2000-watt society
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The 2000-watt society (2,000-Watt Society) is a vision, originated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich at the end of 1998, in which each person in the developed world would cut their over-all rate of energy use to an average of no more than 2,000 watts (i.e. 17,520 kilowatt-hours per year of all energy use, not only electrical) by the year 2050, without lowering their standard of living.
The concept addresses not only personal or household energy use, but the total for the whole society, divided by the population.
Two thousand watts is approximately the current world average rate of total energy use. This compares to averages of around 6,000 watts in western Europe, 12,000 watts in the United States[1], 1500 watts in China, 1000 watts in India, and only 300 watts in Bangladesh.[2] Switzerland itself, currently using an average of around 5,000 watts, was last a 2000-watt society in the 1960s.
It is further envisaged that the use of carbon based fuels would be ultimately cut to no more than 500 watts per person within 50 to 100 years.
The vision was developed in response to concerns about climate change, energy security, and the future availability of energy supplies. It is supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy[3], the Association of Swiss Architects and Engineers, and other bodies.
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[edit] Current energy use
Breakdown of average energy consumption of 5.1 kW by a Swiss person as of July 2008:
- 1500 watts for living and office space (this includes heat and hot water)
- 1100 watts for food and consumer discretionary (including transportation of these to the point of sale)
- 600 watts for electricity
- 500 watts for automobile travel
- 250 watts for air travel
- 150 watts for public transportation
- 900 watts for public infrastructure
| Country | Today [kW] | Fixed Goal [kW] |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 12 [2] | ? |
| India | 1 [2] | No |
| China | 1.5 [2] | No |
| Switzerland | 5 [2] | No |
| Europe | 6 [2] | No |
| Switzerland (Zurich) | 5 [4] | 2 by 2050[4] |
| Switzerland (Basel) | 5 [5] | 2 by ? |
[edit] Implications
Researchers in Switzerland believe that this vision is achievable, despite a projected 65% increase in economic growth by 2050, by using new low-carbon technologies and techniques.[6]
It is envisaged that achieving the aim of a 2000-watt society will require, amongst other measures, a complete reinvestment in the country's capital assets; refurbishment of the nation's building stock to bring it up to low energy building standards; significant improvements in the efficiency of road transport, aviation and energy-intensive material use; the possible introduction of high-speed maglev trains; the use of renewable energy sources, district heating, microgeneration and related technologies; and a refocusing of research into new priority areas.
As a result of the intensified research and development effort required, it is hoped that Switzerland will become a leader in the technologies involved. Indeed, the idea has a great deal of government backing, due to fears about climate change.
[edit] The Basel pilot region
Launched in 2001 and located in the metropolitan area of Basel, 'Pilot Region Basel' aims to develop and commercialise some of the technologies involved. The pilot is a partnership between industry, universities, research institutes and the authorities, coordinated by Novatlantis. Participation is not restricted to locally based organisations. The city of Zurich joined the project in 2005 and the canton of Geneva declared its interest in 2008.
Within the pilot region the projects in progress include demonstration buildings constructed to MINERGIE or Passivhaus standards, electricity generation from renewable energy sources, and vehicles using natural gas, hydrogen and biogas. The aim is to put research into practice, seek continuous improvements, and to communicate progress to all interested parties, including the public.
[edit] See also
- Low-carbon economy
- Carbon footprint
- Sustainable development
- Energy conservation
- Energy policy
- World energy resources and consumption
- Peak oil
- Oil phase-out in Sweden
- One Watt Initiative
- United Kingdom Climate Change Bill
- Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d e f Elizabeth Kolbert (Journalist). "The Island in the Wind". The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_kolbert?currentPage=all. Retrieved on 2008-12-23.
- ^ "Federal government energy research". January 16, 2008. http://www.bfe.admin.ch/forschungnetze/01223/index.html?lang=en.
- ^ a b Dr. E. Ledergerber, Dr. André Kuy. "Ergänzung der Gemeindeordnung, Verankerung der Nachhaltigkeit und der 2000 Watt Gessellschaft". City of Zurich. http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/dam/stzh/portal/Deutsch/Abstimmungen%20%26%20Wahlen/081130/Abstimmungszeitung_4_08_Internet.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-12-23.
- ^ Prof. Armin Binz, Werner Müller (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz), Dr. Dominik Keller (State of Basel). "The Basel pilot region of the 2K Watt Sciety". State of Basel. http://www.basel.ch/en/basel/urban_development/2000_watt_society. Retrieved on 2008-12-23.
- ^ Titel page
[edit] External links
- Novatlantis
- All info about the 2000 Watt Society (in French)
- The Basel pilot region (Canton of Basel-Stadt)
- The realities of implementing the 2,000 Watt society
- Energy from the perspective of sustainable development: the 2000 Watt society
- Four town development projects for Basel
- Paul Scherrer Institut: The 2000 Watt Society: Standard or Guidepost?, 2007
- Steps towards a 2000 Watt Society
