Energy Efficiency – Conservation & Metering

Energy waste has always been a problem. And no matter what energy form is used or where it comes from – waste will always be a problem – unless it is curtailed.

We have seen how recovered waste heat from electricity generation can be used to improve the overall efficiency of the plants. But that only points out how easy it is to involve waste in the use of energy.

Every day on television one can see advertising for home insulation, “Energy Star” rated heating and boiler equipment and most recently, automobiles with greatly increased miles per gallon ratings. All of this to reduce waste.

Landlords, both commercial and residential found out long ago that including electricity as a service included in the rental for the tenant’s space fostered waste. As soon as meters were installed and charges rendered for the electricity consumption decreased by 35% and more. The price signal was necessary to prevent waste.

During the 1960’s Lorson Consulting was used in developing the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65. Because Con Edison, New York’s electric utility, had lost so much money at the earlier fair of 1939-40, it announced that exhibitors would have to run lines to the Astoria Plant to obtain power for the Fair. (Miles away from the fairgrounds)

As a result 90% of the air conditioning at the Fair was powered by natural gas. In fact the American Gas Association exhibit building was powered, lit and air conditioned using natural gas. Here again the waste heat from generating electricity was used to create steam which in turn made hot water for cooking and heating and chilled water for air cooling. The power plant was nicknamed the “Total Energy Plant.”

But even using the waste heat, or most of it, 15-20% still went out the chimney.
At the advance tour of the AGA Exhibit building we were pleased to meet Walt Disney who was fascinated with the building design and all its features. Even he, however, raised the issue of waste and our discussions ultimately turned to the alternative of water power as a wasteless source of electricity.

And water power in more current language is the one truly green energy source.

To be continued....