Re-evaluating energy efficiency within value chains

One key puzzle to the energy transition equation is how best to make use of the available energy generation sources we have at our disposal. For Gerrit Jan Schaeffer, CEO of the Belgian research institute EnergyVille, this energy efficiency issue within value chains requires us all to take a step back and evaluate.

Schaeffer, who spoke during an exclusive Connect interview with Janet Wood at Enlit Europe, commented how, although there has been a significant acceleration of the energy transition since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is still a need to reduce energy demand alongside further investment.

There is a considerable portfolio of low carbon generative sources, he adds, that can be used smartly to drive home this concept, although it requires us to "take a step back and look at the whole energy value chain."

Schaeffer emphasized the context of this claim: the world population in the near future will grow from eight billion people to 10 or 11 billion people, and the general wealth of people will increase.

"This means a lot of extra energy demand (...) and we have to think about how to keep the primary energy demand in hand and that’s by choosing for energy efficient chains."

From a mobility perspective, Schaeffer said to look at electric vehicles instead of hydrogen vehicles simply because the chain for a hydrogen car is "two or three times more inefficient."

"Don't do that kind of thing, stop with that."

Also of interest:
Renewables + energy efficiency + demand response = the new transition equation
Energy Transitions Podcast: Improving power system efficiency – the science behind the energy transition

Make sure to watch the full Connect interview with Schaeffer for his opinion on hydrogen-based innovation in homes and how "incremental innovation" within R&D will be key to the energy transition.