Overview

The world continues to demand more and more energy. For how we move, what we consume, how we live. As Chevron looks for more energy sources to meet growing demand, we all must be smarter about what we use and how we use it. It's time we all took action.

As an energy company, we at Chevron believe that energy saved is energy found. We believe that reducing demand isn’t about sacrificing in the way we live, but about doing more with less. By making smarter energy choices and being less wasteful, we can all make a big difference.

About the Energy Generator

The Energy Generator is a tool that demonstrates that energy saved is energy found. Developed with the Alliance to Save Energy, the Energy Generator suggests several easy ways one can save energy in their daily lives. The tool then converts that saved energy and expresses it in easily understood equivalents. For example, a movie lover could offset the amount of energy it takes to watch 26 DVDs by simply carpooling to work one day.

Further, the Energy Generator can aggregate results to show how much energy could be saved if a given number of people joined in. In all instances where aggregate results state "Power a (school, hospital, etc)", power refers to only providing the electricity to run that facility or unit.

Lastly, the Energy Generator can express saved energy in a cash equivalent so the user can better understand how saving energy might affect their gas or electricity bill.

Energy savings measures are assumed to happen in x days, x weeks, or x months over the course of one year, except in the following cases, that are single, discrete actions for which a timeframe does not apply:

• Loads of laundry (per load)
• Hybrid one road trip (per trip)

All energy comparisons are based on the British Thermal Unit (BTU) energy content of the source fuel. One BTU represents the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. We used BTUs in order to compare fuels that are not interchangeable. For example, even though electricity savings cannot be directly used to fuel a conventional vehicle, the energy content of the fuel that generates the electricity can be compared to the energy content of the gasoline that fuels the vehicle. To simplify calculations of equivalence between different forms of energy, a consumer's cost in paying for electricity generation is assumed to exclude paying for the heat losses that occur. Therefore, the equivalent activity (in terms of cost savings) would be lower than what one may expect if the total energy content of a fossil fuel were converted completely to electricity.

All electricity calculations are based on the energy content of electricity generated by fossil fuels, even though electricity is also generated by nuclear and renewable sources. To simplify calculations to use available data, we are comparing savings with a gas-fired power baseline. In other words, saving a kWh of electricity will decrease the amount of electricity that gas-fired power plants need to generate rather than reduce the amount of wind or nuclear electricity in that grid. In short, taking action to conserve energy will result generally in less electricity generation from some fossil fuels, such as natural gas, because gas-fired power plants generally have higher cost to operate, though many were first built to supply additional demand and will be the first to have their output cut in response to demand reductions.

All measures that involve water heating assume the water heater is fueled by natural gas.

Calculations involving replacement of appliances assume that it is best they are replaced at the end of their lifecycle.

Tool Limitations

The energy savings calculated by this tool only consider personal energy savings and do not factor in any additional effect these measures might have on an economy-wide scale. For example, biking to work instead of driving would reduce road congestion, which might enable other drivers to get better fuel economy. Only the personal savings from not driving is considered, though, and not the extra energy all the other drivers might save.

The cost savings calculations only consider the money saved due to energy savings. Additional costs may be incurred in order to realize this savings (e.g., paying a public transportation fare), but the reported value of savings only considers the cost of the energy that is not consumed.

The energy savings from riding public transportation considers the energy saved by not driving, but it does not assume that any additional energy is consumed by adding an additional rider to the public transportation system.

Two of the measures involve lowering a thermostat, either for residential heating or for a water heater. Although this tool allows for a large temperature reduction, you should not actually lower either thermostat to an unsafe level. The minimum recommended temperature will vary for a home thermostat depending on climatic conditions, but a water heater thermostat should never be set below 130°F.

Why Develop the Energy Generator?

This tool is intended to help people better understand how they use energy and how they can use it more efficiently. By demonstrating that energy saved is energy found, Chevron hopes to inspire people to become energy savers and do more with less.

If you have questions or feedback about the tool's development, its sources or functionality, or need technical support, please contact us.

Sources

Alliance to Save Energy research tests
"Annual Energy Outlook," U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2008
"Annual Energy Review," EIA, 2007
"Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey," EIA, 2003
"Consumer Energy Center," California Energy Commission
"Converting Energy Units 101," EIA
"Dates and Hours," Cedar Point
"Energy Efficient Products," U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
"Energy News You Can Use," EIA
"Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use," EERE
"Gas Mileage Tips," fueleconomy.gov
"Horsepower/Kilowatt Conversions," American Machinist
"Hybrid Vehicles," fueleconomy.gov
"International Energy Annual," EIA, 2005
"iPod Nano – Technical Specifications," Apple Computer
"iPod Nano Battery," Battery Ship
"Linksys BEFSR41 Data Sheet," Linksys
"Linksys CM100 Data Sheet," Linksys
"Lower Water Heating Temperature for Energy Savings," EERE
"Millennium Force," Coaster Critic
"Millennium Force," Rollercoaster Database
"Millennium Force," Thrill Network
"Monthly Energy Review," EIA, August 2008
"National Population Projections," U.S. Census Bureau
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"Queen Elizabeth 2 Cruise Ship," Travel Wizard
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"Segway Personal Transporter," Segway, Inc.
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"Savings Calculator – Clothes Washer," Energy Star
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"Savings Calculator – Computer Power Management," Energy Star
"Savings Calculator – Dishwasher," Energy Star
"Savings Calculator – Programmable Thermostat," Energy Star
"Savings Calculator – Vending Machine," Energy Star
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"What's on the TV," Rainer et al., September 2004