Soft energy technology

Soft energy technologies are not simply renewable energy technologies, as there are many renewable energy technologies which are not regarded as "soft". Soft energy technologies may be seen as appropriate renewable technologies. [1]

More specifically, soft energy technologies have five defining characteristics (Lovins, 1977, pp.38-39). They rely on renewable energy resources, are diverse and designed for maximum effectiveness in particular cirumstances, 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 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 (passive house) involve the natural transfer (by radiation, convection and conduction) of solar energy without the use of mechanical devices.

The term soft is not meant to be vague, speculative, or ephemeral, but rather sustainable, flexible, resilient, and benign (see Lovins, 1977, p.38). 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 (see Lovins, 1977).

The use of soft energy technologies, in conjunction with energy efficiency, and the transitional use of fossil fuel technology, go to comprise the soft energy path.[2]

Bibliography

Amory B. Lovins, Soft Energy Paths: Toward a Durable Peace, Penguin Books, 1977.

Links

• Amory Lovins on the Soft Energy Path