Time is the greatest innovator - Energy efficiency developments in the industrial and commercial market 1985 to 200 AD (58p.)

In the first part of this paper the authors look at one of the possible energy scenarios for the turn of the century. The accuracy of forecasting as everyone knows can only be determined for certain after the event has occured. Even so the turn of the century is only a mere 15 years away and considering the time scale to find and exploit new reserves of gas it is by no means an unusual planning time scale for our industry. In the paper the prediction is made that in the Industrial and Commercial sectors, gas will not increase or maintain market penetration at the required levels without innovation. Not only must there be innovation, there must be determination to market the new techniques and equipment which may result. The main area of new thinking must be in the field of energy efficiency and in the second part of the paper the authors look at the likely developments over the next 15-20 years. Energy efficiencies have risen rapidly in the last few years both by improved burner and appliance design. In the latter case the condensing boiler is a recent example. The efficiency of conversion of the energy contained in natural gas to the medium to be heated must be an area of continuing research. Some of the likely avenues of this research and the possible results are discussed.