Supplying Energy through Greater Efficiency: The Potential for Conservation in California's Residential Sector

Abstract

Conserved energy is treated as a new energy source. Its potential is measured with supply curves that have been previously used only for economic assessments of tangible energy sources. Data on energy savings in individual homes and in the use of specific appliances are examined and then their conclusions are extrapolated to California residential sector. These estimates make it possible to compare the cost of energy conservation with the cost of searching for new conventional energy supplies or the cost of building new power plants. (MHR)