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The yawning gap, usually rendered in bright PowerPoint yellow, 
between the AB32 GHG reduction targets and the ability of
alternative energy technologies to fill them should really focus
the collective Californian mind towards the second of the Big Four
strategies, which promotes the launching of a very ambitious energy
efficiency program, hopefully one the likes of which we have not
seen before. 

Sadly, there is no mention within the report of the potentially
huge strategic impact that ground source heat pumps (and
community-level direct use networks) can have upon drastically
reducing natural gas demand, smoothing out peak electricity loads
and delivering clean, non-combustion-based heating, cooling and
hot water.

Solar PV and solar water heating enjoy very visible and
significant state incentive and rebate programs such as the three
billion Million Solar Roofs Initiative and the more modest $25
million Solar Thermal market build. Unfortunately, relatively
little attention has been given to energy efficiency measures
overall and much less still to GSHP technologies, which really
need be included in similar state incentive programs. 

It is often said that the most efficient power plant is the one
you do not have to build. Serious consideration should to be given
to the massive amount of Negawatts and Negatherms that can be
created from greater adoption of GSHP, a supreme energy efficiency
technology considered by both the EPA and the DOE the most
effective way to heat and cool buildings.

As the infamous Art Rosenfeld slide comparing the power and
economic output of the gargantuan 3 Gorges Dam project to the
potential power and money saved by Energy Star-level refrigerators
and air conditioners attests, energy efficiency can yield a mighty
impact if only let loose.

Original File Name: 3 Gorges vs. Energy Efficency.jpg

Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-08-01 15:27:14