Global energy demand is expected to keep growing until 2040, according to the forecasts of the International Energy Agency. As such, improving energy efficiency will be a vital factor for the good of the planet in the future
Reducing dependency on oil, diversifying energy sources and meeting the specified goals in relation to greenhouse gas emissions are well-known objectives in the energy sector.
João Martins, an associate professor at the NOVA University of Lisbon School of Science and Technology, argues that “renewable sources are not a solution for everything”, and that “the major current challenge consists of reducing the consumption of energy”, above all through the efficient use of the same.
SMALL GESTURES
Portuguese citizens are increasingly aware of the measures that need to be taken to achieve better energy efficiency in our day-to-day, entailing small gestures such as turning off lights and devices when they´re not needed and purchasing more efficient equipment for their homes. But we need to more than that.
João Martins questions the consumption of energy in homes, arguing that this should change in accordance with the availability of energy from renewable sources in the grid
The university professor, who recently participated in the 1st Energy Forum, organised by the magazine Água & Ambiente, argues that peaks of consumption in homes need to be adapted to the availability of energy from renewable sources in the grid. Predicting that investment in the production of solar energy in Portugal will increase in the near future, he argues that peak consumption should be concentrated at the times of the day when this type of energy is available. “Washing machines equipped with smart systems and communication devices enabling them to be programmed in advance are already on the market”, he explains. Or in other words, the technology exists, but the high cost of such products prevents them from being sold on a mass scale. The same can be said for automobiles. “What´s the point of promoting the use of electric cars if the taxes are only reduced for companies?”, asks the professor, explaining that individuals are not entitled to these discounts. Meaning that there are no incentives whatsoever to massify the use of these vehicles.
STORAGE IS STILL EXPENSIVE
Returning to the issue of our homes, João Martins suggests there are other potential ways of improving energy efficiency: “Due to the fact the consumption of energy in most households is the opposite of the production of photovoltaic energy, storing it during the day for use at night is another potential solution to be considered with regard to consumption.” However, the technological development of batteries has hardly evolved and there are still no cheap ways of storing electric energy.
The future of energy efficiency in each of our homes will, therefore, involve the improved use of tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technology, to enable equipment to manage its own operations. But it will also involve the creation of energy communities, the recent legislation on which is undergoing public review. This would allow for the production and sale of energy to neighbours, which is not permitted under the law in force. “The National Energy and Geology Department has finally made a standpoint, and the new legislation could open new roads to a more sustainable future”, concludes João Martins.
