Electricity is a high quality energy carrier, and its inefficient use needs to be avoided by all means. But more important than the question ‘can we save electricity?’ may be to ask ourselves whether electricity can save energy.

The use of electricity is growing fast, and it’s growing faster than the consumption of primary energy. Paradoxically, this may be an opportunity rather than a problem, since electricity’s high efficiency at the point of use in combination with increasing options for low-carbon generation can be one of the main roads towards a sustainable energy system.

We are evolving towards a digital society, offering unprecedented opportunities to rethink transport and healthcare, increase productivity, develop knowledge, …

In OECD countries, the reliability of the electricity systems is consistently above 99.95% but this may not be sufficient for an increasing number of high end technological applications.

While requirements imposed on the electricity system increases, the increasing amount of decentralized generation risks reducing reliability, and requires us to rethink system operation. Fortunately, many of the technical solutions needed are already within sight, and some even within reach today.

Recent developments such as smart grids, plug-in hybrids, low-energy /passive houses and energy storage solutions will be analysed and used to draw a picture of the future electricity system. 

Electricity is a high quality energy form; it can be converted almost fully – without emissions at the point of use – to any other form of energy (motive power, light or heat). It can be used in either minute or large quantities and can be easily controlled, adding further efficiency to its use. It can serve all energy needs from a single system which has an impressive safety record, is comfortable to use, simple to operate and maintain, flexible and lean in investment at the user side.

The reverse side are conversion losses in thermal power plants and the need for balancing or storage, but technology developments are changing that reality.

How will electricity influence the energy landscape and will it contribute to the reduction of primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions? Or is electricity hindering primary energy consumption to go down? Should it be used anywhere we can, or only when there is no alternative?