Energy Efficiency Portfolio: Carbon Reduction and Energy Prices

This portfolio explores the critical role of energy efficiency in reducing carbon emissions within the transportation sector, addressing its social, economic, and environmental impacts amidst rising energy prices. It highlights the significant contribution of transport to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for energy-efficient methods like biofuels, improved engine efficiency, and weight reduction in vehicles. A case study illustrates the effectiveness of initiatives like efficient tire promotion in reducing fuel consumption. The portfolio further discusses the positive economic impacts, such as reduced transportation costs, and social benefits like reduced traffic congestion and job creation. Environmentally, it emphasizes the reduction of harmful gas emissions and the potential for carbon neutrality. Recommendations for improvement include promoting walking for short distances, carpooling, designing energy-efficient vehicles, and adhering to emission standards, all contributing to a sustainable future. Desklib provides students access to resources like this portfolio to aid in their studies.

PORTFOLIO 4
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPORTANCE IN CARBON
REDUCTION AND INCREASING ENERGY PRICES

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reduction
Table of Contents
Topic Introduction..............................................................................................................3
Discussion..........................................................................................................................3
Case Study........................................................................................................................4
Positive Economic impact..................................................................................................4
Positive Social impact........................................................................................................4
Positive Environmental impact..........................................................................................5
Recommendations for improvement..................................................................................5
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................5
Reference List....................................................................................................................6
Page 2 of 6

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reduction
Topic Introduction
Energy efficiency of transport
Transport accounts for about most of the greenhouse emissions and is a major cause of air pollution. The
presence of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide in the gases emitted by the engines of vehicles is
known to cause lung related diseases in humans. There have also been other serious consequences of
transport emissions like breathlessness, asthma etc. It has also been observed that emissions from
transport are the reason for climate change. Global warming, melting of glaciers in Antarctica, depletion of
the ozone layer, and increased instances of smog are all due to transport pollution. Therefore, there is an
urgent need for the use of energy efficient methods in the transportation sector. The energy efficient
methods like use of bicycles instead of motorcycles and use of carpools instead of individual car transport
are common methods for energy efficiency, which have been stated in almost all climate and ecological
conferences around the world.
Discussion
The transport related emissions are needed to be reduced effectively in order to improve the overall
impact on the environment and society as a whole. The energy efficient methods of transport like using
biofuels like ethanol instead of petroleum or diesel can go a long way in reducing impact of the emissions
on nature. Transport sector is known to emit the highest percentage of emissions as stated by the
International energy agency, and by the year 2030, the emissions might affect a major part of the
environment. Improving efficiency in engines like spark ignition engine and diesel or combustion-based
engine can help in reducing energy consumption in transport. Propulsion systems as well as vehicular
transport weight reduction can reduce the energy consumption largely.
According to IEA or the International Energy Area, the reduction of fuel consumption is a significant step
in achieving energy efficiency standards in the automobile industry. According to this same body, the
reduction in fuel consumption of a vehicle depends up to twenty percent of the rolling resistance of the
tires. Therefore, it is needed that tires are regularly checked and replaced in order to ensure that the
rolling resistance remains intact. Reduction in fuel consumption ensures reduction in carbon emissions,
which in turn helps in sustaining the environment (Mathiesen et al., 2015).
Page 3 of 6

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reduction
Case Study
Figure 1: Modes of transport having most energy consumption
(Source: Brand, Anable and Morton, 2019).
In the end of the year 2008, the Japanese government set up a committee, which spoke about the
promotion of efficient tires to reduce fuel consumption in vehicular transport. The committee published a
report, which gave suggestions about measures to test tire-rolling resistance and brought out a labeling
scheme for tires by next year in July 2009. The tire rolling resistance procedure was used in passenger
cars and it was immensely effective in reducing fuel consumption. In another instance, Thailand has also
replaced diesel as a major road transport fuel. Instead of diesel, ethanol has been suggested to use in
road transport vehicles because of its low combustion capability (Mathiesen et al., 2015).
Positive Economic impact
The economic impacts of using energy efficient transportation are as follows:
 Reduced cost of transportation. For example- if one uses public transport instead of their own car
or vehicle, then they would not have to undertake repairing and maintenance costs for the car.
 Vehicles using energy efficient fuels can protect their equipments from being damaged, which
might cause higher costs of repairing.
 Energy efficient methods in transport helps in reducing the energy consumption and costs related
to water transport maintenance is also reduced.
Positive Social impact
The social impacts of energy efficient methods of transportation are as follows:
 Traffic congestion in roads can be reduced if energy efficient methods are applied. Less traffic
congestion means fewer emissions of gases and time and money is saved.
 Using energy efficient modes of transport can help in creating employment opportunities. For
example- people can be trained in driving electric or battery controlled vehicles, which would help
to create jobs as well as protect the environment.
Page 4 of 6

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reduction
 Using energy efficient methods in the transport sector would help bridge the gap between the rich
and the poor. Everyone could use energy efficient transport thereby contributing positively to the
environment.
 Carbon emissions would be reduced which would decrease chances of carbon footprint (Brand
et al., 2019).
Positive Environmental impact
The ecological impacts of energy efficient transportation are as follows:
 Reduced emission of gases like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide.
 Carbon neutrality can be achieved by use of modes of transport like electric vehicles, and
bicycles.
 The production of smog and other harmful gases, which react with the oxygen in the air, can be
reduced largely.
Recommendations for improvement
The recommendations for improving energy efficient methods in transportation are as follows:
 Instead of driving to short distances, walking can be preferred mode of reaching one’s
destination.
 Instead of hiring cabs for individual purpose, one can share cabs with persons going towards the
same destination.
 E-bikes and e-vehicles need to design in a way, which automatically switches off when not in use.
 Broken parts of old vehicles can be used in renovated ones and thus the cost of emission can be
reduced.
 Automobile companies should follow the emission standards as formulated by government
agencies and manufacture vehicles following the same to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 Using fuel consumption display and measuring tire pressure monthly are important energy
efficient methods (Mathiesen et al., 2015).
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be said that transport is a significant sector where use of energy efficient methods
reduce the emission of greenhouse gases or GHG largely. The social, economic, as well as ecological
benefits of using energy efficient methods in transport have been stated with examples wherever found
suitable. Suitable recommendations have also been stated so that improvement in the transportation
sector regarding energy efficient methods can be made. Discussion and a relevant case study have been
given in order to understand how energy efficient methods are used in the transportation sector and how
it has influenced in reducing carbon footprint. Although energy efficient methods are costly but in the end
they are known to impact positively on the environment and ensure a sustainable future for us all
Page 5 of 6

Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reduction
Reference List
Brand, C., Anable, J. and Morton, C., 2019. Lifestyle, efficiency and limits: modelling transport energy and
emissions using a socio-technical approach. Energy Efficiency, 12(1), pp.187-207.
Mathiesen, B.V., Lund, H., Connolly, D., Wenzel, H., Østergaard, P.A., Möller, B., Nielsen, S., Ridjan, I.,
Karnøe, P., Sperling, K. and Hvelplund, F.K., 2015. Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable
energy and transport solutions. Applied Energy, 145, pp.139-154.
Page 6 of 6