OUR TECHNOLOGY

The Science Behind Our Energy & Resource Analytics

Energy Points’ methodology is based on three principles: 1) resources such as electricity, water, fuels, and materials can be measured as energy; 2) these resources must be analyzed across their entire life cycle; and 3) energy & resource analysis should incorporate environmental externalities.

Only with these three principles combined are we able to provide accurate and actionable insight.

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Energy is a unifying metric

Using energy as a unifying metric is based on two energy concepts: “site energy” and “embodied energy.” Site energy is energy that is being consumed and is measured in kWh (electricity) or mmBTU (heat). Embodied energy is the sum of all the energy required to produce a good or service. Our integrated energy metric combines these two concepts so that we can analyze the full life cycle of electricity, water, fuels, and materials and quantify them in terms of energy.

Measure the life cycle of energy & resources

Our methodology measures the life cycle of energy & resources. Electricity may include renewable (solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, etc.) and/or non-renewable (fossil fuels) energy. Water can originate from ground or surface water reservoir or desalinated. And waste must be properly treated and disposed of to avoid pollution. These different sources vary in terms of energy productivity, resource risk, and environmental impact and need to be quantified in a holistic way.

Mitigate environmental externalities

Converting natural resources into electricity or heat, treating drinking water and wastewater, and processing materials waste involves processes that impact the environment. Enterprises recognize the critical role that the environment plays in the uninterrupted growth of their business—whether they are directly dependent on natural resource security or sensitive to climate change risks. Energy Points’ methodology measures environmental externalities and calculates the energy it takes to mitigate them. For example, it quantifies the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that result from turning coal and natural gas into electricity and then calculates the energy it would take to mitigate those emissions through carbon capture and sequestration. Water scarcity and contamination are quantified as the energy that is required to durably supply water to that area. And in the case of solar or wind energy, Energy Points incorporates the life cycle impact of manufacturing and shipping the panels. This approach places energy sources and other processes on an equal footing; nuclear, coal, solar, hydro, natural gas can be directly compared for all of their life cycle impacts.

Scientific References

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