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A Sustainable Path for Energy Production and Use
Energy Efficiency
Today the U.S. harnesses twice the economic output from each barrel of oil as it did in 1975. The technology exists to repeat that doubling in efficiency again, resulting in a tremendous global impact; it is estimated (Tracking Climate Change in the US, American Solar Energy Society, 2007) that nearly 60% of carbon emission reductions achievable between now and 2030 will accrue from efficiency efforts.
Two areas where CES research may have a large impact is on the generation of electricity and the development of high-efficiency vehicle technology. Over 44% of the energy we consume is the in the form of electricity. However, the nationwide efficiency of production, transmission and distribution of electricity is only 32%, which means that for every unit of energy we use as electricity, two additional units are wasted as unusable low-grade heat. CES researchers are working to reduce these losses by increasing the efficiency of electricity generation and transmission. Automobiles produce 20% of US CO2 emissions. Increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard from the 27.5 mpg (the current target) to 33 mpg would reduce US CO2 emissions by 4%. CES research on batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and hydrogen storage techniques can help achieve these goals. One-third of CO2 production in the US is for industrial processes. CES research in Chemistry and Engineering can help to reduce these CO emissions.
Efficiency Research at CSU
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