Saving energy? We need everyone to be doing that!
Energy seems to be one of the most talked about issue in town recently. I think I might as well have a bit of a rant myself here too.
I thought environmental issues are getting people to rethink about energy consumption and all. Wireless sensor motes are leading on that front too to a certain extent, although it is more to do with their own longevity than about the environment, directly, as researchers seem to be coming up with many innovative ways of reducing power consumption on electronic devices. As mentioned in my previous post, countries/governments are even thinking about installing smart sensors/meters to help save some household energy consumption. People’s awareness on such issues are probably at their highest level since mankind exists. All seem very well, until I read this news about “a system that can deliver power to devices without the need for wires” today. I think it is a big slap on the face for many who are trying to educate people to reduce energy consumption, hence the carbon footprint as well, at least for now as fossil fuels are still our main source of primary energy. And I myself thought that innovative technologies coming out from high-tech companies nowadays will at least try to be as green as possible. It feels a bit like for convenience sake we do not mind doing a bit more harm to the environment. Yeah, just the right technology for us at a time when what we want is to cut down our energy consumption isn’t it? Surely transmission of power over the air is going to consume more energy than via wireline?! Why bother saving that 2-3% of energy through smart meters/sensors at home when all we seem to care is convenience, convenience! For too long already we have been emphasising too much on convenience. I’d have thought that there will be a change in priorities now that people are more energy and environmentally aware. And I mean if we really want a real push on cutting down our carbon foot print, the last thing we want is to come up with something that will only encourage more energy usage isn’t it?
Great idea, but I will stick to my wired power system even when the wireless version is cheap and affordable to me.
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