Sustainable Systems: Analyzing Energy Efficiency in Australian Homes

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of energy efficiency within an Australian household, examining current energy consumption, carbon emissions, and potential improvements. It includes a literature review on energy use and carbon emission trends in Australia, highlighting the country's dependence on coal and the growing adoption of renewable energy sources. The report discusses various initiatives and organizations promoting energy efficiency, such as the Kyoto Protocol, Doha Amendment, and Paris Agreement. It analyzes a specific household's energy usage, identifying inefficiencies in cooking, water heating, and lighting. The report proposes alternatives like electric vehicles, solar water heaters, and LED lighting to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs. A cost-benefit analysis is suggested to evaluate the economic viability of these changes. The report concludes that improving energy efficiency is crucial for environmental sustainability and economic savings, emphasizing the importance of individual actions and government policies.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Table of Contents
Summary..........................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Literature Review on status of Energy use and carbon emission in Australia.............................4
Promotion of Energy Efficiency..................................................................................................6
Analysis of Household ................................................................................................................7
Possible Alternatives....................................................................................................................8
Cost benefit Analysis...................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Summary
It is very important to improve energy efficiency. For a house hold level it plays very small role
but when it is seen on a bigger picture, their part also plays vital role in it. When energy is used
more efficiently, it is one of the most cost effective way to save money and reduce the green
house gases and carbon footprints. Also, it supports in meeting the growing demands of energy.
Most importantly it is beneficial for the environment, also improving efficiency can cut down the
individual utility bills and helps in stabilizing the electricity prices. Government is very
concerned about the environmental changes and for minimizing and mitigating the hazardous
changes they have applied some policies such as Kyoto protocol, Doha amendment and Paris
agreement. There are many organizations that are helping the homeowners to improve the energy
efficiencies in their homes. It is proving to be an effective strategy for government to reduce the
energy demands, help households to save money and improve comfort and reduce carbon
emissions. For improving the energy efficiencies the households takes an inspection of energy
flow in their homes and try to find out about the equipments and other causes that are affecting
the system negatively. In this energy audit the homeowners determine several ways to reduce the
energy consumption per unit of energy output to minimize the prices. By changing lights and
other appliances, by using renewable sources like photovoltaic panels and by using other energy
efficient technologies like fuel cells, homeowners can improve the energy efficiency.

INTRODUCTION
Energy efficiency covers wide range in which it includes energy savings, energy consumption,
energy sufficiency and energy conversion. In simple words, for household it can be described as
using lesser energy to execute the same tasks. A good energy efficiency is important as it
supports in lowering the greenhouse gas emissions and lowering the carbon dioxide emissions
(da Cunha and de Aguiar, 2020). Energy audit is performed to improve the energy efficiency. An
energy audit is an analysis and survey of energy flows within the area, household or a building.
Now a days energy has become a key factor in deciding the cost at all the levels. Energy cost is a
major factor in economic factor in economic activities. The energy audit provides important
informations for overall energy conservation program that mainly covers quality and cost of
various energy inputs also highlights wastages in major areas. This report is mainly focusing on
energy audit of a household, in which it includes their current consumption of energy also the
wastages reduction methods are discussed in the report.
Literature Review on status of Energy use and carbon emission in Australia
Status of Energy consumption and carbon emission in Australia
As per the views of Li and et.al. (2020) Australia is highly dependent on energy and their energy
is low cost by world standards. They are mainly dependent on coal for electricity about 60% of
electricity production is derived from coal. Energy generation from natural gas is increasing.
However Lu and Lai, (2019) contradict this statement this is changing now and after many years
of low investment they are working on building more dispatch-able generating capacity. Energy
consumption is growing at nearly double rate of overall energy use. This growth has been
increasing over the last decade also the prices are rising. In 2017 PV rooftop installations have
reduced the grid supply by 3.1%.
According to Granwal (2021) during the year 2020, the energy consumption derived from oil
was 1.8 exajoules in Australia. And the primary energy consumption from hydro electric plants
was about 0.13 exajoules in the same year.

Source: Primary energy consumption Australia 2020, 2021.
Wang and et.al. (2019) surveyed the data and explained that the per capita energy consumption
of energy in Australia was 5483.83kg of oil equivalent in year 2015. Also the average per capita
electricity consumption by Australian household is approximately 18KW per day or 6560 KW
per hour. In 2019 per capita carbon emission for Australia was 17.27 tons. It keeps fluctuating
from past few years. According to the survey United states, Australia and Canada have highest
carbon emissions per capita. Also the authors explained that the energy consumption by Europe
in year 2019 was amounted to 935Mtoe and by Australia it is 6,196peta joules. Carbon emission
is the primary driver of global climate and Canada has highest carbon emission. In Australia
energy consumption rose by 0.6% in the year 2018- 2019. Coal, oil and gas is 94 % of
Australia’s primary energy mix in 2018-2019. China is the consuming more energy in the world,
using 145.46 exajoules in 2020. United States is also consuming more energy but it is on second
position. Climate change is caused by increase in concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in
atmosphere. In Canada, these increases are primarily due to human activities such as the use of
fossil fuels of agriculture.
Illustration 1: status of energy consumption by Australia in year 2020

Future Outlook of Australia in terms of Energy Sources
Kabir and et.al. (2018) stated that Australia is forecasting to increase their renewable energy
generation from 15% of current electricity to 34% by the year 2030. Also there is a planning to
include large scale hydro, wind, photovoltaic panels and biomass energy. Australia has started to
opt for new opportunities and stated generating from hydrogen. Also country is focusing on
cementing their position as world leader in renewable. Approximately 6.3 gigawatts was derived
from renewable sources and this number will increase in upcoming years. Kabir and et.al. (2018)
explained that roof top PV are increasing with the rate of 50% every year and there are higher
chances for Australia to reach 50% of energy from renewable sources by year 2024.
Doha Amendment to Kyoto protocol, to Paris Agreement
Current climate changes are caused by the burning of coal, oil and natural gases. These activities
release green house gases in the environment. Also different industrial processes release harmful
gases. The increase in atmospheric changes is caused by the release of green house gases. The
changes are leading in temperature increase, leading to variations in rainfall, variations in
seasons and intensity and frequency of some critical weather events. According to Power (2017)
Australia is already experiencing such changes. The Kyoto protocol is developed in attempt to
decrease and mitigate future climate changes. The protocol encourages countries like Australia,
European nations, USA, New Zealand, Japan and Russia to reduce their green house gas
emissions. Australia had positive emission targets under the Kyoto protocol.
As per the views of McCrary (2017) The Doha Amendment is adding new emission reduction
targets for the country. The climate change authority has also found that the conditions move up
from a 5% emission reduction targets have been met. It is required to ratify the Doha
Amendment. Also McCrary (2017) explain that Paris agreement details emission reduction
targets for 197 countries from the year 2020. many nations still need to ratify the Paris
Agreement and processing on implementation of the agreement. It is focusing on developing
long term climate goals. The climate solution package by Australia is $3.5billion investment to
deliver on 2030's Paris Agreement commitments. Authors also determined that this package
support a range of new energy efficiency measure for homes, businesses and community
organizations. Also with the Paris agreement partnership Australian business is focusing on
cutting the amount of greenhouse gases.

The world resource institute estimates that Australia is responsible for 1.1% of carbon dioxide
emissions and fossil fuel emission is 1.10% this is three times higher than the global average.
Australia is consuming about 40% of energy from coal, 34% from oil, 22% from gas 5% from
hydro and 2% from wind.
Promotion of Energy Efficiency
There are many organizations in Australia that are working on promoting the energy efficiency.
Organizations are Australian Geothermal Association, Bioenergy Australia, Biofuels association
Australia, bureau of resources and energy council, clean energy council, energy efficiency
council, Industry capability network and Smart energy council (Lu and et.al., 2021).
Organizations support energy efficiency as cost-effective energy resources under existing
marketing conditions. Australian bioenergy organizations working on promoting the energy
efficiency advocates energy efficiency policies that minimizes cost to individual customers and
lessens the greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on global climate. Australian bioenergy
organizations support the household, business and industries to improve their energy efficiency
by auditing the energy consumption also they suggest them to use better equipments and other
useful techniques.
In Victoria, there is a energy upgrade program supports the households and businesses to save
energy and money with special offers on selected energy saving products. For the households
government offers rebates for solar panels, batteries and hot water. To increase the energy
efficiency, it also impacts the home ratings (Lee and Shepley, 2020). The households also
participate in emission of greenhouse gases and carbon footprints. By using renewable resources
like solar energy the household of 4 members can also play a big role in lowering greenhouse
gases and improving the energy efficiency.
With the installation of rooftop solar PV systems, solar thermal hot water systems, improve
house design in such a way that lets in winter sun and block summer sun.
The another way of improving energy efficiency, the house member can use energy efficient
lighting. Incandescent light bulbs can be replaced by fluorescent bulbs. Even better option of
lighting can be LED light bulbs and fixtures.

Analysis of Household
The household apparatus and equipments that are causing higher cost, high carbon emission also
causing poor efficiencies are analysed and from the analysis it is determined that the homeowner
is cooking using LPG gas for cooking and heating of water. This is causing higher carbon
emission and energy lose. Also the car is operating on petrol, which is major cause of emission
of carbon also it is causing lose of money as it is runs 55km per weak and consumes about 1L
petrol on every 10km. The homeowner is using incandescent bulbs for the lighting of the house.
This is causing higher consumption of energy and higher costs.
Possible Alternatives
Using LPG gas for cooking is a big factor that is causing higher cost. By using different energy
efficient technologies such as fuel cells, electric cook the household can minimize their energy
costs. Induction cooking is most energy efficient way to cook.
Car is operating on petrol, they can use electric vehicles. Electric vehicle are 85% efficient and
petrol vehicles provide about 12% efficiency. Atypical vehicle operating on petrol emits about 4
metric tons of carbon dioxide. By using electric vehicles, the impact of green house gases and
carbon foot prints can be minimized.
For hot water the house hold is using LPG they can use solar water heaters. Also the household
can use tank less water heaters. Water heating from gas typically have energy factor of about 0.5
to 0.7 whereas electric water heaters have energy factor more than 0.9. most of the energy loss
occurs during the venting process, which does not exist in tank less, solar and electric water
heaters. Also emission of carbon dioxide is very less.
The fluorescent bulbs or tubes must be used instead of incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lamps
does not produce as much heat as it is produced in incandescent lamps. They produce about 75%
less heat in comparison with the traditional lamps. While using these lamps results in energy
saving and also helps to keep the room temperature cooler. Also LED bulbs can also be used
instead of incandescent lamps, these also provide lower heats and improved energy efficiency in
comparison with the traditional bulbs.
By improving the insulation of the house the energy efficiency can be improved. Insulations
block heats from entering in the house in the summer and holds heat during the time of winters.

This results in cooler house in summers and warm in winters. There are different types of
insulations that can be used by the houseowner. Te alternative insulators that the landlord can opt
are cellulose insulation and fibreglass insulations. Also installation of solar over rooftop will help
them in reducing their energy cost.
Cost benefit analysis
Benefits Cost for electric vehicle
Purchase of vehicle -$10,000
Utilities $300
Insurance $180
Quality increased revenue $200
New operator -$350
Benefits Cost for petrol vehicle
Purchase of vehicle $15000
Utilities $350
Insurance $200
Quality increased revenue $300
New operator $400
From the above cost benefit analysis, it can be determine that electric vehicle is more efficient
then petrol vehicle because cost required for electric vehicle is less. Purchasing a petrol vehicle
cost $15000 and its utilities cost is $350 whereas cost of electric vehicle is - $10000. Electric
vehicle consumes less energy as compare to petrol vehicle. So, electric vehicle should be used
more so that energy consumption can be saved.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the report that by using appropriate equipments and technologies any
household can play their role in minimizing the carbon footprints and energy savings. Also by
opting for renewable options such as solar and installing it on the rooftop household can play
their part in providing the environmental benefits. This will also help them it improving the

energy efficiency and also they will get cost benefits. This will reduce the per capita
consumption of energy. Also by choosing electrical vesical over petrol vehicles they can support
country by reducing the per capita carbon dioxide emission. Also it is concluded from the report
that it is essential to perform an analysis of energy audit that support the house holds by reducing
their energy cost on wide economical levels. Also supports country in performing the same task
while using less energy. Cost benefit analysis was also performed that aims to improve the
diverse impacts that are affecting the natural environment. Contingent ranking method was used,
it most widely used method in environmental economics. This will result in lower the amount of
electricity and energy consumptions. Also the carbon dioxide and green house gases emission
will be reduced with improved energy efficiency measures.
From the above discussion it can be concluded that, LPG gas is a big factor which cause cost
higher. Electric vehicle are 85 % efficient petrol vehicle is 12% efficient. So, electric vehicle
should be used so that carbon foot prints can be minimised. Another example is water heating
form gas is about 0.5 whereas from heaters energy factor is more than 0.9. fluorescent bulbs does
not produce much heat. LED bulbs can be used because they consume less energy. From the cost
benefit analysis, it can be concluded that, cost of electric vehicle is low as compare to petrol
vehicle. Cost of purchase vehicle is $10000 whereas cost of petrol vehicle is $15000. Electric
vehicle is more efficient as compare to petrol vehicle because electric vehicle does not consume
much energy or fuel. Price of utilities is $300 of electric vehicle whereas $350 for petrol vehicle.
So, it can be concluded that electric vehicle is beneficial and more efficient as compare to petrol
vehicle.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
da Cunha, S.R.L. and de Aguiar, J.L.B., 2020. Phase change materials and energy efficiency of
buildings: A review of knowledge. Journal of Energy Storage. 27. p.101083.
Kabir, E. and et.al., 2018. Solar energy: Potential and future prospects. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews. 82. pp.894-900.
Lee, J. and Shepley, M.M., 2020. Benefits of solar photovoltaic systems for low-income families
in social housing of Korea: Renewable energy applications as solutions to energy
poverty. Journal of Building Engineering. 28. p.101016.
Li, H.X. and et.al., 2020. A review on renewable energy transition in Australia: An updated
depiction. Journal of Cleaner Production. 242. p.118475.
Lu, B. and et.al., 2021. A zero-carbon, reliable and affordable energy future in
Australia. Energy. 220. p.119678.
Lu, M. and Lai, J.H., 2019. Building energy: a review on consumptions, policies, rating schemes
and standards. Energy Procedia. 158. pp.3633-3638.
McCrary, P.D., 2017. From a Commitment in Doha to an Emissions Pledge in Paris. In Climate
Change Literacy and Education Social Justice, Energy, Economics, and the Paris
Agreement Volume 2 (pp. 49-62). American Chemical Society.
Power, S., 2017. Paris climate agreement: a quick guide. Parliamentary Library Information.
Wang, Q. and et.al., 2019. The effects of energy prices, urbanization and economic growth on
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Wurm, F.R. and et.al., 2020. Plastics and the Environment—Current Status and Challenges in
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Online references
Primary energy consumption Australia 2020, 2021. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.statista.com/statistics/667522/australia-primary-energy-consumption-by-
fuel/>. [Accessed on 16th September 2021].