Role of Energy Conservation and Management in the 4D Sustainable Energy Transition

Abstract

In the twenty first century, the world is witnessing an unprecedented energy transition. This sustainability-driven transition, also termed the sustainable energy transition or low carbon transition, has four major dimensions: decarbonisation, decreased use, decentralisation, and digitalisation. Decarbonisation and decreased use of energy are already well established dimensions of the sustainable energy transition. Decreased use of energy through energy conservation and management (ECM) offers wide ranging benefits across all energy consuming sectors, i.e., buildings, industry, and transportation. The building sector, accounting for almost 40% of the world’s total energy consumption, is particularly conducive to ECM. Estimates suggest that with the reliable and commercially available solutions, energy demand in both new and existing buildings can be reduced by 30 to 80%.