2 years ago I got tired of waiting for substantive action on CO2 emissions by
society/government.
I decided I had better at least act for myself - even though that was decidedly second best so far as the likely amount of emissions reduction.
In the process I also decided to forget the %reduction path as that was confusing to keep track of and to simply go for an appropriate absolute emissions target related to my 2 person household.
I looked at the available data and decided that 1 tonne 'per person on the globe' was the order of magnitude of CO2 emissions which would be more or less easily brought into equilibrium in the environment without measurable environmental or climate impacts.
I then looked at data which indicated how much of the CO2 emissions was typically under the 'control' of individuals in developed societies, this seemed to range from around low 20% to high 30% in some energy efficient cities, Australia seemed to be around 25% so 25% of one tonne was 250kg and this became my per capita target for total emissions under my 'control'.
When I considered what was under 'my control' so far as energy emissions, I took it to include electricity, natural gas, wood, petrol, diesel and any other energy sources consumed to run my domestic residence and personal transportation. Explicitly in this endeavour, I excuse myself from direct responsibility for emissions which could be attributed to being of service to me, relating to the various layers of government and infrastructure and the commercial entities such as shops etc that I deal with and also pets. In this model for personal action it is up to those other entities to deal with their own emissions. Pets (and all life forms for that matter) have a right to live the life they were born to.
The process I have undertaken is more or less identical to many if not most members of this forum, we live in an old family home c1950 which was not built for energy efficiency and so naturally everything I have done is in the 'retrofit' mode. The house has high thermal mass with colourbond roof and the lower level is overshadowed extensively in winter by our northern neighbour. Natural Gas is not available, we have a jetmaster fireplace but use it very rarely. Heating is by heat pump primarily.
Work done so far;
Extensive draughtproofing
Augmented ceiling insulation
electric assist bike
exchanged car for Fiesta Econetic
New refrigerator
led lights installed where warranted
Eliminating standby power use
Sealing Vents
Evacuated tube Hot water
Photovoltaic solar panels (1.52kw)
Home made solar panel air heaters fed to the underfloor lower level
extended 'kitchen garden' (no measure for this)
Still to Do;
Insulating window film (probably Enerlogic)
Possible 2nd string of PV solar
Possible exchange Fiesta for efficient electric car
Possible small additional evacuated tubes at a better winter angle
Hydro electricity in Tasmania has a current 3 year average CO2 emissions of 230g
I show the following tables to illustrate the trajectory and how the target can be met.
Prior to Target
All sources - historical
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
----------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid hydro 230 36.6 3073
Electricity PV solar 50 0 0
Solar Thermal Evacuated tubes 5 0 0
Solar Thermal Solar air heater 0.5 0 0
Gas barbecue 450 0.1 16
Petrol/diesel car 250 19 1750 (actually more km per day)
total 4839kg
Current Situation after adding Evacuated tubes and 1.52Kwp PV solar
Significant sources
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
----------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid 230 9.2 772
Electricity PV solar 50 5.8 106
Petrol/diesel car 130 19 910
total 1788Kg
Augmenting with 2nd string PV
Significant sources - add second string 1.5kw solar
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
----------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid 230 3.4 285
Electricity PV solar 50 11.6 212
Petrol/diesel car 130 19 910
total 1407Kg
Augmenting with Enerlogic window insulation
Significant sources - add second string 1.5kw solar + insulate windows
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
----------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid 230 3.4 285
Electricity PV solar 50 11.6 212
Petrol/diesel car 130 19 910
Insulate windows Enerlogic 230 -5 -420 **estimate for 20m2
total 987Kg
Augmenting with Efficient electric car
Significant sources - then
add second string 1.5kwp solar PV
Insulate single glazed windows with Enerlogic lamination
exchange cars for 10km/kwh (i.e.23g/km)imiev or similar
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
------------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid 230 3.4 kwh 285
Electricity PV solar 50 11.6 kwh 212
Petrol/diesel car 130 0 km 0
Electric Vehicle achieves 10km/kwh 23 19 km 161
Insulate windows Enerlogic 230 -5 kwh -420**
total 238
** implies require 20.25463 m2
Testing for sensitivity to 'typical' 900g CO2/Kwh coal source
Significant sources - sensitivity to 900g CO2/Kwh grid
add second string 1.5kwp solar PV
Insulate single glazed windows with Enerlogic lamination
exchange cars for 10km/kwh (i.e.90g/km)imiev or similar
Type source CO2 g/kwh Amount Emissions
rate p.day p.a.
------------------------------------------------------- ---------
Electricity grid 900 3.4 kwh 1117
Electricity PV solar 50 11.6 kwh 212
Petrol/diesel car 130 0 km 0
Electric Vehicle achieves 10km/kwh 90 19 km 630 (only 7000km/yr)
Insulate windows Enerlogic 900 -5 kwh -1643
total 316Kg
So if I took 900g/Kwh power as an incremental emissions figure I can still achieve the target 250Kg per person emissions, providing the window insulation works as hoped and a suitably sustainable and efficient electric vehicle can be found.
I did not see any benefit in using greenpower, since emissions of the distributed power would still be higher than my local production? I have not done a benefit/cost analysis in detail but around .5kwh p.a. /dollar invested seems to be a reasonable and achievable outcome overall.
I am interested in seeing comments and comparisons from others.
