Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is “using less energy to provide the same service” (http://eetd.lbl.gov/ee/), for example replacing conventional incandescent light bulbs more energy efficient ones (such as fluorescent lights). An energy efficient building provides the required internal environment and services with minimum energy use in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner (CIBSE, 2004).

Oyedepo (2012), in his work titled; “Energy and sustainable development in Nigeria: the way forward, states that energy efficiency is a component that will help achieve sustainable development in Nigeria.

The need to conserve the present energy generated in the country using energy-efficient products and the appropriate practices is essential for a sustainable development. He also stated the following as recommendations for the achievement of the said development;

1. Promotion of energy – efficient products and appropriate practices at the side of the end users and energy generation.
2. Creating awareness on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
3. Establishment of agencies to promote the use of energy efficient products and ensure the appropriate practices
4. Development and utilization of energy efficiency technologies. Etc.

Worrell et al (2008), wrote on energy efficiency, they proposed that Full use of available mitigation options is not being made in either industrialized or developing nations due to a number of barriers like limited access to capital, lack of management attention, insufficient availability of knowledge, or qualified service providers.

Batagwara (2012) in her study based on mixed mode housing in Abuja, titled; Benefit of Conducting Energy Calculations in The Built Environment of Nigeria, stated that Only 40% of the Nigerian population has access to the central electricity utility, during the periods with central electricity supply, building users waste electricity through the use of inefficient electrical equipment, poor HVAC systems, inappropriate building design and construction, poor occupant behaviour etc. It is evident that rational use of energy is required to reduce dependence on a failing utility supply to reduce rising energy cost and Torcellini and Crawley (2006), as cited by Batagwara, (2012), stated that Energy savings of 22%-67% is possible with little or no capital cost in buildings with the use of building energy calculation tools.

In a research by Uyigue, et al (2009), titled, Energy Efficiency Survey in Nigeria stated how efficient use of generated energy is the way forward. he went on to state that experts have asserted that Nigeria can save up to half of the energy currently consumed in the country if energy is efficiently utilized. The major challenge he said has been that energy policy in Nigeria has undermined the importance and gains of energy efficiency to the environment and economic growth. In the midst of the prevailing energy crisis in Nigeria, energy efficiency will play a pivotal role in ensuring access to energy. Efficiency is not just cheaper than all other options; it can also lead to growth in jobs and personal income.

Energy efficiency does not mean that we should not use energy, but that we should use energy in a manner that minimizes the amount of energy needed to provide services. This is possible if we improve in our practices and the products that we use. If energy efficient appliances are used, it will help to reduce the energy required to provide certain services like lighting, heating, cooling, cooking, transport, entertainment etc.

Thus, energy efficient products basically help to do more work with less energy. For instance, lighting a room with an incandescent light bulb of 60W for one hour requires 60Wh, A compact fluorescent light bulb would provide similar or even better lighting at 11W and only use 11 W/h. This means that 49 W (82% of the energy which would have been used) is saved for every hour the light is turned on (Uyigue, et al, 2009).