World Energy Conservation Day (December 14)
Tabinda Salman
Dear Fellows,
World energy conservation day is celebrated annually on 14th December. This day is celebrated across the world to pay attention to an especially critical issue that is energy conservation. On Energy conservation day, the concerned authorities spread awareness to the common people about the importance of energy, consumption of energy, and use of energy in our daily lives. Conservation of energy is not only a genuine issue for us but if we will not work on conserving energy, it might be a major problem for future generations. We should minimize the wastage of energy and should be focused on saving energy sources for the future.
SOURCES OF ENERGY
We get energy from various sources. The most important and useful sources of energy are:
· Nuclear energy
· Coal
· Petroleum products
The above-mentioned sources are the commercial sources of energy that are available to us in a limited amount. According to the estimation we have the reserve of different sources for short period. Oil or petroleum products will last for around 45 years, coal for around two hundred years, and gas for around 65 years. This estimated time is a matter of great concern for us, and we should urgently workout for the development of alternative sources of energy. These sources must be produced in high amounts, they should be affordable and perennial.
Fossil fuel is the main source of energy production, which supplies three quarters of the energy, but it is not enough for our use due to its greater exhaustion and overpopulation. Unfortunately, no other energy source is found to be in abundance and cheap. Currently, different parts of the world are producing energy from biomass conversion but it’s just contributing 15% to the world’s energy, which is not sufficient. Another alternative source of energy production is hydropower which furnishes only 5.5% of the energy, which is also not sufficient. However, hydropower has the potential of producing 5 times greater production.
The production of energy by nuclear fission or energy is increasing day by day but still, it's just providing 5.2% of the world’s total energy needs. We can easily estimate that no single energy source is ready now to take over the production of energy by fossil fuels.
HOW TO CONSERVE ENERGY
When it comes to saving or conserving energy, there are different ways to do it. By taking small steps at home, office, schools, etc. We can easily save energy.
Written below are some basic steps to save energy consumption.
1. Switching off the appliances timely
Turn off the electrical devices such as fan, AC, extra lights when not in use. For example, don’t keep your TV on standby if not using it for several hours or more. Switch it off.
2. Use of natural light
Utilize natural light during the daytime. Open the curtains and let the sunshine brighten your room.
3. Use of energy effective bulbs
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. They are a big energy saver. Incandescent bulbs release 98% of their consumed energy through heat, while LED bulbs are much more energy-efficient and last several times longer.
4. Natural means of light production
Use organic and recycled materials. Use sources like windmill electricity and biodiesel.
5. An alternate method of light production
Use alternative energy-producing schemes such as turning foods (e.g. corn) into automobile fuel. If you afford to use solar panels because they use a renewable source of energy i.e. sunlight.
6. Smart usage of light
Design your room or office smartly to have a proper system of optimal usage of light. The spacing of the light fitting helps in the even distribution of lux levels and reduces the need for additional lighting fixtures.
7. Automation
Use daylight sensors or occupancy sensors which can help to operate lighting only when required.
8. Voltage regulators
Use of the regulators or dimmers to minimize the amount of electricity used. It can also improve the life of the bulbs.
9. The color of your room
Always select the color of your workspace or house cleverly. Select light colors for your indoor.
10. Maintenance
Regularly check your electrical appliances. Maintenance and servicing of equipment help to improve the life and overall effectiveness of electronic appliances.
BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
· Conserving energy produces a high quality of life.
· It can also help in making our air quality better and decreases the air pollution caused by machinery, factories, and vehicles, etc.
· Reduced carbon footprint at home helps creates a healthier environment.
· Sustaining non-renewable resources preserves the environment from further degradation.
· Reduced dependence on complex technology makes a positive impact on people makes it more feasible to rely on local and regional energy supplies.
· Energy conservation can also help in reducing greenhouse gases which leads to global warming.
IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION
Energy conservation is the effort we all should make to reduce the use and consumption of energy. It is very important to save energy because most of the energy is created through nonrenewable sources and these resources are getting depleted day by day. Reduction or conservation of energy will help to reduce the burden on these resources and also help reduce the impact on the environment. If everyone follows and implements conservation techniques it would be helpful for our environment.
World Energy Conservation Day was first celebrated 30 years back. At that time the range of renewable energy sources was small but due to the advancement in technology now we are using and exploring new sustainable power sources. For example, the use of solar photovoltaic technology is promising because it uses natural light which is free electricity and gives us limitless power sources. However, this solar technology has some limitations, but we can overcome these hurdles by installing solar panels with proper components.
By using such latest and useful technologies, which are the ultimate goals of world energy conservation, we can not only save money, but it will also help us to reduce carbon footprints. On behalf of NAYS-Pakistan, we would like to spread the word on this very important international day that, we all should avoid unnecessary use of energy and should try to use less amount of our energy resources. The main purpose of this activity will help us save energy for future generations.
Article: Ms. Sundeela Fayyaz
Best Regards,
Chief coordinator
National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan,