Sarfraz H Dairkee LEED AP, CEM, CEA, CBCP, PSAT

Sarfraz H DairkeeLEED AP, CEM, CEA, CBCP, PSAT

Arab Climate Resilience Initiative

The Pursuit Towards Sustainable Energy-

Resources, Challenges and Opportunities

A Quest for Another Perspective ………

Unlimited Demands

Limited Resources

What is the solution

?

The Engineer’s View

Supply Management

Generate more electricity by increasing production or improving efficiency

of conventional technology.

The Economist’s View

Demand Management

Reduced DemandBy

Increasing Price

Are these the only ways?

Are we forgetting something?

What we are forgetting is that all the forms of energy are not equal

or alike. Some forms of energy may be

better suited to be directly applied to demands rather than

through conversion to and expenditure of electricity.

Matching appropriate energy supply to end use is the

answer.

Broadening Our PerspectiveWhy is it that we only think of electricity when considering

Energy?Energy = Exergy + Anergy

Electricity is the highest form of energy; it is Exergy itself.

Practically, due to imperfect

efficiency, electricity usage leads to both Exergy and Anergy.

?Are we forgetting something again ?

Consumers don't demand energy, they demand goods

and services. Electricity is not an end in itself.

It is only ONE of the means of ensuring delivery of these needs.

The other ways…There are various other forms of energy available to our disposal such as solar, wind, hydel, tidal,

diurnal differentials

Conventional wisdom is to use these renewable forms to

generate electricity.

The quality of different forms of energy

QUALITY OF ENERGY

FORM OF ENERGY

QUALITY INDEX

(%EXERGY)Extra superior Potential energy

Kinetic energyElectrical energy Nuclear energy

100100100 almost 100

Superior SunlightChemical energyHot steamDistrict heating

9595 6030

Inferior Waste heat 5

Value Less Heat radiation from the earth 0

Energy Exergy Efficiency

The 'Energy Crisis' does not stem from a lack of energy…

…but from a failure to match forms of energy to the real

requirements of the consumer Amory Lovins

The Softpath ApproachProposed by Amory Lovins

A soft energy path is one that is pliable, one that matches the energy

source to the energy demand. There is no demand for electricity, oil or Uranium. The demand is for needs

and comforts.The soft path approach is about supplying the most appropriate

energy in the most energy efficient way to meet those needs directly.

Features of Soft-energy PathsProposed by Amory Lovins

- Rely upon natural energy flows - Are diverse, thus not over-dependent upon any one source - Are flexible using local resources and materials - Are matched in scale to end use needs - Are in harmony with environment aligning with nature rather than controlling it - Are matched in energy type and

quality to end use needs

- Are resilient

Practical applications for building designs in the Middle East

Indoor illumination and water heating using solar insolation.

Natural ventilation using wind energy to ensure healthy indoor air quality.Temperature control and cooling using diurnal variation of humidity, temperature and wind conditions.

To sum it up…Think beyond electric/grid power. There’s more to energy than electricity.

High Exergy solutions may be the most convenient but are not the most optimum and sustainable. Matching appropriate forms of energy directly with needs can yield significant efficiency gains.The environment is your ally. Work with it rather than against it!

We must remember that …‘There is no free lunch’ let us try that our future

generations do not have to pay for our mistakes.

Thank You! Questions?

Sarfraz H DairkeeLEED AP, CEM, CEA, CBCP, PSAT