Discussion Series

Overview

We usually don't think much about how energy is used to keep our buildings warm and lighted, which might be why the traditional ways of doing it are so inefficient. These tasks are the biggest consumers of electricity in the United States, and improvements in energy efficiency could decrease American energy consumption by 25% in the next 10 years. Come and join fellow members of the MIT Energy Club to learn more about how passive technologies can lead to dramatic gains in energy efficiency and discuss the implications of some recent reports on the subject.  

Please check out the readings and discussions available on the website to learn more about what we will be discussing.  

For more information, contact Rebecca Dell, rwdell(at)mit.edu

Key Questions

What are the advantages of passive vs. active technologies?

How does the situation differ for retrofitting existing buildings vs. new energy efficient construction?

How cost-effective are these technologies (and how might that change with carbon price)?

What are the concerns for residential v. commerical buildings?

How large are the potential savings in building energy usage in the US through these technologies?

What are some of the challenges to overcome in order to realize these savings?

 

Preparatory Readings

Efficiency Drive Could Cut Energy Use 23%, Study Finds (NYTimes, 30July09)

ACEEE report on Efficiency Gains from Waxman-Markey Climate Bill

Excerpts from the DOE Buildings Energy Data Book

Greenhouse Gas Abatement Cost Curve

Passive Efficiency in Buildings

06:00-07:00PM Thursday, September 17, 2009
Leader: Steve Ray
Location: 26-204