6.4.11

Energy Conservation

Test yourself

Ways of Conserving Energy

The sustainability of energy supply can be increased by conserving (using less) energy. Strategies for energy conservation include:

Illustrative background for Designing homes and officesIllustrative background for Designing homes and offices ?? "content

Designing homes and offices

  • Building new homes with proper insulation means that less heat is lost to the outside environment and less heating (less energy) needs to be used.
  • Adding solar panels or mini wind turbines to houses could provide them with a source of renewable energy.
  • SolarCity is a business owned by Tesla that tries to encourage each home to have its own energy supply and battery.
Illustrative background for Demand reductionIllustrative background for Demand reduction ?? "content

Demand reduction

  • Encouraging public transport and walking instead of driving reduces people's energy consumption.
  • Encouraging people to buy fewer goods, discouraging consumerism and encouraging the purchase of local produce with lower food miles would reduce energy consumption.
Illustrative background for Increasing efficiency of fossil fuel use with technologyIllustrative background for Increasing efficiency of fossil fuel use with technology ?? "content

Increasing efficiency of fossil fuel use with technology

  • Hybrid and electric vehicles produce 17-30% fewer emissions than petrol or diesel vehicles.
  • Autonomous vehicles could increase energy efficiency. Human drivers brake and accelerate aggressively. Autonomous vehicles could optimise for fuel efficiency. They are are also likely to save lives given that most car accidents are caused by human error.
  • The UK has banned businesses from selling any new petrol cars from 2035.
Illustrative background for Sustainable transportIllustrative background for Sustainable transport ?? "content

Sustainable transport

  • Public transport like the London Underground, public bus services, or carpooling reduce the number of individual cars on the road, lowering individuals' carbon footprints.
  • Electric cars are more environmentally-friendly than diesel or petrol cars because they produce 17-30% fewer emissions.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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