Electrocity
A Tale of Two Cities: EnergyVille vs. ElectroCity
09/10/07 09:38
Chevron's
new
EnergyVille
online game about how to power a city is a clever
marketing ploy. As Chevron self-interestedly points
out, it wants to help meet "the growing worldwide
[energy] demand" The game allows players to choose
from a variety of conventional and alternative energy
sources. But they estimate the potential for energy
saving technology such as insulation, efficient
lighting, more efficient air conditioning is just 7%
(they estimate at high costs) vs. up to 40% at a cost
savings in reality.
We disagree with Chevron's supply-focused approach.
As McKinsey’s energy supply-curve work points out, all energy conservation technologies reduce industry and consumer costs (positive ROI), whereas all but one alternative energy source cost more than current energy sources. Further, there is no shortage of energy conserving technologies, they are quick to deploy, their costs are falling not rising, carbon emissions are immediately reduced, and the results are sustainable.
New Zealand's Genesis Energy ElectroCity is a better & more realistic game, allowing trade-off of energy conservation, power sources, farms, industries, airports, forests & parks while juggling energy supply and the environment. You can even prospect for, develop, buy and sell energy resources like coal and gas. We have been playing it for hours...
We disagree with Chevron's supply-focused approach.
As McKinsey’s energy supply-curve work points out, all energy conservation technologies reduce industry and consumer costs (positive ROI), whereas all but one alternative energy source cost more than current energy sources. Further, there is no shortage of energy conserving technologies, they are quick to deploy, their costs are falling not rising, carbon emissions are immediately reduced, and the results are sustainable.
New Zealand's Genesis Energy ElectroCity is a better & more realistic game, allowing trade-off of energy conservation, power sources, farms, industries, airports, forests & parks while juggling energy supply and the environment. You can even prospect for, develop, buy and sell energy resources like coal and gas. We have been playing it for hours...
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