The Challenge with Realizing the Global Energy Transition

Energy efficiency is a commonly used term associated with the clean-energy transition, though the connotation only encapsulates half of its meaning. As typically used, energy efficiency describes the use of technologies, such as LED lights, smart thermostats, and other intelligent grid devices, that reduce the amount of wasted energy from a process. This allows less energy to be used to achieve the same result.

While these technologies are an essential component to realizing a resilient clean-energy future, their use alone is not sufficient. To effectively transition to sustainable and efficient energy systems, it is important to take a holistic and systemic approach to energy efficiency.

This involves optimizing interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder processes in order to design realistic pathways that result in both affordability and efficiency. By doing so, we can work toward reducing carbon emissions while fostering a more sustainable future.

Barriers to Efficient Transition of Energy Systems

There are many inefficiencies that inhibit the clean-energy transition. Some of the most significant inefficiencies result from the system-wide friction and tension — politically, economically, and socially — that lead to resistance to change.