Nothing works without energy. Our needs and demands concerning energy use are various. We need energy in order to meet our mobility demands, to keep it warm and bright, to prepare food and beverages, to render services and to manufacture products. The amount of energy we use for different purposes depends on the intelligence and efficiency of the use of energy. Furthermore, it depends on the existing infrastructure, the market conditions and the political-administrative framework. In addition, demands concerning care economy and requirements regarding flexibilisation have an impact on the energy we use. Energy savings resp. an increase in energy efficiency can be achieved at different sections of the supply and demand chain:

• in energy supply: renewables, combined heat (cold) and power production, efficient power plants. These are the topics that Research Group 1 deals with at the Wuppertal Institute;
• in energy transmission and distribution, e.g., by using energy-efficient transformers, reducing or - in heat grids - insulating lines and system optimisation;
• on the energy demand side by intelligent use of energy without reducing the level of comfort (energy savings by increased energy end-use efficiency), by substituting an energy carrier by one that uses less primary energy (energy savings by substitution), or by not using a certain energy consuming product or service (energy savings exceeding an increase in energy efficiency).

In all these areas, there are major potentials for innovation and market opportunities. Realisation can be fostered by adequate policies and measures. The research questions that the Wuppertal Institute is dealing with regarding to energy efficiency as well as information about the Wuppertal Institute's research on energy efficiency policy in newly industrialising and developing countries can be found at this website.