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| Energy Conservation |
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-> Conserving Energy with Copper
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Conserving Energy With Copper.
Copper It Means Saving Money AND the Planet |
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 Energy
prices are rising to their highest level in decades. There is great
concern worldwide about climate change as greenhouse gas emissions
continue to grow. Rarely has the importance of energy conservation
been more apparent.
Copper - one of the most energy-efficient materials known - is at
the forefront of efforts to conserve energy, save money, and reduce
greenhouse emissions associated with global climate change.
Why copper? Because when compared to other conductors, copper's extremely
high degree of electrical conductivity results in less generation
of unwanted heat and more efficient power generation.
Engineers call this waste "resistive loss," and even give it a formula:
I2R (current-squared times resistance) = heat. These losses result
in vast energy waste leading to higher demands on generation capacity
and increased emissions of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide.
Copper's superior conductivity is why most electrical and communications
wire is made of copper. But copper's critical role in efficient energy
use is not limited to wire and cable. All electronics and electric-powered
equipment rely on the smooth and efficient operation of copper.
The information revolution that is transforming our world is powered
by electricity and its future growth will depend on efficient energy
use - including more copper.
To promote energy efficiency, the international copper industry has
teamed with the US Energy Department, the European Union, and others
to encourage the use of energy-efficient motor systems. These modern,
high-efficiency motors save energy by using more copper in their windings.
The motors can realize sizable energy and cost savings that pay for
themselves many times over during their life-cycle.
And since electric motors are the single biggest industrial user of
power, efficiency gains by using copper can have a big impact on reducing
emissions and increasing productivity worldwide.
Motors are not alone in using energy more efficiently with copper.
Transformers, busbars, and lighting ballasts all operate with lower
power losses and less cost as the amount of copper built into these
devices increases.
Consequently, a new energy-efficiency formula is pointing the way
to the future: more copper = more efficient energy use = cost savings
+ reduced emissions. |
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