Energy Efficiency
Making industries, vehicles, and communities more energy efficient is a largely untapped solution to climate change and fossil fuel depletion. Excellent returns on investments can be measured in months rather than years for appropriate technology choices.
It has been estimated that in buildings and in industrial settings there are abundant opportunities to save 70% to 90% of the energy and cost for lighting, fan, and pump systems; 50% for electric motors; and 60% in areas such as heating, cooling, office equipment, and appliances. In general, up to 75% of the electricity used in developed countries today could be saved with efficiency measures that cost less than the electricity itself.
The first steps to reduce energy consumption include an energy audit, comparisons with other facilities, payback analysis and a greenhouse gas management plan. Once a usage baseline has been established, simple low-cost measures can typically reduce energy consumption by at least 20%. For example, an office comprising 100 PCs, 10 printers, five fax machines and scanners and three photocopiers can save $22000/yr by re-educating staff and applying correct Energy Star features.
Biosphere Capital can advise on a range of energy-saving technologies: we have particular experience in industrial waste heat recovery systems, fuel-switch (oil to gas an fossil fuel to biomass), insulation, water management, high efficiency heating/cooling systems and condition monitoring.
Biosphere Capital's engineering advisory team can assist you with an energy audit and direction in energy efficiency.