Soft energy technologies may be seen as ''appropriate'' renewable technologies.
[The soft energy path](_blank)
Soft energy technologies are not simply renewable energy technologies, as there are many
renewable energy
Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...
technologies which are not regarded as "soft".
The character string including "Soft Energy" is a registered trademark of Soft Energy Controls Inc. in Japan (JP (Japan), 28.12.2018, 6110341.).
Definition
More specifically, soft energy technologies have five defining characteristics.
[Lovins, 1977, pp.38-39] They rely on
renewable energy
Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...
resources, are diverse and designed for maximum effectiveness in particular circumstances, are flexible and relatively simple to understand, are matched to end-use needs in terms of scale, and are matched to end-use needs in terms of quality. An energy technology must satisfy all five of these criteria to be soft.
[
Residential ]solar energy
Solar energy is the radiant energy from the Sun's sunlight, light and heat, which can be harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating) and solar architecture. It is a ...
technologies are prime examples of soft energy technologies and rapid deployment of simple, energy conserving, residential solar energy technologies is fundamental to a soft energy strategy. ''Active'' residential solar technologies use special devices to collect and convert the sun's rays to useful energy and are located near the users they supply. ''Passive'' residential solar technologies involve the natural transfer (by radiation, convection and conduction) of solar energy without the use of mechanical (active) devices.
Sociological definition
The term ''soft'' is not meant to be vague, speculative, or ephemeral, but rather sustainable, flexible, resilient, and benign. Soft technology impacts are generally seen to be more "gentle, pleasant and manageable" than high technology impacts. These impacts range from the individual and household level to those affecting the very fabric of society at the national and international level. More specifically, favourable socio-political impacts include:[Morrison & Lodwick, 1981]
* reduction in social conflicts and inequalities;
* reduction in population concentration;
* increase in employment, especially for the lower social classes;
* increase in the satisfaction of basic human needs;
* increase in consumer self-sufficiency; and
* increase in social participation and democratic processes.
The use of soft energy technologies, in conjunction with energy efficiency, and the transitional use of fossil fuel
A fossil fuel is a flammable carbon compound- or hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the Earth's crust from the buried remains of prehistoric organisms (animals, plants or microplanktons), a process that occurs within geolog ...
technology, comprise the soft energy path
In 1976, energy policy analyst Amory Lovins coined the term soft energy path to describe an alternative future where energy efficiency and appropriate renewable energy sources steadily replace a centralized energy system based on fossil and nucl ...
.
Traditional technologies
* Badgirs or Windcatcher
* Ksars
* Jaali
* Patio
A patio (, ; ) is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a structure and is typically paved. In Australia, the term is expanded to include roofed structures such as a veranda, which provides protection from sun ...
* Riad
See also
* Community wind energy
* Energy conservation
Energy conservation is the effort to reduce wasteful energy consumption by using fewer energy services. This can be done by using energy more effectively (using less and better sources of energy for continuous service) or changing one's behavi ...
* Renewable energy
Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...
* Renewable energy commercialization
Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include ...
* Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, or energy efficiency, is the process of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. There are many technologies and methods available that are more energy efficient than conventional systems. For ...
References
Bibliography
*Lovins, Amory B., (1977). ''Soft Energy Paths: Toward a Durable Peace'', Penguin Books.
*Morrison, D.E., and Lodwick D.G. (1981). "The social impacts of soft and hard energy systems", ''Annual Review of Energy,'' 6, 357–378.
External links
Amory Lovins on the Soft Energy PathAmerican energy: The renewable path to energy security
* ttps://newenergytraining.com.au/ Renewable Energy Courses
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soft Energy Technology
Appropriate technology
Renewable energy technology
Sustainable technologies
Technology in society