Energy efficiency obstacles

C. Topp, and P. Heiselberg, Obstacles—an energy-efficient method to reduce downdraught from glazed surfaces, in Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Air Distribution in Spaces, Spacevent 96 Yokohama, japan 1996. 

The low rate of 1 % annual energy-efficiency improvement over the last 35 years raises more questions. What are the major obstacles and market imperfections that have to be addressed by policy measures in order to speed up the realisation of energy and material efficiency potentials Since obstacles and market imperfections have been the object of study for a long time (IPCC, 2001), are there any additional concepts of motivation or opportunities which have not yet been applied but which are likely to speed up activities and markets for realising energy efficiency options ... 

Membrane systems for the separation of gases are attractive because of both the low capital and operation costs, along with the low energy requirements. Unfortunately, the high performance selective membranes required for most applications do not yet exist The major obstacle to be overcome is the development of membranes which simultaneously have the high selectivities and fluxes requned for energy efficient operation. 

PEFCs are an attractive alternative power source for mobile and stationary applications characterized by low emissions, good energy conversion efficiency and high power density. One of the main obstacles towards the commercialization of this technology is the high cost of component materials (catalyst, membrane, etc.) [160-162]. 

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