The number of connected appliances, devices and sensors globally is expected to reach 9 billion in 2021, after showing growth of on average 33% per year since 2010, according to the IEA’s November energy efficiency report.
According to the report the number of smart appliances is expected to double between 2020-2021 and the number of smart lighting devices is approaching 1 billion. Improved measurement and enhanced control will allow grids to match demand to times when renewable resources such as solar and wind are most available, according to the report.
Efficiency programs in electrical appliances in the US have saved the equivalent of 15% of total electricity production per year in 2018, according to the report.
Nonetheless the report that energy efficiency trends are still lagging for net zero emissions by 2050. According to the report energy intensity improvement was 1.3% over the last five years, well below the 4.3% rise required between 2020 and 2030 in order to reach the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 scenario. According to the IEA energy demand is expected to increase by 4% worldwide in 2021 after a 4% decline in 2020.
