2000-watt society

The 2000 Watt Society is an energy policy model, which was developed as part of Novatlantis program at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETHZ). According to this vision, the energy requirement of each Earth resident should correspond to an average power of 2000 watts.

Model

The above-mentioned 2000 watts (2 kilojoules per second ) correspond to the level of 1990, with a global annual consumption of 17,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) per person. If the model is calculated further into detail, this means: 2000 joules per second, or 48 kilowatt hours per day or 17,500 kilowatt hours per year and a fuel consumption of around 1700 liters of heating oil or gasoline per person per year.

Projects such as Minergie P or passive house pursue the goal of a 2000-watt society. In fact, the average energy requirement is the world currently (2006) at the level of 2000 watts. However, the differences between countries are enormous: While there are a few hundred watts in developing countries, industrialized countries have six to seven times higher consumption than the objective of 2000 watts. The sustainable energy consumption model is to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions (mainly carbon dioxide ). According to this model to 500 watts per capita come from fossil fuels, and additional 1500 watts per capita of renewable energy.

The feasibility of the 2000- watt society is provided by certain professionals with regard to embodied energy in imported goods and on rebound effects in question. Possible alternative would be the approach of a larger energy requirements than the 2000 watt model and provides a deployment of larger quantities from renewable sources. Where the future the relationship between energy efficiency (energy saving) and also produced renewable energy ( sustainability) is largely determined by the market.

Switzerland

The Switzerland currently has a value of continuous output of about 5000-6000 watts per resident. One must go back to 1960 to determine a consumption of 2000 watts. According to the specialists of the ETHZ, it is possible to return the medium with no loss of comfort to this value. This will be achieved primarily by increasing the efficiency of buildings, appliances and vehicles, but also by developing new technologies. However, there are impulses from the policies necessary to initiate such a development. This is also the calculation models for energy availability Zurich Zurich in 2035 and 2050.

In the referendum of 30 November 2008, the voters of the city of Zurich have decided to amend the Municipal Code, which has the implementation of the 2000- watt society to the destination.

Germany

For Germany, the environmental umbrella organization DNR has submitted a six-point plan for the conversion of the energy system with the aim of a 2000-Watt Society in May 2011.

In April 2011, the city Radolfzell decided to aim for a 2000-watt society by 2050.