Semiconductor group says 1.2 trillion-kWh in savings possible; asks for federal aid

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the savings estimate will add to the Department of Energy’s own projected savings of 1.9 trillion kWh by the same year. Image sourced from STOCKXPERT.

The trade group representing the semiconductor industry in the US has released a study that said the wide and increased use of semiconductor-enabled products could reduce electricity demand by 1.2 trillion kilowatt-hours by 2030.

According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the savings estimate will add to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) own projected savings of 1.9 trillion kWh by the same year.

The savings are expected to come largely from the deployment of more efficient use of energy as a result of more advanced applications and products that use semiconductors. These include computers, cars, lighting, communication networks, smart grids, and even power plants.

“More than half of all US electricity flows through motors. By 2030, motor related electricity savings largely enabled by semiconductors are likely to exceed 100 billion kilowatt hours,” the study released by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy said. The study was commissioned by the SIA.

“Semiconductors enable solar panels to harvest up to 57% of power normally lost to real world conditions due to clouds, dirt, and bird droppings,” the study stated.

However, to get the savings which it puts at $1.3 trillion for the US, SIA said policies that accelerate semiconductor-enabled technologies must be adopted. The SIA is lobbying the federal government to invest $150 billion over 10 years to accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids and renewable energy, encourage energy efficiency and develop a smart grid.

The group said federal grants and tax incentives for manufacturers of energy-efficient and renewable energy products and technologies are also needed.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives are presently involved in passing a comprehensive climate bill that includes a requirement for utilities to source a mandated level of their power generation from renewables. The draft bill is planned to roll off from the committee level this month.


-  Eric Dorente

Source:

¹ http://www.sia-online.org/galleries/Publications/ACEEE_Report_2009_1-Pager.pdf