation would lead to the preservation of these precious non-renewable sources of energy.

Energy conservation will reduce the expenses related to fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are very expensive to mine. Therefore, consumers are required to pay higher prices for goods and services. Energy conservation would certainly reduce the amount of fossil fuel being mined. This, in turn, would reduce the costs of consumers.

Consequently, energy conservation would strengthen the economy as consumers will have more disposable income to spend on goods and services.

Energy conservation is good for scientific research. This is because; energy conservation gives researchers plenty of time to conduct researches.

Therefore, these researchers will have more time to come up with various energy solutions and alternatives. Humans must ensure to have fossil fuels as long as possible. This would give me enough time to finding practical solutions.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Another important reason for energy conservation is environmental protection. This is because various energy sources are significantly harmful to the environment. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels considerably pollutes the atmosphere. Moreover, nuclear energy creates dangerous nuclear waste. Hence, energy conservation will lead to environmental protection.

Energy conservation would also result in the good health of humans. Furthermore, the pollution released due to energy sources is harmful to the human body. The air pollution due to fossil fuels can cause various respiratory problems. Energy sources can pollute water which could cause several harmful diseases in humans. Nuclear waste can cause cancer and other deadly problems in the human body.

Measures to Conserve Energy

Energy taxation is a good measure from the government to conserve energy. Furthermore, several countries apply energy or a carbon tax on energy users. This tax would certainly put pressure on energy users to reduce their energy consumption. Moreover, carbon tax forces energy users to shift to other energy sources that are less harmful.

Building design plays a big role in energy conservation. An excellent way to conserve energy is by performing an energy audit in buildings. Energy audit refers to inspection and analysis of energy use in a building. Most noteworthy, the aim of the energy audit is to appropriately reduce energy input.

Another important way of energy conservation is by using energy-efficient products. Energy-efficient products are those that use lesser energy than their normal counterparts. One prominent example can be using an energy-efficient bulb rather than an incandescent light bulb.

In conclusion, energy conservation must be among the utmost priorities of humanity. Mahatma Gandhi was absolutely right when he said, “the earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs but not every man’s greed”. This statement pretty much sums up the importance of energy conservation. Immediate implementation of energy conservation measures is certainly of paramount importance.

FAQs on Energy Conservation

Q1 state one way in which energy conservation is important.

A1 One way in which energy conservation is important is that it leads to the preservation of fossil fuels.

Q2 Why energy taxation is a good measure to conserve energy?

A2 Energy taxation is certainly a good measure to conserve energy. This is because energy taxation puts financial pressure on energy users to reduce their energy consumption.

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Electricity is a secondary energy source

Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. Electricity is both a basic part of nature and one of the most widely used forms of energy.

The electricity that we use is a secondary energy source because it is produced by converting primary sources of energy such as coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, solar energy, and wind energy into electrical power. Electricity is also referred to as an energy carrier , which means it can be converted to other forms of energy such as mechanical energy or heat. Primary energy sources are renewable or nonrenewable energy, but the electricity we use is neither renewable nor nonrenewable.

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Electricity use has dramatically changed daily life

Despite its great importance in daily life, few people probably stop to think about what life would be like without electricity. Like air and water, people tend to take electricity for granted. However, people use electricity to do many jobs every day—from lighting, heating, and cooling homes to powering televisions and computers.

Before electricity became widely available, about 100 years ago, candles, whale oil lamps, and kerosene lamps provided light; iceboxes kept food cold; and wood-burning or coal-burning stoves provided heat.

Scientists and inventors have worked to decipher the principles of electricity since the 1600s. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla made notable contributions to our understanding and use of electricity.

Benjamin Franklin demonstrated that lightning is electricity. Thomas Edison invented the first long-lasting incandescent light bulb.

Before 1879, direct current (DC) electricity was used in arc lights for outdoor lighting. In the late 1800s, Nikola Tesla pioneered the generation, transmission, and use of alternating current (AC) electricity, which reduced the cost of transmitting electricity over long distances. Tesla's inventions brought electricity into homes to power indoor lighting and into factories to power industrial machines.

Last updated: June 30, 2023, with data from the February 2023 edition of the Electric Power Monthly ; data for 2022 are preliminary.

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Energy Use and Conservation Essay

Introduction, energy consumption, environmental law.

Energy consumption is an important concern in the current world; this is due to the dwindling energy resources globally. As a result, leaders and the global population have initiated measures on adopting green energy as a means of conserving the energy reserves.

A major concern of environmentalists and leaders is global warming and due to these concerns, state governments are adopting cleaner and better energy sources for the global population. This essay is going to analyze my energy use while I analyze the steps that I could take in minimizing environmental damage by reducing my energy consumption.

Based on the chart above, most of my energy use is derived from the use of natural gas and electricity. Due to the changes in the sourcing of energy I decided to make use of solar heating especially in showering and cooling my house. I make use of electricity for lighting in the house and for use on devices like computers and television for recreational activities.

The electricity company that supplies my electricity produces its electricity from nuclear sources; this information was sourced from the California energy commission. Most of the energy supplied in California is nuclear energy (Winteringham, 2009).

As a measure of decreasing my energy use, I think purchasing devices which consume less energy, providing more lighting to avoid misuse of electricity and reduce frequency of tasks which require energy such as cooking. Energy efficiency depends on the utilization of energy in a proper manner; in my case I would increase energy efficiency by redesigning my house to allow for more ventilation thus less electricity is used in cooling (Jakab, 2008).

Another strategy would to use solar energy in cooking and thus this could replace gas and increase efficiency. By making use of renewable energy I am able to save on costs and thus increase on general energy efficiency. My opinion of importing oil from Russia is a good idea in the sense that Russia has huge reserves of oil and coal and thus exploiting the dwindling energy resources of the Unites States could be costly and detrimental to the environment (Winteringham, 2009).

The current environmental debate going on in the state of California where I reside is the removal of the moratoria placed on oil drilling the coast of California. The debate was ignited by the recent activities of the oil spill off the east coast of the United States. Oil spills are costly to the environmental since the cause major ecological damages (Bender, 2006).

According to economists and environmentalists, the moratoria should be lifted to allow for oil exploration along the Californian coast since safety standards in oil mining has been enhanced. However, I oppose this move since oil exploration usually leads to ecological damage that cannot be quantified in the event of an oil spill or lack of proper exploration. Ecological damage is more costly than exploring/mining cheap oil (Bender, 2006).

Energy use and conservation has been debated recently as the demand to energy rises and thus causing a problem for the global climate. Thus the right to clan and cheap energy has been a tough burden to meet by governments, companies or individuals.

In tackling this problem measures need to put in place through engagement of energy users such home owners, industrialists and other in conserving energy though use of renewable and sustainable energy. The essay has looked into an individual way of suing energy and means of achieving energy efficiency in the home.

Bender, M. (2006). California environmental law reporter. Los Angeles, CA: Matthew Bender.

Jakab, C. (2008). Energy Use. San Francisco, CA: Black Rabbit Books.

Winteringham, F. (2009). Energy use and the environment. Boston, MA: Lewis Publishers.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 17). Energy Use and Conservation. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy-use/

"Energy Use and Conservation." IvyPanda , 17 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/energy-use/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Energy Use and Conservation'. 17 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Energy Use and Conservation." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy-use/.

1. IvyPanda . "Energy Use and Conservation." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy-use/.

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IvyPanda . "Energy Use and Conservation." October 17, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/energy-use/.

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Save Electricity Essay for Students & Children 1000 Words

In this article, you will read Save Electricity Essay for Students and Children in 1000 Words. This essay includes its necessity, importance, use, and electricity saving tips.

Table of Contents

Introduction (Save Electricity Essay)

Electricity is one of the essential resources for a thriving life next to water. Electricity is used to run our daily life. Today it will be impossible to imagine life without electricity. So, saving electricity is an important thing for human life,

The Electricity is generated by using coal and natural gas, which is extracted by the mining of earth. Both resources are finite, and deposits are available for a certain amount in the earth.

The main issue is the ever-growing population of humankind, and the demand for electricity is extremely high. But since the resources are finite, the demand far outstrips supply.

Scientists also believe that if we use the resources unchecked, we will consume so much that we will soon run out of it. In simpler, we must preserve electricity so that we can preserve the resources.

Saving electricity is becoming a bigger and bigger because of the astonishing energy bills caused by rapid changes in the lifestyles. People are striving to make their homes comfortable by installing heavy equipment required for comfort and entertainment, which uses an enormous quantity of energy. Electricity serves mankind greatly, but we must stop waste the age of power.

If there is no electricity world will lose light. Still, the careless behavior of humankind must be checked as humans need to realize the importance of electricity to save ourselves from the darkness.

Each day we save electricity, it translates into more savings of money in your bank account. Also, lower energy consumption means lower electricity consumption, which is good for health and environment since lesser greenhouse gasses are emitted into the atmosphere.

Importance and Uses of Electricity

In almost every sphere of life, we need electricity; we need it to lead a comfortable life full of amenities and services. The planet will become inactive without electricity. For instance, all health and education facilities are conditioned by electricity.

If there is no electricity, a surgeon cannot perform the required operations; even the students won’t be able to gain practical knowledge .

Similarly, mechanics in garages and engineers in factories depend upon the electricity for their smooth functioning. Also, the passengers of the railway and airport can travel safely due to the presence of electricity only.

Many modes of transportation depend on electricity like the trams, trains and metros, which carry thousands of people every day. All this is possible due to electricity. Electricity is one of the essential modes to boost modern life and to ensure it to be civilized.

How to Save Electricity?

In today’s world, there is no single industrial sector or other areas where electricity is not used. Each building or apartment operates many lighting fixtures and household appliances. People should first understand that even a slight step will go a very long way in saving electricity.

For example, if people switch off the home fan when they are not in use, they will save many watts of electricity. Similarly, if we use other electrical equipment like heaters, air conditioners, ovens, refrigerators, etc. we can save an enormous amount of electricity.

We should use natural light more and do not keep the lights on during the morning and afternoon, as natural lights should be enough. We should replace all the old appliances which consume more electricity.

We should strive to make our own homes more energy efficient. Remember to unplug your electrical gadget when they are not in use, because even if the device is inactive, they consume ten percent of electricity, therefore unplug them to save electricity.

Also, try to cut down your TV watching time by encouraging your kids to read and play. Instead of desktop, try using laptops, a desktop consumes more electricity compared to a laptop. You should also switch off the fan if you are using an air conditioner, avoiding needless waste age of energy.

Using renewable energy resources like solar and wind energy is one of the best ways to conserve electricity. Installing the solar panels at your home can excessively save energy and economic saving. It is an economical option. The solar panels help to consume in lesser energy.

Also, industries that use megawatts of electricity must install windmills or large solar panels to get cheaper electricity through natural means. Traditional forms of electricity can be expensive when used for power heating and cooling; solar power can take up those big energy-consuming tasks as they are available in abundance and cheap.

Summary in 10 points on Save Electricity

Below you will read 10 lines on Save Electricity-

• Switch of the electrical appliances and lights when they are not used. You should check that all the switches are off when you are leaving the apartment also remove the plugs from the sockets; this leads to a lot of saving of electricity.
• Switch to energy-efficient appliances that consume less electricity.
• Keep the door and windows shut off the rooms you are not using and cool or heat the room where you spend most of the time. Keeping the windows tightly shut will ensure that cool air thrown by the air conditioner does not leak out.
• You need to assess home energy so you can identify and improve your home features so you can lower your energy bills.
• By maintaining the ideal temperature of your fridge up to 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Also, while cooking, it is better to use a microwave as it uses less energy than an electric oven.
• Manage heating and cooling by using efficient and modern appliances.
• Insulate the ceiling of your house; it will make an enormous difference in the energy bills.
• Save money by using a renewable source of energy like solar and wind.
• Nowadays, there is smart lighting available, which is programmable and automatically turns off when you are away.
• Use LED bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs, which are more energy-efficient. This energy-saving LED bulbs to save up to 80% of lighting costs as they last longer and use less power.

Considering we still depend on the finite natural resources deposited in the earth , all our essentials necessary for our daily life are dependent on electricity. Saving electricity should be ingrained in us; it will be beneficial for us and our environment by using renewable resources like solar & wind. I hope you liked this informative Essay on Save electricity. Thanks.

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It is very simple project of electricity save

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Essay on Electricity

Introduction.

Imagine if we had to endure the unbearable heat during the summers or live in darkness during the night. We can’t think of a life without a fan or light, can we? But have you wondered what makes them work? Electricity is the beautiful phenomenon that is behind the running of various appliances today. We cannot underestimate the power of electricity in our lives, and this long essay on electricity will help your kids to be familiar with its uses and benefits.

Importance of Electricity

There is hardly anything that does not work on electricity. Whether we need to watch TV or run a grinder, electricity is an important component that makes them function. This long essay on electricity shows how electricity makes our lives easier and more comfortable. Earlier, if we relied on handmade fans to keep ourselves cool, we now have to simply tap on the switch to run our electric fans, pedestal fans or ceiling fans. Similarly, the old kerosene lamps are now replaced by modern lights and tubes that fill the whole place with light. In this manner, electricity has given us many comforts, and it is hard for us to imagine going back to living without it.

Nearly every aspect of human life has benefited from using electricity. Apart from simplifying our lives at home by inventing electrical appliances, electricity has enabled easy communication through the introduction of telephones and fax machines. Besides, its use is found in many industries and factories to run large machines. If electric trains took the place of steam engines in the transportation industry, new devices and instruments, like X-ray machines, scanning devices, ECG and such, have changed the way the medical industry operates. Thus, we can say that the unseen presence of electricity has filled our lives with hope and joy.

Ways to Save Electricity

We all know that we get electricity from coal and water. Coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources, and there is a limit to using them, as it would take enormous time to replenish these resources. Thus, it is important to use electricity productively. Give your children this free printable essay on electricity from BYJU’S so that they understand its significance.

In this save electricity essay, there are some effective tips to conserve energy. We often tend to switch on the lights even in broad daylight or use a fan when it is extremely cold. Such unnecessary use of electricity must be avoided as you can open your windows to let in light and wind. Limit the charging of your phones and laptops, and remember to unplug them after it is fully charged. Also, try to spend maximum time outdoors so that you can restrict the time of watching TV. Thus, by taking such simple measures, we can save electricity.

Found this essay interesting? You can access more essays similar to the essay on electricity, along with a range of kid-friendly learning resources, on BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explain how electricity is produced..

Electricity is mainly produced from non-renewable sources, like coal and petroleum. But nowadays, electricity is also generated from wind, flowing water, sun and tides to make electricity cheap and easily available.

What are the uses of electricity?

Electricity is widely used in homes, industries and factories. Inventions like fans, lights and other electrical devices, like washing machines, refrigerators, televisions, computers and grinders, work on electricity.

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The world’s energy problem

The world faces two energy problems: most of our energy still produces greenhouse gas emissions, and hundreds of millions lack access to energy..

The world lacks safe, low-carbon, and cheap large-scale energy alternatives to fossil fuels. Until we scale up those alternatives the world will continue to face the two energy problems of today. The energy problem that receives most attention is the link between energy access and greenhouse gas emissions. But the world has another global energy problem that is just as big: hundreds of millions of people lack access to sufficient energy entirely, with terrible consequences to themselves and the environment.

The problem that dominates the public discussion on energy is climate change. A climate crisis endangers the natural environment around us, our wellbeing today and the wellbeing of those who come after us.

It is the production of energy that is responsible for 87% of global greenhouse gas emissions and as the chart below shows, people in the richest countries have the very highest emissions.

This chart here will guide us through the discussion of the world's energy problem. It shows the per capita CO2 emissions on the vertical axis against the average income in that country on the horizontal axis.

In countries where people have an average income between $15,000 and $20,000, per capita CO 2 emissions are close to the global average ( 4.8 tonnes CO 2 per year). In every country where people's average income is above $25,000 the average emissions per capita are higher than the global average.

The world’s CO 2 emissions have been rising quickly and reached 36.6 billion tonnes in 2018 . As long as we are emitting greenhouse gases their concentration in the atmosphere increases . To bring climate change to an end the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere needs to stabilize and to achieve this the world’s greenhouse gas emissions have to decline towards net-zero.

To bring emissions down towards net-zero will be one of the world’s biggest challenges in the years ahead. But the world’s energy problem is actually even larger than that, because the world has not one, but two energy problems.

The twin problems of global energy

The first energy problem: those that have low carbon emissions lack access to energy.

The first global energy problem relates to the left-hand side of the scatter-plot above.

People in very poor countries have very low emissions. On average, people in the US emit more carbon dioxide in 4 days than people in poor countries – such as Ethiopia, Uganda, or Malawi – emit in an entire year. 1

The reason that the emissions of the poor are low is that they lack access to modern energy and technology. The energy problem of the poorer half of the world is energy poverty . The two charts below show that large shares of people in countries with a GDP per capita of less than $25,000 do not have access to electricity and clean cooking fuels. 2

The lack of access to these technologies causes some of the worst global problems of our time.

When people lack access to modern energy sources for cooking and heating, they rely on solid fuel sources – mostly firewood, but also dung and crop waste. This comes at a massive cost to the health of people in energy poverty: indoor air pollution , which the WHO calls "the world's largest single environmental health risk." 3 For the poorest people in the world it is the largest risk factor for early death and global health research suggests that indoor air pollution is responsible for 1.6 million deaths each year, twice the death count of poor sanitation. 4

The use of wood as a source of energy also has a negative impact on the environment around us. The reliance on fuelwood is the reason why poverty is linked to deforestation. The FAO reports that on the African continent the reliance on wood as fuel is the single most important driver of forest degradation. 5 Across East, Central, and West Africa fuelwood provides more than half of the total energy. 6

Lastly, the lack of access to energy subjects people to a life in poverty. No electricity means no refrigeration of food; no washing machine or dishwasher; and no light at night. You might have seen the photos of children sitting under a street lamp at night to do their homework. 7

The first energy problem of the world is the problem of energy poverty – those that do not have sufficient access to modern energy sources suffer poor living conditions as a result.

The second energy problem: those that have access to energy produce greenhouse gas emissions that are too high

The second energy problem is the one that is more well known, and relates to the right hand-side of the scatterplot above: greenhouse gas emissions are too high.

Those that need to reduce emissions the most are the extremely rich. Diana Ivanova and Richard Wood (2020) have just shown that the richest 1% in the EU emit on average 43 tonnes of CO 2 annually – 9-times as much as the global average of 4.8 tonnes. 8

The focus on the rich, however, can give the impression that it is only the emissions of the extremely rich that are the problem. What isn’t made clear enough in the public debate is that for the world's energy supply to be sustainable the greenhouse gas emissions of the majority of the world population are currently too high. The problem is larger for the extremely rich, but it isn’t limited to them.

The Paris Agreement's goal is to keep the increase of the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and “to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C”. 9

To achieve this goal emissions have to decline to net-zero within the coming decades.

Within richer countries, where few are suffering from energy poverty, even the emissions of the very poorest people are far higher. The paper by Ivanova and Wood shows that in countries like Germany, Ireland, and Greece more than 99% of households have per capita emissions of more than 2.4 tonnes per year.

The only countries that have emissions that are close to zero are those where the majority suffers from energy poverty. 10 The countries that are closest are the very poorest countries in Africa : Malawi, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But this comes at a large cost to themselves as this chart shows. In no poor country do people have living standards that are comparable to those of people in richer countries.

And since living conditions are better where GDP per capita is higher, it is also the case that CO 2 emissions are higher where living conditions are better. Emissions are high where child mortality is the lowest , where children have good access to education, and where few of them suffer from hunger .

The reason for this is that as soon as people get access to energy from fossil fuels their emissions are too high to be sustainable over the long run (see here ).

People need access to energy for a good life. But in a world where fossil fuels are the dominant source of energy, access to modern energy means that carbon emissions are too high.

The more accurate description of the second global energy problem is therefore: the majority of the world population – all those who are not very poor – have greenhouse gas emissions that are far too high to be sustainable over the long run.

The current alternatives are energy poverty or fossil-fuels and greenhouse gases

The chart here is a version of the scatter plot above and summarizes the two global energy problems: In purple are those that live in energy poverty, in blue those whose greenhouse gas emissions are too high if we want to avoid severe climate change.

So far I have looked at the global energy problem in a static way, but the world is changing  of course.

For millennia all of our ancestors lived in the pink bubble: the reliance on wood meant they suffered from indoor air pollution; the necessity of acquiring fuelwood and agricultural land meant deforestation; and minimal technology meant that our ancestors lived in conditions of extreme poverty.

In the last two centuries more and more people have moved from the purple to the blue area in the chart. In many ways this is a very positive development. Economic growth and increased access to modern energy improved people's living conditions. In rich countries almost no one dies from indoor air pollution and living conditions are much better in many ways as we've seen above. It also meant that we made progress against the ecological downside of energy poverty: The link between poverty and the reliance on fuelwood is one of the key reasons why deforestation declines with economic growth. 11 And progress in that direction has been fast: on any average day in the last decade 315,000 people in the world got access to electricity for the first time in their life.

But while living conditions improved, greenhouse gas emissions increased.

The chart shows what this meant for greenhouse gas emissions over the last generation. The chart is a version of the scatter plot above, but it shows the change over time – from 1990 to the latest available data.

The data is now also plotted on log-log scales which has the advantage that you can see the rates of change easily. On a logarithmic axis the steepness of the line corresponds to the rate of change. What the chart shows is that low- and middle-income countries increased their emissions at very similar rates.

By default the chart shows the change of income and emission for the 14 countries that are home to more than 100 million people, but you can add other countries to the chart.

What has been true in the past two decades will be true in the future. For the poorer three-quarters of the world income growth means catching up with the good living conditions of the richer world, but unless there are cheap alternatives to fossil fuels it also means catching up with the high emissions of the richer world.

Our challenge: find large-scale energy alternatives to fossil fuels that are affordable, safe and sustainable

The task for our generation is therefore twofold: since the majority of the world still lives in poor conditions, we have to continue to make progress in our fight against energy poverty. But success in this fight will only translate into good living conditions for today’s young generation when we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

Key to making progress on both of these fronts is the source of energy and its price . Those living in energy poverty cannot afford sufficient energy and those that left the worst poverty behind rely on fossil fuels to meet their energy needs.

Once we look at it this way it becomes clear that the twin energy problems are really the two sides of one big problem. We lack large-scale energy alternatives to fossil fuels that are cheap, safe, and sustainable.

This last version of the scatter plot shows what it would mean to have such energy sources at scale. It would allow the world to leave the unsustainable current alternatives behind and make the transition to the bottom right corner of the chart: the area marked with the green rectangle where emissions are net-zero and everyone has left energy poverty behind.

Without these technologies we are trapped in a world where we have only bad alternatives: Low-income countries that fail to meet the needs of the current generation; high-income countries that compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs; and middle-income countries that fail on both counts.

Since we have not developed all the technologies that are required to make this transition possible large scale innovation is required for the world to make this transition. This is the case for most sectors that cause carbon emissions , in particular in the transport (shipping, aviation, road transport) and heating sectors, but also cement production and agriculture.

One sector where we have developed several alternatives to fossil fuels is electricity. Nuclear power and renewables emit far less carbon (and are much safer) than fossil fuels. Still, as the last chart shows, their share in global electricity production hasn't changed much: only increasing from 36% to 38% in the last three decades.

But it is possible to do better. Some countries have scaled up nuclear power and renewables and are doing much better than the global average. You can see this if you change the chart to show the data for France and Sweden – in France 92% of electricity comes from low carbon sources, in Sweden it is 99%. The consequence of countries doing better in this respect should be that they are closer to the sustainable energy world of the future. The scatter plot above shows that this is the case.

But for the global energy supply – especially outside the electricity sector – the world is still far away from a solution to the world's energy problem.

Every country is still very far away from providing clean, safe, and affordable energy at a massive scale and unless we make rapid progress in developing these technologies we will remain stuck in the two unsustainable alternatives of today: energy poverty or greenhouse gas emissions.

As can be seen from the chart, the ratio of emissions is 17.49t / 0.2t = 87.45. And 365 days/87.45=4.17 days

It is worth looking into the cutoffs for what it means – according to these international statistics – to have access to energy. The cutoffs are low.

See Raising Global Energy Ambitions: The 1,000 kWh Modern Energy Minimum and IEA (2020) – Defining energy access: 2020 methodology, IEA, Paris.

WHO (2014) – Frequently Asked Questions – Ambient and Household Air Pollution and Health . Update 2014

While it is certain that the death toll of indoor air pollution is high, there are widely differing estimates. At the higher end of the spectrum, the WHO estimates a death count of more than twice that. We discuss it in our entry on indoor air pollution .

The 2018 estimate for premature deaths due to poor sanitation is from the same analysis, the Global Burden of Disease study. See here .

FAO and UNEP. 2020. The State of the World’s Forests 2020. Forests, biodiversity and people. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca8642en

The same report also reports that an estimated 880 million people worldwide are collecting fuelwood or producing charcoal with it.

This is according to the IEA's World Energy Balances 2020. Here is a visualization of the data.

The second largest energy source across the three regions is oil and the third is gas.

The photo shows students study under the streetlights at Conakry airport in Guinea. It was taken by Rebecca Blackwell for the Associated Press.

It was published by the New York Times here .

The global average is 4.8 tonnes per capita . The richest 1% of individuals in the EU emit 43 tonnes per capita – according to Ivanova D, Wood R (2020). The unequal distribution of household carbon footprints in Europe and its link to sustainability. Global Sustainability 3, e18, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2020.12

On Our World in Data my colleague Hannah Ritchie has looked into a related question and also found that the highest emissions are concentrated among a relatively small share of the global population: High-income countries are home to only 16% of the world population, yet they are responsible for almost half (46%) of the world’s emissions.

Article 2 of the Paris Agreement states the goal in section 1a: “Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.”

It is an interesting question whether there are some subnational regions in richer countries where a larger group of people has extremely low emissions; it might possibly be the case in regions that rely on nuclear energy or renewables (likely hydro power) or where aforestation is happening rapidly.

Crespo Cuaresma, J., Danylo, O., Fritz, S. et al. Economic Development and Forest Cover: Evidence from Satellite Data. Sci Rep 7, 40678 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep40678

Bruce N, Rehfuess E, Mehta S, et al. Indoor Air Pollution. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors. Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 42. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11760/ Co-published by Oxford University Press, New York.

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Electricity in Economic Growth (1986)

Chapter: 1. introduction, conclusion and recommendations.

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

1 Introduction, Conclusions, and Recommendations INTRODUCTION From 1973 through 1982 a number of the general trends that characterized electricity use between 1960 and 1972 showed distinct changes. The annual percentage change in electricity price, adjusted for inflation, reversed direction, from a decrease of 3.8 percent per year to an increase of 4 percent per year. The price of a unit of electric energy fell from about 7 to about 3 times the price of an equivalent amount of energy in the form of natural gas and heating oil, because of the rise in the price of fossil fuels. The rate of growth in electricity use dropped from 7 to 2 percent per year; and although formerly it had exceeded real growth rate of gross national product (GNP), the growth rate fell to approximately the same pace as that of GNP. Such changes have led to great uncertainty about the future relationships between electricity use and economic growth. It is therefore necessary to examine the forces that now underlie electricity use and to ask whether basic changes have occurred or are occurring, either in kind or degree. Two Important Relationships Two important relationships between electricity use and the economy are addressed in this report. One is how electricity use, or demand, in the usual sense of economics, depends on various economic and technical factors. The second is how electricity, as an especially high grade of energy, may facilitate technological advances, and in turn stimulate the economy, by providing gains in productivity. Our report does not address the question of electricity supply--that is, which generation technolog ies in what combinat ions should be used to serve demand . Ordinary experience suggests that electricity use should depend on the general level of economic activity, the prices of electricity and its alternatives, public policy, the regulatory environment, and the development of novel applications, among other factors. Let us look briefly at each of these. 1

2 o General economic activity is usually represented by GNP. For detailed analysis it is often important to disaggregate GNP into sectoral components and to make other disaggregations by geography and demography as well. In particular, there are important regional differences in providing and using electricity. o Electricity prices depend mainly on investment requirements for all types of plant and equipment, interest rates, fuel costs, and allowed rates of return. All these cost elements have varied more since 1972 than they did previously, generally leading to higher electricity prices. o The price of fossil fuels rose even more dramatically than that of electricity during the 1970s. Thus, the price of electricity was relatively attractive compared to available alternatives, leading to a growth in electricity use. On the other hand, since the cost of electricity generation depends in part on the cost of fossil fuels, the price trends made increased efficiency of electricity use, and sometimes avoidance of use, more desirable than before. The price trends also led to the search for less expensive ways of producing with available technologies and for other methods of generation, such as cogeneration, wind power, and solar electric power, in the hope of finding less expensive alternatives. o Public policy, implemented in various ways at various levels of government, can also influence electricity consumption. Some policies act directly, such as those that control prices or that provide incentives for conservation. Other policies act indirectly, such as import restrictions and tax preferences for research and development. Thus the effect of public policy may be felt through factors such as prices, regulations, and the growth of new applications for electricity. It is certainly possible to model the effect of any particular policy, but the net effect of many may be hard to estimate. o Regulatory constraints influence electricity use, usually through their effects on price. Regulation may encourage consumption by keeping prices down, or it may impose added costs to satisfy requirements for operational safety and environmental protection. Regulation may create other kinds of barriers to use by limiting the siting and construction of generating capacity. o Novel applications for electricity, such as the electric furnace for steelmaking, are often developed as one aspect of ongoing technical change of all sorts. Such applications are adopted when they lead to greater value of output than their incremental cost. The new applications can increase electricity use through substitution for other fuels, as in induction heating, or they can decrease electricity use through greater energy efficiency, as in the replacement of arc welding by electron beam welding. Again, since 1973 several factors affecting electricity use have undergone noticeable changes. For orderly planning by many sectors of the economy, it is important to know whether these changes will modify long-term trends connecting electricity use and the economy. Is a different form for the relationship more appropriate by introducing new

3 variables? Or is only some adjustment needed, large or small, in the numbers that connect the customary variables? If we address these questions so as to permit informed judgments about past relationships and future prospects, we shall have gone as far as we can. The future values of the economic variables themselves as inputs to consumption models are largely unpredictable. To estimate them requires not only skill but also-.ucK. Understanding the relationships between electricity use and the economy, with regard to both consumption and productivity, is important in formulating public policy, in regulating the industry, and in managing individual firms. When the existing system of supply and demand works well, producing acceptable economic and social benefits, there is little need for government intervention beyond the usual activities of the state and federal regulatory system. A sound system of monitoring and evaluation is all that is needed. The existing system may, on the other hand, not work well. For example, the economic costs to a region, or to the nation, of a shortfall of electric power may be out of proportion to the cost of adding capacity, even though an individual utility may find it financially inadvisable to build a new plant. Also, though consumption may be satisfied, or even reduced, under a current set of conditions, aggregate productivity benefits from increasing efficiency or adding capacity may exceed the costs of these steps. In this context, recall that because of regional variations in electricity production and use, the adequacy of supply may vary regionally in ways not reflected by aggregate national data. On the other hand, it may prove more economical to reduce electricity use or to slow its growth, by increasing the eff iciency of its use and substituting other production factors, than to expand supply. In any case, public policies may help ameliorate problems in the system by means of legislation, regulatory changes, investment incentives, or stimulation of research. With regard to regulation, better knowledge of the relationships between electricity use and the economy, concerning both aggregate and particular end uses, should facilitate better decisions on many issues: rate design, capital investment, required reserve capacity, fuel contracts, cost recovery rules' and admissible research costs. With regard to individual f irms, the decisions of utilities as well as their suppliers would of course benefit from a better grasp of the interactions at work. At stake for the utilities and, by extension, their investors, are the consequences of allocating funds among additional plants, load management equipment, and conservation measures. Suppliers must anticipate the kinds and amounts of plant equipment and fuels that futilities will need. The Structure of the Task The committee's task, stated more fully in Appendix A, was to look at the role of "electricity" in "economic growth. " Both these terms are

4 familiar but, as in using many terms, we should strive for precise def inition and connotation. Economic growth is conventionally measured by GNP. Electricity service is measured either by installed capacity to deliver power or by energy consumption. None of these measures expresses everything of importance for the relationships at issue, as is discussed further in Appendix B. Nevertheless, we concluded that these measures were generally those appropriate for our study because of the difficulty of establishing other adequate ones and the desirability of relating our own to previous work. Another term used in the report is "electrification." Electrification means the adoption of processes and activities based on the use of electricity. The term connotes an application and associated equipment that use the special qualities of electricity, often for innovation. Electrification may increase or decrease electricity consumption, depending on such factors as whether there is a change from a nonelectrical to an electrical production technique, the amount of electricity consumed per unit of output, and the total units of output produced. The last can be substantially greater than before if product prices fall because of more eff icient production. The terms "productivity" and "productivity growth" are used in their usual economic senses. Productivity means output per unit of input, measured in appropriate units, whether for a single kind of input or for a combination of inputs. Productivity growth is the change in product ivity f ram one point in t ime to another, usually expressed as a percentage. "Productivity growth rate" is productivity growth per unit of time. Figure 1-1 i llustrates the system that we examined. The complexity of the f igure reflects that of the real situation and thus the complexity of any useful analysis. We sought to describe the relationships between the central elements in this diagram: electrif ication, productivity growth, GNP, and electricity consumption. We tried to summarize what is currently known about these relationships and to indicate some uncertainties. To do so we had to consider several additional factors. These factors include the prices of electricity and of substitute fuels and the costs of electrical and nonelectrical processes. We considered direct effects (for example, the price of electricity on electricity consumption) and also indirect effects (for example, the income effect of conservation and electrif ication, f reeing resources for other uses). When possible we tried to quantify these relationships when referring to the past; we could discuss them only qualitatively when referring to the future. The various chapters focus on different parts of Figure 1-1. Chapter 2 discusses the historical relationship between electricity consumption and GNP. Electricity consumption is first analyzed as a function of GNP. Gross product originating (GPO) and disposable personal income (OPI) are then used as measures in a finer analysis to reflect economic activity in different sectors. The central subject of Chapter 2 i s depicted in the right central part of Figure 1-1: the arrow between GNP and electricity consumption points to the right

5 Regu ration ~ Technolo~ | Electrification Productivity Growth Commercial ~ Price of Substitute Fuels Residential 1~ Income Eiectricity Using Devices ~;= ~ Product -~ Consumption ~ I nd ustria I SUPPLY D EMAN D FIGURE 1-1 Relationships affecting electricity and economic growth.

6 because we consider how the level of economic activity affects electricity consumption. A later part of Chapter 2 discusses available evidence on how both the price of electricity and the price of nonelectric (substitute) fuels have affected electricity consumption. The influence of price links the left (or supply) side of the diagram with the right (or demand) side. Chapter 3 looks at the role of electricity in productivity growth. Productivity growth is one of three inputs to economic growth, the others being capital and labor growth. This chapter finds that the electrification of productive processes, as one type of technical change, may have special effects on productivity growth. As is shown in Chapter 4, these effects are due to the flexibility and high quality of electricity as energy in application. Chapter 3 demonstrates that the prices of both electricity and other fuels, along with their technical characteristics, do influence productivity growth in most industries. The relationships among these variables are depicted in the left and central parts of Figure 1-1. Chapter 4 looks at examples of the influence of electrification on economic activity, emphasizing further technical potentials. This chapter discusses the characteristics of various forms of electrification, their potential engineering and economic effects on general productive efficiency, and whether they may result in a net increase or decrease in electricity consumption per unit of output. This discussion is illustrated by some examples of technical change in different sectors of the economy. The examples show how electrification affects efficiency for the process and the firm and, by implication, how these gains can provide productivity growth in the aggregate. Chapter 4 is represented by the lower left corner of Figure 1-1. ~ In Chapter ~ we return to the subject of Chapter 2, but with attention to the future. Given the current uncertainty about whether the recent relationship between electricity use and GNP continues as before, we cannot foretell a precise future relationship between these variables. Furthermore, we are in no position to forecast the future growth rates of GNP and prices. Even so, we can consider the forces likely to influence the relationship between GNP and electricity use, for example, changes in the composition of national output, the prices of electricity and nonelectric fuels, and energy conservation. We also note that these forces have both direct and indirect influences. For instance, the individual consumer who realizes the benefits of conservation will enjoy greater disposable income. Similarly, if future electrification leads to greater overall productive efficiency and to lower electricity use per unit of output, this indirect effect on disposable income should lead to greater expenditures on goods and services. In turn, this would increase electricity demand according to the strong correlation that has held between GNP growth and the growth in electricity use. Thus, Chapter 5 addresses the possible future relationships among most of the elements of our diagram, but in a qualitative way.

7 These chapters together provide the information and analysis on which we based our conclusions. For the reader's convenience, our principal conclusions, along with statements of our rationale, appear below, and then our recommendations, which flow from these conclusions. CONCLUS IONS Electricity Consumption Electricity use and gross national product have been, and probably will continue to be, strongly correlated. Numerous representations of the relationships between economic activity and electricity use are possible.* We considered a number of these representations and discuss some in the report. The relationship we emphasize is based on considerations of simplicity and of adequacy in satisfying the committee's task. This relationship is at a high level of aggregation (between total electricity use and GNP) and takes a simple functional form (linear) such that one principal variable, GNP, is capable of explaining much of the variation in the other, electricity use, as they both change with the passage of time. In this century, the electricity use-economic activity relationship has been characterized by four well-defined periods. Within each period, the relationship has been linear and stable. The first period was prior to World War I and the second from the end of World War I through the 1920s. In the third period, from 1930 through the end of World World II, the linear relationship paralleled that of the 1920s. The fourth period began after World War II and may still be continuing, although the relationship holding after the 1973 Arab oil embargo is still in dispute. We cannot tell conclusively whether the relationship after 1973 simply reflects variations from the most recent trend line, such as have occurred before, or whether a fundamental change in the relationship is taking place. . . *The possibilities encompass various aggregations of data (by nation, sector, region, or household), various functional forms of the relationship (linear or another form of growth curve), the addition of potentially relevant variables (population and household data, prices, inventories of electricity-using equipment, labor force data, and time), and various transformations of variables from their "natural" units (for example, kilowatt hours and dollars) to other forms, such as annual percentage increases. What we know does not allow us to disentangle the individual roles of all the possibly relevant variables in the electricity-economic activity relationship. Moreover, obviously no one formulation is best for all purposes. For example, a linear formulation may best illustrate the long-term historical record, while certain logarithmic representations may best serve more specific analytical needs.

8 Historic trends in the electricity use-GNP relationship include the effects of a host of factors not explicitly identified in the linear equation representing it. Among those believed important are the prices of electricity and competing energy forms, the composition of national output, regional economic activity, technical change, conservation practices, and government policies. Only when there are major perturbations in the trends (not simply movements about the trend lines) of these underlying variables would changes in the basic electricity use-GNP relationship be expected. Even then, some effects may cancel each other (such as rises in both electricity and other energy prices). Lesser variations in these underlying variables produce temporary deviations from the electricity use-GNP relationship. Two forces believed capable of altering the trends of future electricity use-economic activity relationships are electrification and conservation. However, their potential effects, like those of the other underlying variables, are not readily quantified. Electricity and nonelectrical energy prices are generally acknowledged as factors determining electricity consumption. However, by far the most important contribution to explaining consumption in the past has been GNP. The observed departure on occasion of electricity consumption from the main trend line may be explained in part by taking price changes into account. Furthermore, there is an implicit dependence of electricity consumption on energy prices through the dependence of GNP in part on productivity g rowth, which in turn is shown to depend partly on energy prices. Productivity Growth Productivity growth may be ascribed partly to technical change; in many industries technical change also tends to increase the relative share of electricity in the value of output, and in these industries productivity growth is found to be the greater the lower the real price of electricity, and vice versa. Economic growth, or percentage change in GNP, results from growth in three factors: capital input, labor input, and productivity. Productivity accounts for increases in output in excess of the contribution of the first two factors. Productivity growth for the economy as a whole derives mainly from sectoral productivity growth and any reallocations of value added, capital input, and labor input among the sectors of the economy. The decline in the rate of U.S. economic growth since the early 1970s is associated with a decline in sectoral productivity growth rates rather than a reduction in the aggregate growth rate of capital and labor inputs or the reallocation of value added, capital input, or labor input among sectors. Chapter 3 shows that this sectoral decline in productivity growth is strongly associated with an increase in energy prices.

9 Sectoral productivity growth may be modeled as a function of the relative prices of major inputs--capital, labor, electricity, nonelectric energy, and materials--and the level of technology e One comprehensive model of this sort shows that technical change and reduced electricity prices have a related effect on many industries. First, for these industries technical change is electricity using; that is, it is found to increase the contribution, relative to those of other inputs to production, that a given change in electricity input value makes to change in output value and so tends to increase the relative share of electricity in the value of output. Second, for the same industries the productivity growth arising from the technical change increases as electricity prices decrease, and conversely. Such effects are found for nonelectrical energy in even more industries. The decline in the real cost of electricity, which resulted in part from dramatic increases in the thermal efficiency of electric generation, increased electricity use and stimulated productivity growth until the early 1970s. The reversal in the decline of electricity costs, combined with a rise in the prices of primary fuels after the international oil price increases of 1973 and 1979, has permanently reduced productivity in many industries from what it would otherwise have been. This result may be explained partly by the substitution of less efficient inputs for these energy inputs. Technical Change Technical change has made possible many new opportunities for exploiting the special qualities of electricity. In the past these changes were of ten associated with increased intensity of - electricity use, but in the future their net effect on that . intensity will depend on the balance between their increased penetration and the increased efficiency of these applications. Once generated, electricity has unique properties that make it an attractive form of energy. These properties include a highly ordered form (including the ability to be focused for efficient use and to produce very high temperatures), flexibility, and cleanliness of use. There is substantial potential in the major consuming sectors for further applications of electrical energy that take advantage of these special properties. We call such innovations electrification. There are several different forms of electrification: (1) changing either old or new processes so that they rely on electricity rather than on fossil fuels, or direct wind or water as a source of mechanical energy, or human labor--changes generally associated with an increase in the intensity of electricity use; (2) converting older electrotechnologies (such as motor drive in manufacturing) to advanced ones to meet end-use requirements better--changes that often increase economic efficiency and may either increase or decrease the intensity of electricity use; and (3) the rapid penetration of new activities that depend on electricity, such as the growth in the use of

10 computerized techniques--changes that may either increase or decrease the intensity of electricity use. Some kinds of electrification increase electricity intensity (electricity use per unit of economic output) through wider application of electrical processes. Some kinds decrease electricity intensity through productivity gains. In the aggregate it is found that the increase in electricity intensity with GNP is relatively small because the two effects tend to be offsetting. Electrification can change not only the form of energy used but also the share and absolute quantity of other inputs, including labor, capital, and materials. In addition product quality and even manufacturing location can be affected. Technical change in the form of electrification has historically contributed to increased productivity and thereby to increases in GNP. We can expect this trend to continue. The Effects of Price Changes Electricity prices and alternative fuel prices affect electricity consumption in two ways: first, they directly affect the use of electricity and nonelectric fuels as input factors of production; second, they indirectly affect productivity growth and thereby economic growth. If electricity prices alone rise (for example, because of a rise in plant and equipment prices), electricity use will decrease in accordance with elasticity of demand with respect to its own price. This result will occur through improving the efficiency of electricity use and through substituting other inputs for electricity. A rise in the price of those fuels that compete with electricity, without a corresponding increase in the price of electricity, will increase electricity consumption because of elasticity of demand with respect to the prices of other fuels. If electricity prices rise because of a rise in primary fuel prices, a reduction in electricity use through its own-price elasticity will occur and be offset to some degree by an increase in the use of electricity as a substitute for primary fuels, that is, through cross-price elasticity. The numerical values of these elasticities have not been well established, but current estimates of price elasticities suggest that the two effects may cancel each other. Any increase in the real price of electricity will indirectly further decrease electricity use because it will lower productivity growth rates in many industries, in turn leading to a lower rate of economic growth. Reductions in electricity prices yield an opposite set of results, as indicated historically.

11 Conservation There is further potential for increasing the efficiency of electricity use, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors. Promising technologies have been identified for increasing the efficiency of electricity use. Their greatest promise is in the residential and commercial sectors, where there has been less investment in efficiency improvements than in the industrial sector since the Arab oil embargo. Energy price increases provide incentive for investments in conservation. The main constraints to such investment have been immaturity of the technologies, lack of information, lack of capitalization funds, inefficient electricity and fuel pricing, and doubts about the cost-effectiveness of such investment. Of particular interest for the residential and commercial sectors are potential improvements in building envelopes and lighting systems, which can be incorporated in new construction and retrofitted to existing buildings. Although these improvements may themselves reduce the intensity of electricity use, there may be other factors, hard to predict, that increase electricity consumption through new uses of electricity in production and household applications. In addition, many established uses of electricity, such as for air conditioning and electric space heating, still show potential market growth. The effects of residential conservation investments do not show up directly in sectoral productivity measures. However, their macroeconomic effect may be evidenced in a change in the composition of sectoral output and in changes in consumption f ram the income effect of reduced energy costs. In the commercial and industrial sectors those conservation measures that are cost-effective would appear in measures of sectoral productivity g rowth. Evidence of success in conservation and load management is provided by programs implemented by electric and gas ''tilities. Conservation and load management, if cost-effective, can also benefit economic growth by reducing the costs of electricity supply, and thus the price of electricity, through improving the efficiency of existing and new generating facilities in producing given levels of electric energy. The Composition of National Output Changes in the composition of national output toward less electricity-intensive goods and services have been offset by growth in the intensity of electr ic ity use within all the ma jor use sectors so that the combined ef feet on electric ity demand g rowth has not yet been great. However, if the trend toward a leveling off in sectoral electricity intensity growth that began in the late 1970s continues, future shifts toward less electricity-intensive goods and services are likely to dampen electricity demand growth relative to national output.

12 Looking at the sectoral composition of national output is one means of analyzing structural changes in the economy. Gross product originating (GPO) in producing sectors is often used to measure and compare their output. Employment figures are also widely used, but they are not as useful as GPO in analyzing the relationships of electricity use to other factors since they account for only one of the inputs to sectoral output. Since 1950 the share of GPO in the commercial sector has increased steadily, while that in the industrial sector as a whole has declined. This decline is almost entirely due to a decrease in the relative importance of agriculture, mining, and construction as components of the industrial sector. The share of manufacturing GPO remained fairly constant over the entire postwar period, although within manufacturing there has been a shift toward less electricity-intensive industries. The electricity intensity of the industrial sector is about three times that of the commercial sector, so that shifts away from industry, all other things being equal, would lead to a decline in electricity intensity for the total economy. However, there were large increases in average electricity intensity in all three of the major consuming sectors after World War II, which more than counteracted the negative influence on overall electricity intensity of the shift from industrial to commercial output. Almost all the growth in average sectoral electricity intensity occurred prior to 1973; by 1983 industrial and commercial sector electricity intensities were back near their 1973 values, while residential electricity intensity remained stable from about 1977. It is uncertain whether recent declines in sectoral electricity intensity growth represent the beginning of a new long-term trend or a response to short-term influences. Regional Differences Valid conclusions about electricity demand drawn from national data do not necessarily pertain to regional circumstances; there are significant regional differences in such factors as economic output, prices, electricity supply mix, availability of generating capacity, climate, and regulatory environment. With regard to economic activity, the regional factors important to electricity consumption include overall level of output, industry mix, labor and resource availability, and the relative importance of a region's commercial and industrial sectors. With regard to energy use, important regional factors include electricity and nonelectric energy prices, electricity supply mix, climate, and regulation. Shifts in demographic characteristics and regional activity may alter national electricity use patterns, although probably gradually and in a small way. National policy decisions should be sensitive to important regional differences.

13 RECOMMENDAT IONS The principal focus of this study is a better understanding of the complex relationships between electricity use and economic growth. Two important conclusions underlie the recommendations that follow. there has been a strong correlation between the use of First, _ electricity and the magnitude of GNP. Second, the recent research described in Chapter 3 was judged sufficiently significant to put forward with some confidence its thesis that there is a strong connection between electricity and productivity growth. 1. The relationship between electricity and productivity is so important that it should be considered in developing federal and state energy and economic policies. Productivity growth is central to solving many problems facing the United States, ranging from the federal deficit to the balance of trade. Consequently, all possibilities of ~ , ,_ _ ~ growth, including attention to electricity supply and use, should be evaluated and pursued in accord with their promise. * * * * * At ~ ml1 1 at i no nrn~lil~t. i wi EN 2. To foster increased productivity, policy should stimulate increased efficiency of electricity use, promote the implementation of elect~otechnclogies when they are economically justified, and seek to lower the real costs of electricity supply by removing any regulatory impediments and developing promising technologies to provide electricity. The findings of this report establish a connection between electricity and productivity growth. ~_ . . ~. . The two factors that must coexist to realize the productivity growth associated with electricity are technical change and favorable electricity supply conditions. In addition, cost-effective increases in the efficiency of electricity use will themselves not only increase productive output for a given input , . . . .. , . ~ . . , ~ These points suggest that federal and state policies that promote lowering the real costs of electricity supply and use, through research and development or through more efficient pricing by regulatory authorities, will benefit productivity growth. or elects 1C lay out also tree Income tor other Purposes. * * * * * 3. Further research should be undertaken to identify and quantify the forces affecting the relationships between electricity and economic growth in view of their critical importance, complexity, and regional diversity.

14 The strong and persistent relationship between electricity use and GNP requires that close attention be paid to the adequacy of electricity supply to sustain a high future rate of economic growth. The adequacy of electricity supply can be maintained not only through new generation facilities but also through efficiency improvements that use existing generating capacity better. Although favorable electricity supply conditions of themselves will not assure economic growth, a lack of adequate supply would almost certainly constitute a serious impediment to such growth. In making this point we are keenly aware of the need to learn more about the correlations and the causal relationships between economic growth and electricity use. As pointed out above, well directed policy, regulation, and management decisions rest on such knowledge. It should be systematically sought and better established. Otherwise progress toward greater economic efficiency, innovation, and competition may suf fer .

This volume surveys the complex relationships between economic activity and electricity use, showing how trends in the growth of electricity demand may be affected by changes in the economy, and examining the connection between the use of electrotechnologies and productivity. With a mix of historical perspective, technical analysis, and synthesis of econometric findings, the book brings together a summary of the work of leading national experts.

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Save Electricity Essay – 10 Lines, Short & Long Essay For Kids

Key Points To Note: Essay On ‘Save Electricity’ For Lower Primary Classes

10 lines on ‘save electricity’ for kids, a paragraph on ‘save electricity’ for children, short essay on ‘save electricity’ for kids, long essay on ‘importance of saving electricity’, what will your child learn from this essay.

We use electricity for almost everything nowadays, and it seems impossible to live without it. However, we waste too much electrical energy without considering the consequences. This article will discuss the topic ‘save electricity’ for classes 1, 2 and 3. We must save electricity to use it in the future, and we must preserve energy so future generations can benefit from it. Conservation of electricity essay is the best way to teach kids about the rising concern of electricity. It will sensitise them about the importance of the conservation of electricity, and they will learn how they can cooperate to achieve the same.

Your child should keep a few key aspects in mind when writing an essay on this topic. Let us demonstrate how to create an essay about electricity conservation for your youngster:

• The first stage is to have your youngster organise the concepts (in their heads) regarding the electricity conservation that they wish to write about.
• Allow your kid to jot down their thoughts to create an outline that will allow them to cover all of the themes while writing the essay in the second phase.
• They will build easy-to-read short and basic phrases in the third phase.
• Your child can write about the value of electricity conservation, how saving electricity can save mankind, and so on.

Consider what your life would be like if you didn’t have access to electricity. There will be no tablets, light bulbs, or snack refrigerators. Isn’t it difficult to imagine? We have a few lines below that will help children write an essay for classes 1 and 2 on saving electricity in English.

• Electricity is an important resource today. We need electricity for everything that we do, so we must try to save it as much as possible.
• Electricity is derived from coal and other natural resources extracted from the earth, so we can save the earth by saving electricity.
• Electricity is also harnessed from water, which is a crucial natural resource.
• We must use energy-saving products such as LED blulbs.
• If we switch off all the lights and fans when not in use, we can save a lot of electricity.
• We should turn off electric appliances to save electricity when they are not in use.
• We also can save electricity by using energy-efficient refrigerators, air coolers, and air conditioners.
• Solar panels are a great alternative to reducing energy consumption.
• We can burn less fuel and conserve water to save electricity.
• If we save electricity, it can be distributed more efficiently.

Electricity is important for everyone, and children are the future, so we should teach them to save electricity. Below is the paragraph that will help children write an essay on saving electricity:

Electricity is one of humanity’s greatest discoveries. The discovery of electricity signalled the start of bigger findings relevant to humankind. Electricity has transformed our way of living, and it should be saved at home and in the workplace, organisations, and classrooms. Every individual should be responsible for saving power. Saving electricity saves money as well. We, as students, must take responsibility for switching off lights and equipment when not in use. Appliances that are not in use should also be unplugged. Installing solar panels is beneficial and cost-effective.

Power drives the world, and if we have plenty of it, we also have responsibility. Given below is the essay for classes 1, 2 and 3 on saving electricity.

We should conserve energy. We require electricity at all times and for a variety of social purposes. Electricity is seen as the heart of existence, without which the entire world remains black at night in the current world. Our healthcare, teaching, farming, technology, and other specialised activities depend on electricity. The expert in the activity theatre, the engineer in the industry, the engine technician in the garage, the officer at the workplace, and the passengers at the train station, all benefit from the administration provided by electricity. Indeed, even our minor efforts to conserve electricity will be beneficial. We should be careful about the electric devices we use at home. Fans, lighting, air conditioning systems, coolers, and water heaters must be used properly. TVs should not be turned on when nobody is watching them. We should use sunlight wherever we can as it will help conserve energy. We should all make an effort to preserve electricity.

Electricity saved is electricity generated. This essay for class 3 on saving electricity will help your child organise their thoughts:

Electricity is one of the most important resources for any lifestyle. Our daily lives are powered by electricity. It is difficult to picture living without electricity now. Thus, preserving electricity is critical for human survival.

Uses of Electricity

We use electricity in nearly every aspect of our lives; we require it to live a pleasant life full of comforts and services. Without power, the world will become dormant. Electricity, for example, powers all medical and educational institutions. If there is no power, a surgeon cannot execute the necessary surgeries, and students cannot obtain practical experience, for which the internet is crucial. Similarly, workers in workshops and engineers in plants rely on electricity to perform properly. Passengers on the railway and airport may also travel securely because there is electricity around.

Why Is It Important to Save Electricity?

Electricity sources are likely to run out. Energy, it is true, cannot be generated or destroyed. However, the energy sources from which it is derived are expected to diminish. For example, coal, which significantly contributes to the creation of power, is rapidly decreasing. This necessitates energy conservation. Saving electricity aids in the conservation of natural resources, allowing for economic savings.

Ways To Save Electricity

There is no industrial sector or other areas in today’s world where electricity is not utilised. People must realise that even little steps may go a long way toward saving power.

• We should use natural light more often and turn off the lights in the morning and afternoon when it is not needed.
• We should make every effort to make our own homes more energy efficient.
• Remember to disconnect your electrical appliances when they are not in use since even when they are inactive, they consume 10% of the power. Unplug them to conserve electricity.
• All outdated appliances that use a lot of power should be replaced.
• One of the most effective strategies to save power is to use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.

Your child will learn to think about different aspects of electricity. It will develop their observation and thought process toward electricity. They will also learn about the importance of saving electricity.

1. Who Invented Electricity, And When?

Benjamin Franklin invented electricity in 1752.

2. What Are The Names Of Some Less Useful Electric Appliances?

• Backyard Lamps
• Egg boilers

Writing an essay on topics like saving electricity plays a major role in developing their social and mental ability. Your child will observe the importance of electricity around them and try to write them down, improving their creative and expressive skills.

Essay on Recycling for Class 1, 2 and 3 Kids Essay on Save The Environment for Classes 1 to 3 Children How to Write An Essay on Kindness for Lower Primary Classes Kids

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• Energy efficiency
• How to save energy

16 ways to conserve energy and save on your bills

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As subject matter experts, we provide only objective information. We design every article to provide you with deeply-researched, factual, useful information so that you can make informed home electrification and financial decisions. We have:

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We won't charge you anything to get quotes through our marketplace. Instead, installers and other service providers pay us a small fee to participate after we vet them for reliability and suitability. To learn more, read about how we make money and our Editorial Guidelines .

Saving energy doesn't mean you have to do less or sacrifice any creature comforts. Thanks to new, more efficient (and often affordable) tech, it's easier than ever to get more out of your home while conserving electricity and other fuels, shrinking your utility bills, and reducing your environmental impact. Here are some of the lowest-hanging fruit you can start picking off in your home.

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1. Replace your light bulbs

Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume excessive electricity and don't last as long as energy-efficient alternatives. When shopping for light bulbs, look for the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, Energy Star. For reference, Energy Star-certified LED light bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy than an incandescent light bulb while providing the same amount of light. Although energy-efficient bulbs can be more expensive off the shelf, their efficient energy use and longer lifetimes mean they cost less in the long run.

2. Use smart power strips

"Phantom energy," also known as "standby energy" or "vampire energy," is the electricity used by electronics when turned off or in standby mode. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) , standby energy accounts for 5 to 10 percent of residential energy use and costs the average U.S. household as much as $100 per year. Smart power strips, also known as advanced power strips, eliminate the problem of phantom loads by shutting off the power to electronics when they are not in use. Smart power strips can turn off appliances at an assigned time, during a period of inactivity, through remote switches, or based on the status of a "master" device.

3. Install a programmable or smart thermostat

Smart thermostats can help reduce heating and cooling energy use without upgrading your HVAC system. Smart thermostats can automatically turn off or reduce heating and cooling while asleep or away and come in different models to fit your weekly schedule. 

According to ENERGY STAR , a smart thermostat could save you approximately 8 percent of your heating and cooling bills. Savings may vary based on your local climate, personal comfort preferences, how many people live in your home, and the type and age of HVAC equipment in your home. Some smart thermostats even indicate when to replace air filters or HVAC system problems to further improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. 

Learn more about smart thermostats like Google Nest and Ecobee .

4. Purchase energy-efficient appliances

When purchasing an appliance, you should pay attention to two numbers: the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. Although energy-efficient appliances might have higher upfront purchase prices, they usually save money on your monthly utility bill.

When purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star is a federal guarantee that the appliance will consume less energy than standard models. Importantly, energy savings differ based on the specific appliance. For example, Energy Star-certified clothes washers use approximately 20 percent less energy than standard models, whereas Energy Star refrigerators use 9 percent less energy.

5. Reduce your water heating expenses

Water heating significantly contributes to your total energy usage. Other than purchasing an energy-efficient water heater, there are three ways to reduce your water heating expenses: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, or insulate your water heater with the first six feet of hot and cold water pipes.

When shopping for efficient water heaters, consider the type of water heater that meets your needs and the fuel it will use. For example, tankless water heaters are energy efficient, but they are also a poor choice for large families as they cannot handle multiple and simultaneous uses of hot water. Heat pump water heaters are one of the most efficient ways to heat your home's water. Energy Star-certified heat pump water heaters can save a household of four people approximately $550 per year on its electric bills compared to a standard electric water heater. While heat pump water heaters usually have a higher upfront cost, tax credits and rebates are available to many homeowners looking to upgrade to a heat pump water heater.

6. Install energy-efficient windows

According to the Department of Energy (DOE) , heat gain and loss through windows account for 25 to 30 percent of most homes' heating and cooling energy. You can replace single-pane windows with double-pane products to prevent heat loss through your windows. For homes in colder regions, "low-e" storm windows are more insulating and can significantly reduce your heating expenses. In addition, low-e interior or exterior storm windows can reduce unnecessary heat loss by 10 to 30 percent. You should especially consider storm windows if your area frequently experiences extreme weather.

In warmer climates, heat gain through windows may be a problem. In addition to minimizing heat loss, low-e coatings on windows can reduce heat gain by reflecting more light and lowering the amount of thermal energy that enters your home. Energy Star breaks down the most efficient windows by climate or area of the U.S. on its website . Window shades, shutters, screens, and awnings can also provide an extra layer of insulation between your home and outside temperatures, leading to more energy conservation and better energy management. Some states and utility companies also offer incentives for replacing windows with more energy-efficient versions.

When shopping for energy-efficient windows, there are two key labels to look for:

Energy Star label: review details on this label just as you would on appliances

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label : helps you compare between energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights by providing you with energy performance ratings in multiple categories.

7. Upgrade your HVAC system

An HVAC system comprises heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with Energy Star-certified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $140 . Whether you select heat pumps or a natural gas furnace, you'll want to ensure the HVAC equipment you choose is sufficient for your climate. Heat pumps are advantageous because they efficiently heat and cool your home. Otherwise, you'll need two systems: an air conditioner to cool and a furnace or boiler to heat.

Upgrades to ventilation can also improve your energy efficiency. A ventilation system comprises a network of ducts that distribute hot and cold air throughout your home. If these ducts are not properly sealed or insulated, the resulting energy waste can add hundreds of dollars to your annual heating and cooling expenses. Proper insulation and maintenance on your ventilation system can reduce your heating and cooling expenses by up to 20 percent.

8. Weatherize your home

Weatherizing, or sealing air leaks around your home, is another way to reduce your heating and cooling expenses. The shield or "building envelope" between the inside and outside provides a barrier to weather, air, and moisture. The most common sources of air leaks into your home are vents, windows, and doors. Ensure there are no cracks or openings between the wall and vent, window, or doorframe to prevent these leaks.

You can apply caulk to seal air leaks between stationary objects, such as the wall and window frame, and weather stripping for cracks between moving objects, such as operable windows and doors. Weather stripping and caulking are simple air-sealing techniques that typically offer a return on investment in less than a year. Air leaks can also occur through openings in the wall, floor, and ceiling from plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring.

Hot air rises and escapes through small openings, whether through ducts, light fixtures, or the attic hatch. As the natural flow of heat is from warmer to cooler areas, these small openings can make your heating bill even higher if your attic is not sufficiently insulated. Some approaches to energy efficiency, such as the Passive House standard , include a specific standard of thermal performance for the building envelope. Consider fully insulating your home to get the most out of weatherization.

9. Insulate your home

Insulation plays a crucial role in lowering your utility bills by retaining heat during the winter and keeping heat out of your home during the summer. The level of insulation you should install depends on the area of your house. Your attic, walls, floors, basement, and crawlspace are the five main areas where you should consider adding insulation. Consider receiving an energy audit to help you determine if you need to add insulation.

10. Get a home energy audit

Here's what a typical energy audit might look like in your home:

An energy auditor will look at your building from the outside. They'll examine various components, including windows, walls, and eaves, to see if they can spot any significant issues causing leaks into or out of your home.

The auditor will check out the attic (if you have one) to look at a few things. Most importantly, they'll inspect your insulation to ensure it's correctly installed and applied evenly between your walls. They'll also evaluate the holes where electrical lines run to see if they're properly sealed or could be a source of leakage.

The auditor will examine your furnace and water heater. If either is on the older side, it's likely a candidate for an upgrade. They'll also probably look at the filter in the furnace to ensure it doesn't require replacement. They'll check connections in the ducts in your basement to try and locate any possible leaks where you may be losing heat and energy. 

Most professional audits will include a blower door test. This device allows them to locate air leakage and test air quality in your home. During a blower door test, all the windows and doors are closed, and they'll use a blower door machine to depressurize the house. At that point, the auditor often uses an infrared camera to see where cold air may leak into your home and identify opportunities for air sealing.

Finally, audits usually include an inspection of the lighting in your home. 

What you pay for a professional energy audit often depends on the company and size of your property (some companies offer fixed rates, while others will charge more for a larger home). Even as a paid service, the upfront cost for an energy audit and the following energy efficiency updates are usually worth it when you save on your electricity bills down the line. In fact, by making energy efficiency upgrades in your home, you can save between 5 and 30 percent on your energy bills, according to the DOE.

Pairing solar power and energy efficiency

Combining solar power and energy efficiency can maximize your financial benefit in the long run. Your solar panel system produces renewable energy on your property, but as with any technology, it will degrade and produce less energy over time. An energy audit will help you maintain lower electricity bills as your solar panel system ages.

Some solar loan products enable you to bundle financing for your solar panel system and energy efficiency measures in one package. In many cases, these financing options offer lower interest rates, a higher maximum loan amount, or other incentives to make it easier for you to do both.

11. Wash your clothes in cold water when possible

Washing clothes is a necessary chore and part of the weekly routine of most Americans, but it's also energy-intensive. According to Energy Star , heating water uses about 90 percent of the energy to operate a clothes washer. Fortunately, some claim that washing in cold water can increase the lifespan of your clothes!

12. Clean or replace your air filters

Many home systems, like your HVAC, use filters that must be replaced or cleaned regularly. Clean filters are more efficient and put less strain on your system, but this step often gets overlooked. It's best to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific equipment, but in general, you'll want to clean them every month or two.

13. Use your toaster oven

Along with other household chores, heating food is necessary but energy-taxing. Using a toaster oven instead of a regular oven can be an energy-saver if you have smaller portions. Overall, microwaves are the most energy-efficient ways to reheat food.

14. Use natural light

Using light from the sun is an intuitive way to reduce energy consumption. North and south-facing windows allow for more glancing light that produces heat and limits harsh light in the winter. While east and west-facing windows allow for more direct sunlight, they aren't as effective at letting heat in. Trees and nearby structures can also shade a building's surfaces and block winds from different directions.

15. Dress for the weather

While it may seem obvious to bundle up when going out in the winter, doing so inside can also help save on your heating costs. If you stay warm by wearing more clothes indoors, you can reduce the energy needed to heat your home.

16. Adjust your day to day behaviors

Luckily, you don't always need to purchase new energy-efficient products to reduce energy consumption in your home. Energy conservation can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances when you're not using them! Performing household tasks manually also avoids the use of energy-intensive appliances. For example, hang-drying your clothes conserves the energy your clothes dryer would use otherwise. 

Heating and cooling costs typically impact utility bills the most, so reductions in the intensity and frequency of those activities offer the most significant savings. Energy monitors help you understand where most of your electricity is going in your home and which appliances use the most electricity daily.

Energy efficient products for your home

There are many different products you can purchase to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your overall energy consumption. Below are some examples of ways you can leverage renewable energy sources and reduce your dependence on fossil fuels:

Solar panels

Solar panels can help you use available energy from the sun to power your home, so you can harness that energy to power your home. 

Solar batteries

You can install solar batteries when you install solar panels, allowing you to store the extra solar energy your panels generate when the sun goes down as well as other benefits like increased energy savings.

An alternative to having two different HVAC systems to heat and cool your home, air source heat pumps are a type of heating and cooling system that moves heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer.

Frequently asked questions

What wastes the most electricity in the average household?

An HVAC system uses the most energy of anything in the home. Heating and cooling use about half of your home's energy, according to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

What is the average electric bill for a house and apartment?

The average electric bill is $198 according to data from our nationwide EnergySage marketplace. It varies greatly depending on location and home size. 

Does unplugging things save money?

Unplugging unused devices around your home can be an easy way to save 5-10% on your electricity bill, according the the U.S. Department of Energy.

How can I save energy while at work?

Installing a smart thermometer, insulating your home, and upgrading your HVAC system are all ways to save energy while you’re at work.

Which month has the highest energy consumption?

Electricity usage is typically highest during the summer months when homes and offices use air conditioning to stay cool.

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IELTS Preparation Courses

Writing Task 1 Line Graph Sample Answer (US Consumption of Energy)

Below is a sample Task 1 question on line graphs. It uses the following structure.

Paragraph 1

Paraphrase question

Paragraph 2

Overview  of 2 main features. You will notice that I have included no numbers and used very general language.

Paragraph 3

Details of the first main feature. Here I have gone into more detail about the first general point I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

Paragraph 4

Details of the second main feature.

You will notice that I have written a lot more about the first feature. I did this because I think the most used fuels and more significant. You will also notice that I shortened ‘Quadrillion units’ to ‘q’. This is acceptable if you tell the examiner this by putting it in brackets, as I have done.

Don’t look at the answer yet try to do the question without any help and then compare it with my answer.

The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about energy consumption in the USA since 1980, with projections until 2030.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant.

Source: Cambridge English IELTS Past Papers.

The line graph shows energy consumption by fuel type in the United States from 1980-2008, with projected use until 2030.

Overall, fossil fuels have been the dominant type and will continue this trend into the future. Nuclear and renewable energy sources have represented a small but significant proportion of total energy use, and despite small projected gains, they are projected to continue doing so.

Petrol and Oil command the biggest share with 35 quadrillion units (35q) in 1980, rising to approximately 40q in 2008, and this trend is set to continue with a projected value of nearly 50q in 2030. In 1980 natural gas and coal came in second and third, with around 16q and 20q, respectively. However, coal overtook natural gas in 1990 and, despite some fluctuation, is set to be the second most used fuel in 2030 with just over 30q. It is predicted that natural gas will level off and remain relatively constant at about 25q.

Nuclear and renewable energies all represented around 4q in 1980 and fluctuated up until 2008.  It is speculated that nuclear energy will reach 10q by 2030 and solar/wind around 5q, with hydropower dropping and then remaining constant at approximately 2q.

I hope you have found this useful and if there are other questions you would like me to answer, just let me know in the comments section below.

For a more detailed post, visit how to answer IELTS task 1 chart questions .

You may also find my grammar guide for IELTS task 1 useful. It has lots of phrases to help you describe data.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

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Giant Batteries Are Transforming the Way the U.S. Uses Electricity

They’re delivering solar power after dark in California and helping to stabilize grids in other states. And the technology is expanding rapidly.

By Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich

How California powered itself in April 2021 …

and in April 2024.

Peak demand

average daily generation, by fuel type

Solar power

Source: California Independent System Operator via Grid Status

Please see the bottom of this page for notes.

By The New York Times

California draws more electricity from the sun than any other state. It also has a timing problem: Solar power is plentiful during the day but disappears by evening, just as people get home from work and electricity demand spikes. To fill the gap, power companies typically burn more fossil fuels like natural gas.

That’s now changing. Since 2020, California has installed more giant batteries than anywhere in the world apart from China. They can soak up excess solar power during the day and store it for use when it gets dark.

Those batteries play a pivotal role in California’s electric grid, partially replacing fossil fuels in the evening. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on April 30, for example, batteries supplied more than one-fifth of California’s electricity and, for a few minutes, pumped out 7,046 megawatts of electricity, akin to the output from seven large nuclear reactors.

Across the country, power companies are increasingly using giant batteries the size of shipping containers to address renewable energy’s biggest weakness: the fact that the wind and sun aren’t always available.

“What’s happening in California is a glimpse of what could happen to other grids in the future,” said Helen Kou, head of U.S. power analysis at BloombergNEF, a research firm. “Batteries are quickly moving from these niche applications to shifting large amounts of renewable energy toward peak demand periods.”

Over the past three years, battery storage capacity on the nation’s grids has grown tenfold, to 16,000 megawatts. This year, it is expected to nearly double again, with the biggest growth in Texas, California and Arizona.

Battery Storage Plants Across the United States U.S.

California has more

grid-scale battery storage than any other state.

Net summer operating capacity

Texas is quickly adding new battery capacity.

California has more grid-scale battery storage than any other state.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Note: Each circle represents a facility that has at least one battery as of March 2024.

Most grid batteries use lithium-ion technology, similar to batteries in smartphones or electric cars. As the electric vehicle industry has expanded over the past decade, battery costs have fallen by 80 percent, making them competitive for large-scale power storage. Federal subsidies have also spurred growth .

As batteries have proliferated, power companies are using them in novel ways, such as handling big swings in electricity generation from solar and wind farms, reducing congestion on transmission lines and helping to prevent blackouts during scorching heat waves.

In California, which has set ambitious goals for fighting climate change, policymakers hope grid batteries can help the state get 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045. While the state remains heavily dependent on natural gas, a significant contributor to global warming, batteries are starting to eat into the market for fossil fuels. State regulators plan to nearly triple battery capacity by 2035.

“The future is bright for energy storage,” said Andrés Gluski, chief executive of AES Corporation, one of the world’s largest power companies. “If you want more renewables on the grid, you need more batteries. It’s not going to work otherwise.”

How Batteries Work on the Grid Today

A battery storage facility under construction in Menifee, Calif., in March. The site, at 43 acres, is expected to be the largest in the state when completed.

Mike Blake/Reuters

When power companies first began connecting batteries to the grid in the 2010s, they mainly used them to smooth out small disruptions in the flow of electricity, say, if a power plant unexpectedly tripped offline. Many battery operators still earn most of their revenue by providing these “ancillary services.”

But power companies also use batteries to engage in a type of trading: charging up when electricity is plentiful and cheap and then selling power to the grid when electricity supplies are tighter and more expensive.

In California power prices often crash around midday, when the state produces more solar power than it needs, especially in the spring when air-conditioning use is low. Prices then soar in the evening when solar disappears and grid operators have to increase output from gas plants or hydroelectric dams to compensate.

California How Batteries Operated on the Grid in April 2024

April 30: Peak

battery output

Batteries mostly charge during the middle of the day, when cheap solar power is abundant.

+6,000 megawatts

Each line is a

day in April

April 8: Solar

−2,000

And discharge when the sun goes down, sending power back to the grid.

−4,000

How batteries operated on the grid

in California in April 2024

Sources: California Independent System Operator via Grid Status

California now has 10,000 megawatts of battery power capacity on the grid , enough to power 10 million homes for a few hours. Those batteries are “able to very effectively manage that evening ramp where solar is going down and customer demand is increasing,” said John Phipps, executive director of grid operations for the California Independent System Operator, which oversees the state’s grid.

Batteries can also help California’s grid handle stresses from heat waves and wildfires, Mr. Phipps said. “It made some differences last summer,” he said. “We were able to meet high load days and wildfire days when we might lose some power lines.”

In Texas, batteries are still largely used to provide ancillary services, stabilizing the grid against unexpected disruptions. Texas is also more reliant than California on wind energy, which fluctuates in less predictable patterns.

But Texas is quickly catching up to California in solar power, and batteries increasingly help with evening peaks. On April 28, the sun was setting just as wind power was unexpectedly low and many coal and gas plants were offline for repairs. Batteries jumped in, supplying 4 percent of Texas’ electricity at one point , enough to power a million homes. Last summer, batteries helped avert evening blackouts by providing additional power during record heat.

Texas How Batteries Operated on the Grid in April 2024

April 28: Peak

+2,000 megawatts

in Texas in April 2024

Sources: Electric Reliability Council of Texas via Grid Status

The two states built their battery fleets in distinct ways. In California, regulatory mandates were a key impetus: In 2019, officials worried that too many older gas plants were closing, risking blackouts, and ordered utilities to quickly install thousands of megawatts of storage.

In Texas, market forces dominate. The state’s deregulated electricity system allows prices to fluctuate sharply, rising as high as $5,000 per megawatt-hour during acute shortages. That makes it lucrative for battery developers to take advantage of spikes, such as in locations where power lines periodically get clogged.

“Anywhere we think the market is going to get tight, you can put batteries in and even things out,” said Stephanie Smith, chief operating officer of Eolian, a battery developer. “Then, we’re making bets all day about when to charge and discharge.”

One battery, for instance, sits near Fort Worth, absorbing excess wind power from West Texas during the nighttime, when no one needs it, and feeding it into the grid when demand surges.

Other states are following. In Arizona and Georgia, utilities plan to install thousands of megawatts of battery capacity to help manage rising demand from data centers and factories. It helps that batteries can be deployed quickly, said Aaron Mitchell, vice president of planning and pricing at Georgia Power.

The industry still faces obstacles, however. Lithium-ion batteries are flammable, and while operators have taken steps to reduce fire risk, some communities oppose projects in their backyards . Most batteries still come from China, making them vulnerable to trade disputes. In Texas, a state fund to subsidize gas plants could undercut the battery boom. In other states, complex regulations sometimes prevent utilities from adding energy storage .

“Because these storage resources are so new, the rules are still catching up,” said Natalie McIntire, who works on grid issues for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group.

Can Grid Batteries Help Fight Climate Change?

Wind turbines near Sweetwater, Texas. Nationwide, battery storage is being used to address renewable energy’s biggest weakness: the fact that the wind and sun aren’t always available.

Tamir Kalifa for The New York Times

Grid batteries could be a useful tool to slash planet-warming emissions, experts say, though they still need further advances in terms of costs, technologies and how they are used.

In Texas, many batteries today are actually increasing carbon-dioxide emissions, according to one analysis . That’s because operators focus on maximizing revenue and sometimes charge with coal or gas power.

“These batteries have an immense capability to abate carbon, but they need the right incentives to do so,” said Emma Konet, co-founder of Tierra Climate , a startup working to help batteries earn money for reducing emissions.

In California, by contrast, batteries appear to be cutting emissions from fossil fuels. The state’s gas use in April fell to a seven-year low . “We have reached the conclusion that batteries are displacing natural gas when solar generation is ramping up and down each day,” said Max Kanter, chief executive of Grid Status, an electricity data tracking firm.

Yet California still gets roughly 40 percent of its electricity from natural gas, and it could be difficult for current battery technology to replace all of that. One analysis from BloombergNEF found that solar and batteries can be a cost-effective alternative to smaller gas “peaker” plants that only switch on when demand spikes. But batteries remain too costly to replace many of the larger gas-burning plants that provide steadier power day and night.

“You don’t want to necessarily build a system where you’ve got batteries to suck up every last megawatt-hour, because that’s a pretty expensive system,” said Meredith Fowlie, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley.

Today’s lithium-ion batteries typically only deliver power for two to four hours before needing to recharge. If costs keep falling, battery companies might be able to extend that to eight or ten hours (it’s a matter of adding more battery packs) but it may not be economical to go far beyond that, said Nate Blair, an energy storage expert at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

That means additional long-duration storage technologies could be needed. If California wants to rely largely on renewable energy, it will have to handle weeklong periods where there’s no wind and little sun . Another challenge: There’s far more solar power available in summer than in winter, and no battery today can store electricity for months to manage those seasonal disparities.

Some companies are exploring solutions. In Sacramento, a start-up called ESS is building “flow” batteries that store energy in liquid electrolytes and can last 12 hours or longer. Another start-up, Form Energy, is building a 100-hour iron-air battery . These ideas will have to compete against alternatives like nuclear power, advanced geothermal or even using green hydrogen to store electricity .

California’s regulators say they may need five times as much storage capacity by midcentury, even if it’s unclear which technologies will prevail.

“We’re just at the beginning of this,” said Mr. Phipps of the California Independent System Operator.

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

In the top graphic, charts reflect average daily power generation, by fuel type, in five-minute increments for the month of April. The charts show imports from other regions, as well as times when battery power is discharged to the grid, but they do not show battery charging or electricity exports. The data reflects utility-scale generation and does not include “behind-the-meter” sources, such as rooftop solar panels. No adjustments are made for variations in weather.

The California Independent System Operator’s method for counting natural gas generation resources changed in December 2023 . Before then, the organization had been slightly overcounting gas “on the range of a few hundred megawatts,” according to a spokesperson.

Average sunrise and sunset times are shown on the charts.

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Scientists have already established that the summer of 2023 was the warmest in the Northern Hemisphere since around 1850. Now, researchers say it was the hottest in 2,000 years .

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an obscure climate agency , approved sweeping changes to how America’s electric grids are planned and funded . The new rule could help speed up wind and solar energy.

Officials in California have told scientists to stop testing a device  that might one day be used to artificially cool the planet by making clouds brighter , reflecting planet-warming sunlight back into space.

A Cosmic Perspective:  Alarmed by the climate crisis and its impact on their work, a growing number of astronomers  are using their expertise to fight back.

Struggling N.Y.C. Neighborhoods:  New data projects are linking social issues with global warming. Here’s what that means for five communities in New York .

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What is climate change mitigation and why is it urgent?

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• Climate change mitigation involves actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
• Mitigation efforts include transitioning to renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, adopting regenerative agricultural practices and protecting and restoring forests and critical ecosystems.
• Effective mitigation requires a whole-of-society approach and structural transformations to reduce emissions and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
• International cooperation, for example through the Paris Agreement, is crucial in guiding and achieving global and national mitigation goals.
• Mitigation efforts face challenges such as the world's deep-rooted dependency on fossil fuels, the increased demand for new mineral resources and the difficulties in revamping our food systems.
• These challenges also offer opportunities to improve resilience and contribute to sustainable development.

What is climate change mitigation?

Climate change mitigation refers to any action taken by governments, businesses or people to reduce or prevent greenhouse gases, or to enhance carbon sinks that remove them from the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun in our planet’s atmosphere, keeping it warm. 

Since the industrial era began, human activities have led to the release of dangerous levels of greenhouse gases, causing global warming and climate change. However, despite unequivocal research about the impact of our activities on the planet’s climate and growing awareness of the severe danger climate change poses to our societies, greenhouse gas emissions keep rising. If we can slow down the rise in greenhouse gases, we can slow down the pace of climate change and avoid its worst consequences.

Reducing greenhouse gases can be achieved by:

• Shifting away from fossil fuels : Fossil fuels are the biggest source of greenhouse gases, so transitioning to modern renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power, and advancing sustainable modes of transportation, is crucial.
• Improving energy efficiency : Using less energy overall – in buildings, industries, public and private spaces, energy generation and transmission, and transportation – helps reduce emissions. This can be achieved by using thermal comfort standards, better insulation and energy efficient appliances, and by improving building design, energy transmission systems and vehicles.
• Changing agricultural practices : Certain farming methods release high amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, which are potent greenhouse gases. Regenerative agricultural practices – including enhancing soil health, reducing livestock-related emissions, direct seeding techniques and using cover crops – support mitigation, improve resilience and decrease the cost burden on farmers.
• The sustainable management and conservation of forests : Forests act as carbon sinks , absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Measures to reduce deforestation and forest degradation are key for climate mitigation and generate multiple additional benefits such as biodiversity conservation and improved water cycles.
• Restoring and conserving critical ecosystems : In addition to forests, ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands, as well as coastal biomes such as mangrove forests, also contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, while supporting biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience.
• Creating a supportive environment : Investments, policies and regulations that encourage emission reductions, such as incentives, carbon pricing and limits on emissions from key sectors are crucial to driving climate change mitigation.

Photo: Stephane Bellerose/UNDP Mauritius

Photo: La Incre and Lizeth Jurado/PROAmazonia

What is the 1.5°C goal and why do we need to stick to it?

In 2015, 196 Parties to the UN Climate Convention in Paris adopted the Paris Agreement , a landmark international treaty, aimed at curbing global warming and addressing the effects of climate change. Its core ambition is to cap the rise in global average temperatures to well below 2°C above levels observed prior to the industrial era, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.

The 1.5°C goal is extremely important, especially for vulnerable communities already experiencing severe climate change impacts. Limiting warming below 1.5°C will translate into less extreme weather events and sea level rise, less stress on food production and water access, less biodiversity and ecosystem loss, and a lower chance of irreversible climate consequences.

To limit global warming to the critical threshold of 1.5°C, it is imperative for the world to undertake significant mitigation action. This requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent before 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.

What are the policy instruments that countries can use to drive mitigation?

Everyone has a role to play in climate change mitigation, from individuals adopting sustainable habits and advocating for change to governments implementing regulations, providing incentives and facilitating investments. The private sector, particularly those businesses and companies responsible for causing high emissions, should take a leading role in innovating, funding and driving climate change mitigation solutions. 

International collaboration and technology transfer is also crucial given the global nature and size of the challenge. As the main platform for international cooperation on climate action, the Paris Agreement has set forth a series of responsibilities and policy tools for its signatories. One of the primary instruments for achieving the goals of the treaty is Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) . These are the national climate pledges that each Party is required to develop and update every five years. NDCs articulate how each country will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.   While NDCs include short- to medium-term targets, long-term low emission development strategies (LT-LEDS) are policy tools under the Paris Agreement through which countries must show how they plan to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century. These strategies define a long-term vision that gives coherence and direction to shorter-term national climate targets.

Photo: Mucyo Serge/UNDP Rwanda

Photo: William Seal/UNDP Sudan

At the same time, the call for climate change mitigation has evolved into a call for reparative action, where high-income countries are urged to rectify past and ongoing contributions to the climate crisis. This approach reflects the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which advocates for climate justice, recognizing the unequal historical responsibility for the climate crisis, emphasizing that wealthier countries, having profited from high-emission activities, bear a greater obligation to lead in mitigating these impacts. This includes not only reducing their own emissions, but also supporting vulnerable countries in their transition to low-emission development pathways.

Another critical aspect is ensuring a just transition for workers and communities that depend on the fossil fuel industry and its many connected industries. This process must prioritize social equity and create alternative employment opportunities as part of the shift towards renewable energy and more sustainable practices.

For emerging economies, innovation and advancements in technology have now demonstrated that robust economic growth can be achieved with clean, sustainable energy sources. By integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind and geothermal power into their growth strategies, these economies can reduce their emissions, enhance energy security and create new economic opportunities and jobs. This shift not only contributes to global mitigation efforts but also sets a precedent for sustainable development.

What are some of the challenges slowing down climate change mitigation efforts?

Mitigating climate change is fraught with complexities, including the global economy's deep-rooted dependency on fossil fuels and the accompanying challenge of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies. This reliance – and the vested interests that have a stake in maintaining it – presents a significant barrier to transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

The shift towards decarbonization and renewable energy is driving increased demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth metals. Since new mining projects can take up to 15 years to yield output, mineral supply chains could become a bottleneck for decarbonization efforts. In addition, these minerals are predominantly found in a few, mostly low-income countries, which could heighten supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.

Furthermore, due to the significant demand for these minerals and the urgency of the energy transition, the scaled-up investment in the sector has the potential to exacerbate environmental degradation, economic and governance risks, and social inequalities, affecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and workers. Addressing these concerns necessitates implementing social and environmental safeguards, embracing circular economy principles, and establishing and enforcing responsible policies and regulations .

Agriculture is currently the largest driver of deforestation worldwide. A transformation in our food systems to reverse the impact that agriculture has on forests and biodiversity is undoubtedly a complex challenge. But it is also an important opportunity. The latest IPCC report highlights that adaptation and mitigation options related to land, water and food offer the greatest potential in responding to the climate crisis. Shifting to regenerative agricultural practices will not only ensure a healthy, fair and stable food supply for the world’s population, but also help to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Photo: UNDP India

Photo: Nino Zedginidze/UNDP Georgia

What are some examples of climate change mitigation?

In Mauritius , UNDP, with funding from the Green Climate Fund, has supported the government to install battery energy storage capacity that has enabled 50 MW of intermittent renewable energy to be connected to the grid, helping to avoid 81,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. 

In Indonesia , UNDP has been working with the government for over a decade to support sustainable palm oil production. In 2019, the country adopted a National Action Plan on Sustainable Palm Oil, which was collaboratively developed by government, industry and civil society representatives. The plan increased the adoption of practices to minimize the adverse social and environmental effects of palm oil production and to protect forests. Since 2015, 37 million tonnes of direct greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided and 824,000 hectares of land with high conservation value have been protected.

In Moldova and Paraguay , UNDP has helped set up Green City Labs that are helping build more sustainable cities. This is achieved by implementing urban land use and mobility planning, prioritizing energy efficiency in residential buildings, introducing low-carbon public transport, implementing resource-efficient waste management, and switching to renewable energy sources. 

UNDP has supported the governments of Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Indonesia to implement results-based payments through the REDD+ (Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries) framework. These include payments for environmental services and community forest management programmes that channel international climate finance resources to local actors on the ground, specifically forest communities and Indigenous Peoples. 

UNDP is also supporting small island developing states like the Comoros to invest in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Through the Africa Minigrids Program , solar minigrids will be installed in two priority communities, Grand Comore and Moheli, providing energy access through distributed renewable energy solutions to those hardest to reach.

And in South Africa , a UNDP initative to boost energy efficiency awareness among the general population and improve labelling standards has taken over commercial shopping malls.

What is UNDP’s role in supporting climate change mitigation?

UNDP aims to assist countries with their climate change mitigation efforts, guiding them towards sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient development. This support is in line with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG11), and climate action (SDG13). Specifically, UNDP’s offer of support includes developing and improving legislation and policy, standards and regulations, capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and financial mobilization for countries to pilot and scale-up mitigation solutions such as renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives and sustainable land-use practices. 

With financial support from the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, UNDP has an active portfolio of 94 climate change mitigation projects in 69 countries. These initiatives are not only aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also at contributing to sustainable and resilient development pathways.

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The Effect of Energy Consumption on Economic Growth: a Scientometric Analysis

• Published: 07 May 2024

Cite this article

• Ruchika Gahlot   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7746-993X 1 &
• Madhur Garg 1  

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This research employs science mapping techniques to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 409 scholarly articles extracted from Scopus, spanning the period from 2003 to 2023. The primary objective of this study is to compile and categorize existing literature, identifying its primary thematic focuses within the domain of energy consumption and economic growth. Additionally, we aim to pinpoint gaps in the existing literature and propose potential research opportunities within this realm. Our findings reveal several significant insights. Firstly, prior studies predominantly examine the linkage between energy consumption and economic growth at an aggregate level, with limited exploration of specific energy sources such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, and hydroelectric power. Secondly, a dearth of research exists on the nexus between CO 2 emissions, energy consumption, and GDP growth in Asian countries. Lastly, urbanization, globalization, government spending, financial development, and population factors remain largely unexplored in relation to energy consumption and economic growth. This study holds substantial value for both researchers and policymakers. By delineating the thematic focuses and identifying gaps in the literature, it offers crucial insights to guide future research endeavors. Furthermore, it provides a foundation for policymakers to formulate informed strategies aimed at addressing the intricate interplay between energy consumption and economic growth.

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Gahlot, R., Garg, M. The Effect of Energy Consumption on Economic Growth: a Scientometric Analysis. J Knowl Econ (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02048-y

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Sustainability in semiconductor operations: Toward net-zero production

Climate change is creating many life-threatening disruptions, including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and droughts. Faced with irrefutable evidence of global warming, almost 200 countries have committed to the 2016 Paris Agreement, a treaty that calls for accelerated decarbonization. This agreement is designed to limit the mean rise in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius from preindustrial levels to mitigate or prevent some of the most dangerous effects of climate change.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Ondrej Burkacky , Sebastian Göke, Mark Nikolka, Mark Patel , and Peter Spiller , representing views from McKinsey’s Semiconductors Practice.

While some semiconductor companies have created ambitious targets for reducing their emissions  and remaining on a 1.5°C pathway, many others have been less ambitious. The pressure to act may soon increase, however, since businesses across industries are now scrutinizing emissions along their entire supply chain—and in many cases, semiconductor companies will account for a substantial amount of them. Already, some of the semiconductor industry’s most important end customers, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, have committed to reaching net-zero emissions for their full value chain and set aggressive timelines for achieving their goals.

Some semiconductor companies have responded by setting their own emissions goals. For instance, Infineon plans to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 70 percent by 2025, compared with its 2019 baseline, and aspires to reach carbon neutrality for emissions directly under its control by the end of 2030. Intel recently committed to net-zero GHG emissions in its global operations by 2040 and has targeted achieving 100 percent use of renewable electricity as an interim milestone in 2030. Several semiconductor players have also committed to science-based targets, including STMicroelectronics, NXP, and UMC. Over the next few months or years, more semiconductor companies are expected to commit to ambitious and actionable emissions targets.

Achieving substantial emission reductions will require collaboration with peers and suppliers, as well as new technologies, innovative thinking, and the complete engagement of fabs. To help companies move forward, we reviewed the current state of greenhouse-gas emissions within the semiconductor sector and collected best practices for abatement. Our analysis allowed us to identify both short- and long-term solutions along the entire semiconductor value chain. This article focuses on scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are the ones that semiconductor fabs can directly control .

Achieving substantial emission reductions will require collaboration with peers and suppliers, as well as new technologies, innovative thinking, and the complete engagement of fabs.

Major sources of emissions from fabs

With about 80 percent of semiconductor manufacturing emissions falling into either scope 1 or scope 2 categories, fabs control a large portion of their GHG profile (Exhibit 1). 1 Scope 1 emissions are those from direct or controlled sources; scope 2 emissions are from generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling equipment; scope 3 upstream emissions include all other indirect emissions in a company’s value chain; and scope 3 downstream emissions are related to the use of products containing semiconductors. Scope 2 emissions, which represent the highest proportion of GHG from semiconductor companies, are linked to the energy required to run their extensive production facilities. The sources of these emissions include the following:

• tool fleets containing hundreds of manufacturing tools, such as lithography equipment, ion implanters, and high-temperature furnaces
• large clean rooms requiring climate and humidity control with overpressure and particle filtration
• extensive subfab facilities for gas abatement, exhaust pumps, water chillers, and water purification

As the node size of chips continues to shrink, energy requirements at production facilities are expected to rise significantly.

Scope 1 emissions, which also significantly add to fabs’ GHG emission profile, arise from process gases used during wafer etching, chamber cleaning, and other tasks. These gases, which include PFCs, HFCs, NF3, and N20, have high global-warming potential (GWP); they rise as node size shrinks. 2 Perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride, and nitrous oxide. Scope 1 emissions may also arise from high-GWP heat transfer fluids that may leak into the atmosphere when fabs use them in chillers to control wafer temperature during manufacturing processes.

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Additional emissions may come from upstream scope 3 sources, such as suppliers, chemicals and raw materials, or from transportation to customer facilities. These upstream emissions generally account for only about 20 percent of fabs’ GHG profile, however.

Semiconductor companies also generate downstream scope 3 emissions, which are related to use of products containing semiconductors. These vary significantly by use case. For instance, handheld devices with low power consumption during intermittent usage will have much lower emissions than data centers that operate 24/7. As will be discussed in a later article, product design influences scope 3 emissions, giving fabs little control over them during operations.

Critical levers for emissions improvement

To help fabs achieve substantial emissions reductions and accelerate decarbonization, we identified three areas that need immediate attention, as well as relevant improvement levers.

Decreasing energy consumption

Levers for reducing energy consumption are often directly aligned with other operational targets, such as cost reduction, making them easier to achieve. The many options available can be grouped into two major categories. The first group focuses on reducing tool-related energy consumption—for instance, by upgrading and replacing tools with more energy-efficient ones, implementing smart control systems to enable coupling and regulation of facilities and tools. The second group encompasses activities that involve reducing facility-related energy consumption though various measures, such as exclusive sourcing and use of energy from renewable sources, greater energy efficiency of buildings, and replacing existing lighting in fabs with LED fixtures.

To identify the greatest opportunities for decreasing energy consumption, fabs could look at benchmark-based targets and sources of energy loss. They could also review existing levers for energy reduction by tool and facility type. For instance, fabs might discover that they can improve energy consumption in clean rooms by reducing air pressure, increasing humidity, limiting air exchange in unused areas, or eliminating leaks in air-supply lines.

When optimizing process recipes, equipment engineers typically focus on overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and give little attention to tool-fleet energy consumption. New incentives, such as rewards for creating energy-efficient recipes, might help change this mindset. Fabs can also help decrease GHG emissions during operation by encouraging experts to share their knowledge of and experience with energy efficiency, using the same tools and mechanisms they employ when sharing strategies for optimizing OEE. To boost their odds of succeeding, fabs can include additional stakeholders in their power-consumption efforts, focusing on external tool suppliers that might be able to modify their equipment to increase efficiency, or those that offer retrofits or energy-saving options for new tools.

Optimizing energy supply

To ensure that sufficient power is always available, fabs often source their electricity from a combination of on-grid and off-grid sources. Most off-grid power comes from fab-owned fossil fuel power plants. Over the short term, fabs can significantly reduce the energy consumption of these plants by pursuing efficiency improvements or switching to alternative fuels such as biogas or green hydrogen. They can generate further gains by developing new off-grid power sources that rely on green technologies, such as photovoltaics, fuel cells, and battery energy storage systems. But these supplies often only complement, rather than replace, a fab’s long-standing on-grid sources.

For on-grid power, fabs may be able to reduce consumption by purchasing renewable electricity from utilities through green premium energy offerings, although the offerings vary widely by region. In Europe and the United States, for instance, renewable on-grid sourcing is readily available and accounts for up to 31 percent of grid energy; in many parts of Asia, however, renewable on-grid sourcing can be challenging because of limited availability (Exhibit 2).

Access to renewable energy may be a major factor as companies decide where they should build new fabs—something that is becoming more common as they try to increase capacity to alleviate the chip shortage.

Reducing process-gas emissions

Process gases can significantly increase global warming (Exhibit 3). Their emissions will vary based on a fab’s age and the sophistication of its abatement technology, but all facilities face some common challenges. Four levers, which are at different stages of maturity, may help reduce process-gas related emissions. Because of economic constraints and other issues, some fabs may not be able to apply some of these levers widely until the technology improves.

Process improvements. Fabs can reduce emissions by adjusting process parameters, such as temperature and chamber pressure. Process engineers often overlook this lever and instead focus solely on yield during optimization efforts, partly because they lack the knowledge and operational experience required to identify strategies for reducing GHG emissions. Similarly, the suppliers involved in daily tool operations and maintenance may prioritize cost and uptime targets over energy savings. If fabs address knowledge gaps and collaborate more closely with tool suppliers, they may improve emissions—for instance, by simultaneously optimizing yield and energy consumption during cleaning protocols.

Use of alternative chemistries. Fabs can sometimes lower emissions by switching to chemicals that have a lower environmental impact. However, they often encounter obstacles when attempting to use these chemistries; for example, it can be difficult to get suppliers on board with their plans. In addition, developing new solutions is both costly and time consuming, as is the process for qualifying new chemicals on existing processes and tools.

To address these roadblocks, fabs could emphasize that GHG reduction is a top priority when communicating with suppliers and note that they want to explore new solutions, including green-chemistry approaches. Fabs could then work closely with their partners to develop a path forward. For instance, fabs and suppliers could jointly create road maps for process-gas substitutions or codevelop alternatives. But even with this push, fabs must temper their short-term expectations about GHG improvement because few green solutions are now viable alternatives to current gases. (While fabs have already implemented some major improvements, such as increased use of NF3, many other shifts, including the replacement of NF3 with F2 or ozone, are still nascent.) Over the long term, fabs could see more gains if they continue encouraging suppliers to explore new solutions.

Strategies to lead in the semiconductor world

Gas abatement. Gas abatement will be the main lever to address emissions from process gases over the short to midterm, and this will remain the case until alternative gases with fewer emissions are available, or until gas recycling is widely adopted. Fabs that want to increase gas abatement can select from multiple options, including point-of-use (POU) systems for individual production tools, point-of-area (POA) systems, and central abatement systems. As they roll out and install new systems, fabs must balance the trade-offs related to cost, impact on operations, destruction and removal efficiency (DRE), and timing. Further adoption will also require suppliers to provide innovative technical solutions to do the following:

• Address space constraints, especially in older, 200-millimeter fabs with limited subfab space (for instance, by providing integrated solutions with a smaller footprint).
• Keep by-products, such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, low while increasing DRE.
• Prevent downtime of production tools during installation and maintenance of abatement systems.
• Enable regular system qualification, without affecting production, to achieve and report higher DREs.

Gas recycling. Fabs can capture unutilized process gases and by-products through various means, such as membrane separation, cryogenic recovery, adsorption, and desorption. They can then refine them into pure process gases that can be used again, potentially reducing process-gas emissions. For this lever to become economically viable, researchers will need to address major challenges related to the separation of process-gas outflows and purification.

Putting GHG emission reduction on the agenda

To help the semiconductor industry meet the critical challenge of reducing GHG emissions, fabs can take four steps to accelerate their decarbonization efforts:

• Create transparency about their scope 1, 2, and 3 (upstream) emissions.
• Set near-term and long-term emission targets.
• Consolidate existing ideas and estimate their expected costs and impact. This will involve defining a portfolio of innovative technologies to be developed jointly with external partners over the next few years.
• Generate an abatement cost curve to serve as a road map for short-, mid-, and long-term decarbonization efforts.

The abatement cost curve can help fabs identify all potential areas for GHG reduction, as well as associated implementation costs and savings. Fabs should first implement the levers that would result in a net cost reduction, and then move to those with net abatement costs that are close to zero and those that will be costly until regulations change or other advances make implementation less expensive. Exhibit 4 shows an example abatement cost curve for a typical fab.

As they embark on their net-zero programs, semiconductor companies will benefit from internal collaboration among staff from R&D, operations, supply chain, and other functions. Among other advantages, such efforts will help ensure that they implement key elements of the decarbonization program simultaneously. External engagement is also essential, since no single company can reach its GHG goals without partners, such as industry peers, suppliers, and customers.

Successfully reducing emissions to remain on the 1.5°C pathway will require both commitment and endurance. While short-term goals are important, semiconductor companies ultimately want to reduce their emissions by about 50 percent within ten years. Within fab operations, many processes or tools may need to be replaced by greener alternatives, some of which are still in the early stages of development. With global warming reaching a critical point, fabs should accelerate their current decarbonization plans and consider developing other green initiatives.

Ondrej Burkacky is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Munich office, where Mark Nikolka is a senior associate; Sebastian Göke is an associate partner in the Berlin office; Mark Patel is a senior partner in the Bay Area office; and Peter Spiller is a partner in the Frankfurt office.

This article was edited by Eileen Hannigan, a senior editor based in the Waltham, Massachusetts, office.

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