Memorandum by the Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a leading international
professional body and learned society, with over 37,000 members,
which promotes the advancement and dissemination of a knowledge
of and education in the science of physics, pure and applied.
The Institute welcomes the opportunity to submit
evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Sub-Committee
II's Inquiry into Energy Efficiency.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The Institute wholeheartedly agrees with the
Energy White Paper, Our energy future—creating a low
carbon economy, that energy efficiency could play a major
role in lowering carbon dioxide emissions, if the problem of waste
in energy usage could be tackled with changes in the style and
use of energy. Reducing energy demand by increasing energy efficiency
may in the short-term appear to be a more viable option than the
implementation of low carbon energy sources. There is a need for
a step change in the manner in which we create and use energy
and materials, in order to limit further catastrophic effects
on the environment. However, it must be understood that such changes
in energy usage will require a significant cultural change.
The Energy White Paper placed an emphasis on
the implementation of a low energy culture, not just in the public
and private sector, but also on households. With the public and
private sector, regulation such as the EU emissions trading scheme,
will be the main driver. But with households, it will be through
public understanding, coupled with incentives and taxes. A low
energy culture could be brought about by:
— Home improvements, including improved
insulation.
— The usage of energy saving electrical
appliances, including better insulated refrigerators.
— The usage of more efficient lighting.
— The usage of more efficient vehicles,
such as hybrid vehicles, and a greater emphasis on the use of
public transport, especially for local trips.
— The introduction of a general carbon
tax, based on the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted per unit
of energy supplied.
— The introduction of taxes (where
there is a choice for the public) and subsidies (where there is
not). Higher taxes, eg to discourage the usage of gas-guzzling
4x4 vehicles, and short-haul flights, and subsidies, eg for the
substitution of light-emitting diodes for light bulbs, and for
video conferencing technology to limit unnecessary short-haul
flights.
The problem with most of the measures listed
is that they require a large capital cost, although the returns
over a lifetime are better. People tend to buy on capital rather
than lifetime costs, thus, the Government needs to promote a change
in thinking, coupled with changes in technology. In addition,
the role of information technology needs to be developed further
in energy efficiency, as it has an important role to play as a
control method for the better use of energy. It must be noted,
that measures towards reducing energy demand and promoting efficiency
must recognise the particular needs of vulnerable citizens, such
as, the poor and the elderly.
CARBON TAX
It has been suggested that a reduction in the
use, and particularly wastage of energy could be brought about
by the implementation of a general carbon tax. The carbon tax
would be based on the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted per unit
of energy supplied, and would be levied at source as a direct
charge on the amount of carbon emitted per unit of energy supplied.
This would result in higher prices to the consumer and a greater
variety of supply (ie natural gas, renewables or fission), but
would stimulate efficiency improvements and reduce consumption.
The revenue from the carbon tax would be used to fund R&D
into low carbon energy sources and into measures for mitigating
the effects of climate change. If a carbon tax was to be introduced
in the foreseeable future, it would need to be well formulated
and based on good scientific grounds.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
AND SECURITY
Energy efficiency combined with diversity represents
a key issue for energy security. Some in the energy policy area
call this "optionality". The essential point is that
an efficient user dependent upon a single utility suffers as much
as an inefficient user if the utility removes the supply. What
the user seeking security actually needs is another option of
supply that may be drawn upon in times of need. In the short term,
efficiency of use will lead to greater capacity in the system
and a decreased likelihood of a blackout. This will represent
a short-term improvement in security. In the long term, however,
suppliers would reduce capacity to meet demand and without oversight
and regulation the short-term security benefit would be lost.
If the electricity supply were to be stratified
according to "quality" (reliability) then there would
be certain benefits for security of supply. Users who do not require
high quality electricity would not be drawing upon the system
in times of short-term supply difficulties as they do at present.
Users who require very high quality electricity (such as silicon
chip manufacturers or metal smelting operations) or reliable electricity
(vulnerable old people with electric heating) could then be guaranteed
the supplies they require. The key issue is how to achieve appropriate
differential prices for quality differentiated electricity while
protecting vulnerable consumers by proper regulation.
COMBINED HEAT
AND POWER
Combined heat and power (CHP) needs to play
a more significant role in terms of increasing domestic and industrial
energy efficiency, as CHP systems allow the on-site generation
of energy, by converting low cost fuel (ie natural gas) into electricity,
which is an efficient method of electricity generation. In addition,
sophisticated heat recovery systems within the CHP collect the
heat generated, which can be also used on site. CHP to date has
been deployed in hospitals, high rise flats, hotels, sports centres
etc, but further R&D is required to further improve efficiency,
and the creation of an infrastructure necessary for distributing
low-grade heat needs to be considered.
STORAGE OF
ELECTRICITY
One point that needs to be taken into consideration
when discussing energy efficiency is the difficulty of storing
electrical energy. On the large scale we have pumped storage schemes,
such as the Dinorwig Power Station in North Wales; on the small
scale we have batteries, which are heavy and expensive. The issue
of storage is relevant in two areas: first, transport, for example
electric motor cars, and second renewable energy sources, such
as wind generation and solar power. Societies will expect electricity
to be available at all times, irrespective of the weather. A major
breakthrough in energy storage would help alleviate the problems
associated with the storage of electrical energy. To enable this,
greater R&D in battery related technology is needed.
THE ROLE
OF PHYSICS
Science and technology itself can be a major
driver for change. For instance, developments in information technology,
providing e-commerce and communications infrastructures, can alleviate
pressures arising from the transport of people, documents and
products. The invention of the jet engine transformed intercontinental
travel; technological developments in clean vehicle technologies
could transform the quality of life in our cities.
Physics provides energy efficiency solutions
for the transport, building and construction industries to lower
their carbon outputs, all of which are major carbon dioxide emitters.
In particular, physics is playing a pivotal role in improving
domestic insulation, the development of super-conducting power
transmission cables for high current applications, the understanding
of energy flows in structures, and the incorporation of renewable
technologies into building design.
Environmental concerns have been driving the
search for more energy-efficient lighting for offices and factories,
which in the United States alone, consume a massive 15 per cent
of electricity. Physicists are teaming up with lighting companies
to find new lamps that emit more light and give off less heat.
Light-emitting diodes could lead to electricity savings equivalent
to the output of 25 power stations in the US alone if their many
technological hurdles can be overcome. Physicists have also been
active in discovering a phosphor material that emits almost twice
as many photons as it absorbs, which may lead to a new generation
of highly efficient fluorescent lights and plasma displays that
are also environmentally safe.
SUPPLY OF
SCIENTISTS
Without a good supply of highly skilled and
trained science graduates, especially physicists, being nurtured
and supported, the UK could end up in the position of either having
to import the skills needed to help create the much coveted low
carbon society, or risk being left behind as its main competitor
nations press ahead with the advancement of low carbon technologies.
For instance, the UK has a world leading scientific community
in the field of climatic and environmental modelling, which is
predominately peopled with physicists, who can play a crucial
role in influencing the international scientific community and
through them, global behaviour. With the recent number of low
entries to A-level physics and undergraduate physics degrees,
coupled with university physics department closures, there is
a genuine concern that the UK's ability to provide the number
and quality of physicists needed to help deal with the low carbon
challenges that lie ahead, will be adversely affected.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
A key component in any policy that needs public
support or attempts to influence human behaviour is the need to
enhance the public's understanding of science and technology.
Individuals must be able to understand in a broader sense what
terms like "global warming" mean and also comprehend
the issues relating to matters such as energy efficiency. Only
with such understanding are they likely to change their actions
and behaviour in respect to the environment and climate, both
directly and indirectly. It is essential that education and information
in this area is provided in a co-ordinated way, spanning primary
education through to the adult population. It is vital to include
those involved in legislation in order to ensure that decisions
are based on a proper understanding of the issues.
25 October 2004
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