Using solar panels and wind turbines to provide energy to homes.
Using energy efficient lighting.
Installing double-glazing to limit heat from escaping.
Ensuring homes have cavity wall and loft insulation to limit heat from escaping.
Installing energy-efficient appliances such as dishwashers ad washing machines.
Using high-efficiency water heating.
Reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing efficiency will help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and our carbon footprint.
Energy conservation - Designing homes, workplaces and transport for sustainability
Sustainable energy developments in Malmo, Sweden
Malmo is an industrial city of 300,000 people on Sweden's west coast. Malmo's Western Harbour is one of the best examples of sustainable urban redevelopment in the world.
Transport schemes in Malmo aim to reduce car usage and people's carbon footprint:
From 2019 all buses will run on biogas.
Cyclists have priority at crossroads. A sensor system turns lights green when a cyclist approaches.
Frequent buses and water taxis offer public transport options for local people.
A car share scheme has been introduced.
Homes and workplaces have been designed to conserve and generate energy:
All 1000 buildings (homes and workplaces) in the Malmo district use 100% renewable energy. For example, there are solar panels on the roof of houses and workplaces, a 2MW wind turbine, and biogas is produced from local sewage and rubbish.
Solar tubes on the outside of buildings produce hot water which can be stored in aquifers 90 metres below the ground and used to heat buildings during the winter. The water is pumped using electricity from wind power.
Energy conservation - Demand reduction
Energy demand can be reduced by:
Financial incentives to encourage people to switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric or hybrid types.
Encourage energy efficiency by providing government grants or tax relief for insulating homes, installing renewable energy devices such as solar panels and fitting double glazing. For example, the Green Homes Grant scheme - the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-saving home improvements.
Raising awareness of the importance of conserving energy and sharing ideas on how to use energy more efficiently.
Installation of smart-metres so people can track and adjust their energy use
Energy conservation - Use of technology to increase efficiency in the use of fossil fuels
Fossil fuels - coal and gas power stations can now re-use wasted heat. These are called combined-cycle systems. Re-using heat makes the most out of the fossil fuel. Also, some power stations now burn small amounts of biomass alongside fossil fuels. This is called co-firing and it makes the fossil fuel last longer.
Carbon capture and storage is the removal of carbon dioxide from waste gases from power stations and then storing it in old oil and gas fields or coal mines underground. This reduces the amount of emissions into the atmosphere.
Increasing the efficiency of transport
Electric and hybrid cars reduce the use of fossils fuels. Hybrid cars used both electricity and petrol/diesel to achieve excellent fuel efficiency.
Biofuel is an option used effectively in Brazil. This is where plant material or animal waste is used to power vehicles.
Fuel efficient cars which uses less oil and petrol/diesel. This can be achieved by making car lighter, using carbon fibre.
Regenerative braking systems - devices stored with energy lost through braking which is used later or returned to the national grid.