A negawatt is a unit of saved energy that would have been produced and consumed. It is a measure of energy efficiency that helps reduce pollution and costs. The term was coined by Amory Lovins and is encouraged by switching to energy-efficient bulbs and resources. Small changes can have an impact on the environment.
A negawatt is essentially a negative megawatt, as it is a megawatt of power that didn’t need to be produced or consumed. In other words, it is a unit of saved energy that otherwise would not only have been produced but also used. Perhaps the simplest way to define it is that a negawatt is a measure of energy efficiency. When less energy is consumed, the demand for energy decreases.
If a penny saved is a penny earned, energy saved can be thought of in much the same way. Or, a megawatt saved is a negawatt gained. Instead of wasting energy, we can reduce its expenditure as well as our costs. While the cost of producing energy may not be reduced, at least not by much, we will spend less due to a decrease in volume. Energy efficiency also helps reduce pollution.
More than one source indicates that the term negawatt was coined by Amory Lovins and may have been the product of a typographical error, resulting in the word negawatt being printed instead of megawatt. Apparently, Lovins felt that the word best captured the concept of efficient use of energy and thus began using the term in speeches and lectures.
The theory is that people can “generate” a negawatt of power whenever they use resources more practically and efficiently. If the wasted energy were available for use, it would almost be as if we had another – or new – source of energy. Of course, saving energy, as well as other resources, is also considered one of the best ways to take care of the environment. Lovins is a major figure in the environmental movement, even referred to as a guru by some.
Lovins saw lighting as a major culprit when it comes to wasting energy. He started with the ballast discussion. The concept of negawatt caught on and today people are being encouraged to switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. By replacing just a 60-watt bulb with one that uses only 14 watts, you can save 46 watts or create 46 negawatts. This is energy that your electric company will not have to produce or that can be directed to another consumer, thus decreasing both production and production.
Even small changes are said to have an impact on the environment. Consumers are advised to change at least one bulb, preferably the one that is used most frequently. Over time, hopefully more and more people will not only adopt this idea, but will also continue to switch more and more things they commonly use to more energy-efficient ones.
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