Don’t waste time trying to cut energy consumption
‘It’s a simple concept – the more money people save on energy, the more they will have available to spend on flights to the Costa Brava.’ That’s what De Montfort University professor James Woudhuysen (pictured) is expected to assert at The Energy Event, which will be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham on 11-12 September.
Woudhuysen, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation, will highlight the Jevons Paradox, otherwise known as the rebound effect, and how it should influence any government initiatives before we ‘waste any more time trying to cut energy consumption.’ The Jevons Paradox, Jevons effect, or ‘rebound’ effect, is the idea – first proposed in 1865 by the English economist William Stanley Jevons – that increases in the efficiency with which a fuel is used tend to increase, not decrease, the rate at which that fuel is consumed.
Focusing on energy demand reduction will simply cause more energy to be used, according to Woudhuysen, who argues that it would be better to concentrate efforts on developing better, cheaper, more reliable and cleaner sources of energy. The professor’s presentation, which is to take place in The Energy Information Theatre, will also deal with the prospect of power cuts in the UK, as well as why a revival in energy R&D would make a refreshing change from years of what he calls ‘fooling about with subsidies and price mechanisms.’
This year’s show has been created with the help of key industry associations, including ESTA, Major Energy Users’ Council, Energy Institute, Waterwise, GAMBICA, BCAS, BCIA and WTL; a line-up that ensures that the event remains an important source of thought leadership for the energy industry. The four theatres alongside the show floor itself constitute the main attraction for visitors to The Energy Event.
The Energy Information Theatre is packed with case studies from energy users of all types. The keynote speakers will offer compelling guidance on current thinking and some frank views. Paul Edwards, Head of Sustainability at Hammerson, will look at an issue that affects a large number of businesses looking to implement cost saving procedures, that of tackling the landlord-tenant quandary, what approaches can be adopted when you are the tenant, not owner of the building.
The ESTA Theatre is curated by the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) whose seminars are designed with energy managers in mind to offer a basic understanding of principles, awareness of policy issues and effective implementation to produce savings. It also focuses on maintenance and management costs that help manufacturers to understand how to bring down energy costs.
The Energy Insight Conference will cover debate around the issues that are crucial to professionals who are responsible for energy purchasing or carbon reduction policies and practices within their organisations. It features presentations from important industry spokespeople such as Daisy McAndrew, ITV News special correspondent, Philip Lowe, Director General – Energy at the European Commission, Volker Beckers, CEO of RWE npower and Chris Train of the National Grid. Broadening the picture even further are Professor Brian Cox and Alastair Campbell, answering the fundamental or most challenging questions about the universe and politics, spin, and communications strategy. The afternoon sessions are curated by the Major Energy Users’ Council and will include discussions about Britain’s decarbonisation and the role and effect of bureaucracy on energy efficiency.
The Hosted Content Theatre will feature presentations hosted by a mixture of associations and exhibitors including Waterwise and npower. The seminars will cover water efficiency, energy procurement and a live energy debate.
Featuring world class content that addresses cost savings and smarter energy use, The Energy Event is capturing and attracting more interest than ever before. Shortlisted for the UK’s Best Trade Show Award, it will help commercial and not-for-profit organisations to optimise their energy use, comply with legislation and implement sustainable energy efficiency and procurement solutions.
The exhibition will sit alongside two other renowned events, The Renewables Event - the new event for renewable energy technologies - and RWM in partnership with CIWM. Between them, they will cater to the needs of 20,000 professionals from across the public and commercial sectors.
To register for your free place or for more information about the show, please visit www.theenergyevent.com/pr, quoting priority code EPR3.
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