Why energy efficiency IS exciting...

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency has never received the same level of attention as the more "fashionable" renewable energy sources. OK, so maybe energy saving lightbulbs are not as exciting as the giant wind turbines that twirl high into our skies actually giving us electricity rather than simply using less of it, but people are slowly coming round to the importance of energy efficiency.

By saving both money and greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency can make a direct impact for regular consumers. Even President Barack Obama's administration has touted energy efficiency as the "cheapest, cleanest, and fastest" energy source.

A McKinsey report published in July also concluded that it offers "a vast, low-cost energy resource for the US economy - but only if the nation can craft a comprehensive and innovative approach to unlock it."

And the industry just got even more exciting...well, for MBA students at least. Environmental Defense Fund has developed an innovative approach to unlock energy efficiency in the commercial building space: Climate Corps puts talented MBA students from top-ranking business schools in leading companies to make the business case for energy efficiency investments in office buildings and data centers.

Emily Reyna, a project manager in the Corporate Partnerships Program at the Environmental Defense Fund, insists Climate Corps is so far proving a great success. Reyna claims that the 2009 class has so far uncovered efficiencies in "lighting, computer equipment and heating and cooling systems that could save more than $54 million in net operational costs over the project's lifetime."

She claims the project could also cut the equivalent of 160 million kilowatt hours of energy use annually, or enough to power 14,000 homes and avoid 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year - equivalent to taking more than 12,000 SUVs off the road.

There also measures the government can take to aid the progress of energy efficiency in the US, such as phasing out the incandescent lightbulb so CFLs and LEDs can take over as the default household lighting products.

But Climate Corps project could prove vital for the development and raising of awareness of energy efficiency and its advantages. It is likely to become an essential part in the growth of this sector, and with full backing from Washington, energy efficiency should have a very bright future.

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