Source: Data are from U.S. DOE, Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Report. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861, Annual Electric Power Industry Report. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-923, Power Plant Operations Report and predecessor forms.
When technology produces big leaps in energy efficiency, it’s pretty easy to make meaningful reductions in your carbon footprint. Just buy newer stuff.
But as a long-term observer of this issue, it seems to me that technology-driven gains in energy efficiency are hitting their limits. There are a lot of important areas — cars, fridges, lighting, and even electrical generation itself — where any further reductions in carbon footprint look a lot more difficult.
What I’m trying to say is, looks like technology has already grabbed the low-hanging fruit.
I’m not going to belabor the societal implications of this. For me, this means that once I’m driving an EV and living in a house with an efficient heat pump and LED lights, there are no more easy reductions in my household carbon emissions. Nor are there likely to be, for the foreseeable future. Lifestyle changes, yes. Effortless reductions in emissions, no.
Maybe this is as good as it gets.
Continue reading Post #1936: What if this is as good as it gets?