World Energy Conservation Day raises awareness of energy consumption and its impact on the sustainability of global ecosystems.  

Over the last few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced many changes to the way we live and work in Australia, including the ways in which we consume and conserve energy: the largest reduction in energy usage was in the transport sector, while residential energy increased due to more people working and staying at home (Australian Energy Statistics 2021 Energy Update Report). 

 

The drop in energy consumption in 2019–20 was 182 petajoules: the same amount of energy from filling a 55-litre tank of petrol 97 million times.

Source: Australian Energy Statistics 2021 Energy Update Report 

 

Although our habits and lifestyles have changed, there are still many ways that individuals and households can conserve energy. Here are a few tips from Energy Made Easy: 

  • In summer, keep cool by closing windows, doors, curtains and blinds. 
  • In summer, try to use fans instead of air conditioners, and if you use your air conditioner, set it to 26 degrees. 
  • Switch off appliances at the wall—some appliances keep using energy if you don’t do this. 
  • Check that the fridge seals keep the doors firmly closed. 
  • Use cold water for washing. If you prefer to use hot water, set it to 60 degrees. 

For more advice on energy conservation, visit these websites: 

Renewable energy and improvements upon energy storage and conservation are priorities for Griffith, which is reflected in our teaching programs and research centres. You can learn more at our Affordable and clean energy webpage.  

If you’d like a snapshot of how researchers are investigating multiple avenues of energy efficiency, you can also take a look at the open access research available via Griffith Research Online: