The session on energy efficiency had no formal presentations and was organized as a panel discussion with four panelists. It was concluded that energy efficiency and short-term savings are the most effective way of contributing to a sustainable energy system. Measures to improve and promote energy efficiency should be implemented at all levels; Municipal / local, national and super-national. Prices can be an effective tool, but they should be combined with system-level measures. The transport sector was identified as having the greatest potential near future to increase energy efficiency. Agriculture and food are also an area with high energy consumption and great potential to increase energy efficiency. The problem of the world's population is another relevant, challenging and complex issue. It was noted that energy audits for end-users in business and in society raise awareness and understanding of what they pay, and are likely to promote actions to save energy. Many measures are believed to suffer from the Jevin paradox, meaning that more efficient use of energy only leads to more energy consumption elsewhere. There were many examples, however, where this does not happen. Another point is that measures to make the energy system more efficient not only mean restrictions and regulations, but also create great opportunities for market players and societies.
An energy audit is an inspection, a survey and an analysis of the energy flows, for the conservation of energy in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy entering the system without adversely affecting the output ( S). In commercial and industrial real estate, an energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints.
When the object of study is a busy building, then reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize energy uses in line with the most cost-effective energy-saving opportunities.