|
 An European Commission research shows that about 20 percent of the energy consumed
in Europe is being wasted through inefficient practices and equipment. Energy usage
causes 80% of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. In Europe, electricity consumption
by appliances, including TV and audiovisual equipment, equals the combined total
for all the continent's factories, offices, shops and shopping malls. Over the last
10 years, European manufacturers have invested €10 billion of their own money
to improve the energy-efficiency and the performance of appliances.
There is a huge potential for additional savings in electricity and emissions into
the atmosphere: 44 TWh(1) can be saved by replacing the 188 million household
appliances over 10 years old, that are still used in European homes. Replacing these
with ones using the latest technology would cut 22 million tons(2) from
CO2 released into the atmosphere.
(1) 1 TWh (Terawatt-hour) is a very large figure: 1 billion kWh (kilowatt-hour).The
kWh is the standard unit for electricity consumption and prices.
(2) The relation between TWh and Mtons (million tons) is based on average
fossil fuel mix used in electricity generation. The generation of 1 TWh of electricity
disperses into the atmosphere about 0.5 Mtons CO2.
|