Energy and device efficiency: in a Cap-and-Trade system

When cap and trade comes into force, later this year, there is pressure to cut CO2 emissions from the burning of coal to make electricity, especially from coal burning plants. Natural gas, a cleaner fuel, is preferred to coal. Nat. Gas emits about 0.5kg CO2 per kWhr of electricity and coal burning power plants emit 0.8Kg to 1.2Kg depending on type of coal.

Natural Gas vs. Conventional Coal based power.

For A Conventional Plant, getting to the lower level of a natural gas plant amounts to a 50% reduction in emissions
Impact on electricity prices, increases cost by up to 50%...
If all these costs are passed on to consumers, and you pay 10 cents per kWhr your new bill is 15 cents.
Such higher prices begin to make Alternative sources of energy viable ... wind, solar, Biogas, etc (with Subsidies) start competing with conventional CO2 coal plants at these prices.


At these price rise, Energy Efficiency of power devices begins to get significant attention.

Example of Efficient devices: In a waste water treatment plant, the biggest energy bill is aeration, about 60% to 70% of the cost. For a bill of $100/- for the plant - $70 is the energy to aerate. Now the electricity price goes up 50%. And your bill is $150/- !!
Switching to efficient devices of Aeration like Parkson's HiOx fine bubble diffusers, is the easiest way to save money.

Energy not used = CO2 emissions not emitted = CO2 credits. These credits can be traded, once cap-and-trade is in place. Depending on which fuel is displaced, CO2 emitted is different. (Coal / Natural gas).