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pinion SUSTAINABLE ENERGY In the search of a sustainable future, we must not forget that in the beginning was the ‘Energy’ and in the end nothing will be left but the ‘Energy’. As above so below, as sideways so within, energy is omnipresent. Yet, within this sea of energy, we still cannot figure out how to tap into abundant, clean, economical, and sustainable forms of energy.

The complexity of the energy systems and the looming conflict between energy demand, supply, and climate change create one of the greatest challenges for mankind.

Humanity is seeking more efficient energy systems in order to keep growing economically whilst preserving its thin biosphere. As we don’t have abundant, clean, and cheap energy, finding the best energy mix is vital for a sustainable future and low-carbon economy. Conventional energy sources lay a heavy burden on our environment. Climate change caused by the increasing amount of CO2 in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels is threatening our ecosystem. Moreover, the ever-increasing earth’s population and demand for energy are breaking the patient’s limit of our Mother Nature. One of our biggest worldwide challenge is how can we transform our current energy system into sustainable one. Do conventional energy and renewable energy have to compete or complement each other? Should the renewable energy be centralized or decentralized?

What would be the optimal energy mix taking into account several criteria such as land use, water use, energy security, and climate change. Should we push towards more investments in renewable energy to increase supply or towards investment in energy efficiency to curb our energy demand? Can energy conservation and energy management systems play an important role in limiting our energy consumption without sacrificing the benefits we enjoy in employing energy services? The invisibility and complexity of energy resources necessitate the management of energy usage. Energy monitoring and measuring are crucial for sustainable energy development for it helps towards controlling, reducing, and eliminating energy wastage. Shouldn’t we focus on the energy performance and its direct impact with demand and use of energy in the built environment whether for domestic, industrial, or commercial use? Lighting and space heating/cooling within a building envelope are of significant impact in the demand side management of a sustainable energy system. Can we employ technologies and policies towards implementing viable models for net zero energy housing and retrofitting our buildings to the best rating standards of ‘green’ certificates? Energy efficiency technologies, insulation, domestic combined heat and power, geothermal heat pumps, and lighting efficiency and controls can all contribute positively to the transformation of our energy systems but to what extent?

Behavioural change and analysis of decision-making are another area that we should consider. Changing the way we consume energy and learning to adapt our life using energy smartly is inevitable for a sustainable future. Human resistance to change is a fact but furthering our understanding in behavioural science and cognitive engineering will help us to develop decision support tools that can be used for implementing actions in energy conservation and energy efficiency technologies. It is interesting to assess the effectiveness of incentives in carbon trading, feed-in tariffs, smart-meters, energy monitoring devices, and ‘green’ certificates.

Can we learn to accomplish more work with less energy? Would energy conservation become an issue of survival? Can we break the chains of global warming and the threat of climate change? Can we heal our environment and economy through energy efficiency alone? In a world where energy is like oxygen an essential component of life where it concerns all people and nations, sustainable energy is no longer an option rather a must.

As above we have the sun so below we have geothermal and hydro, as sideways we have the wind so within we have the mental energy. Whether mining or growing fuels, harnessing or conserving energy, the real world energy complex problem is yet to be solved. - Sam Ghauch 8