I find myself needing to right about negawatts and megawatts, just to push the point that there is little utility in generating renewable megawatts if the efficiency negawatts have not been harvested. I'm reminded of the gluttony in Super Size Me - if one continues to gorge on unhealthy food, but occasionally consumes apple wedges or the lettuce based 'salad', can you really champion those habits as if he/she is making a difference in their overall health? I think not. So why do we feel that generating our ever increasing energy needs from renewables will save the environment.. or save us from rapid and intermittent climate change? It won't.
The value in renewable energy is awareness and proof. Everyone can get excited about it and energy becomes front of mind. Capital can get excited about it and that creates prof in projects. Entrepreneurs can get excited and that creates jobs and buoyancy for an industry. And policy makers can get excited about it (if our Representatives would get off their silly stumps). So although leading with the megawatt RE before cleaning up with the negawatt EE doesn't make sense... maybe it does! Its all a game of psychology isn't it.
However, we can't negate the point that the quickest energy path forward is by far and away through energy efficiency. We could achieve a 30% reduction in our energy needs in the next 20years. It will take twice that long with renewables. But with both, we can offset half of today's consumption of fossil fuel in just 20 years!
