Summit on Energy Efficiency (Audio)

A highlight of this year’s Energy Summit was the Town-Hall Meeting where audience members engaged in a dialogue with energy experts Randy Komisar, Arun Majumdar and Michael McQuade who touched mainly on consumer behavior, energy investment strategies, future energy outlook, and broadly on social responsibility of energy efficiency. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 17379]

Selling energy efficiency is difficult since it is something that does not physically exist and cannot completely be measured. Sunpower’s Richard Swanson explores how energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems balance each other out by reducing demand for electricity, while at the same time providing the energy that is needed and sustainable. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 17554]

Carbon productivity has to be increased to maintain our lifestyle. Nick Hodson, Principal, McKinsey and Company, argues that energy efficiency can significantly grow GDP by making the economy more efficient. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 17377]

Renewable energy. In one hour we get enough sunlight on the earth to power the planet for a year. The molecular design of new materials for efficient harvesting of photons from the sun is promising. But storing that energy requires the next generation of batteries: sustainable, safe, and high-energy. Alan Heeger, Lon Bell and Jean-Marie Tarason explore new ways to meet our energy needs. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Show ID: 17378]

Buildings in the US cause 48% of carbon emissions and consumed 71% of US electricity. To use less energy per capita several strategies are discussed including a smart grid that could give customers options by letting them choose energy control options not currently available. Igor Mezic, Jack Sahl and Jeffrey Reed explore smart design for buildings. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Show ID: 17376]

Using hybrid silicon devises, optical fiber, modulators, and hybrid lasers, a fast, low energy Internet is being created. John Bowers, Rod Tucker and Garry Epps explore the creation of a green Internet and the work being done to create energy efficiency. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Show ID: 17375]

There is more momentum behind energy efficiency then there has been in three decades. California specifically is running the largest and most effective energy efficiency program in the world. Dian Grueneich, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission, argues that energy efficiency is the number one tool for addressing global warming. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 17374]

Computing is the fastest growing part of carbon consumption. Experts explore how to increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of computing, data centers and servers. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Show ID: 17373]

Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies last 100 times as long as incandescent, have no glass or filaments, use 90% less energy, are non-toxic, and convert significantly less energy to heat. Explore the uses, problems and future of LED sources with Steven DenBaars, Michale Krames. Bruce Pelton and Jim Sanfilippo. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 17371]

IT contributes about 2% of the energy usage in the United States. Justin Rattner, Vice President and CTO of Intel, explores this small, but rapidly growing, part of US energy use and opportunities for energy savings. Series: "Institute for Energy Efficiency" [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 17372]