A note on electric waste

Let’s look at that energy flow chart again.

One thing I didn’t point out was the amount of energy wasted in the production of electricity: about two-thirds.  In 2000, 29.1 quadrillion British Thermal Units (quads) of electricity were wasted just in the process of their creation, while 12.3 quads moved to the electric grid, eventually powering lights, appliances, electronics, etc.  Just think: two-thirds never have a chance!  That’s bad news because most of that wasted energy is from dirty sources, like coal and, in New York, petroleum.

But here’s the silver lining: for every unit of electricity we can save on our end we will automatically save two units of wasted electricity on the power plant end.  And by extension, we’ll save coal or oil.

That’s the opportunity.