Energy efficiency programs in the United States could realistically reduce the rate of growth for electricity consumption by 22%, according to an analysis released last week by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
The potential energy savings in 2030 would be 236 billion kilowatt hours, an amount equivalent to 14 times the annual electricity consumption of New York City.
Stated differently, the demand for electricity over the next two decades could be reduced from the 1.07% annual growth rate projected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its 2008 Annual Energy Outlook down to 0.83%, slowing the rate of increase by approximately 22%.
The analysis comes at a time when utilities, regulators, and policymakers are aggressively seeking ways to meet growing electricity demand while reducing the nation’s carbon footprint. The key challenge is to maximize potential gains in energy efficiency while ensuring adequate new electric generation to maintain reliability and meet future demand.
The EPRI analysis entitled “Assessment of Achievable Savings Potential From Energy Efficiency and Demand Response in the U.S.” found that under an ideal set of conditions conducive to energy efficiency programs, the consumption growth rate could be further reduced to as low as 0.68% annually by 2030. However, achieving the ideal would require costly investments as well as political and regulatory support.
The EPRI report and its executive summary can be downloaded at the link below.
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