Way back in 1784, Benjamin Franklin proposed one of the earliest hacks to save energy: altering sleep schedules to conserve candles.
Although he was speaking in jest, the idea took hold over a century later and, in 1916 during World War I, Germany and Austria-Hungary became the first countries to test Daylight Saving Time (DST) to conserve fuel and energy for the war effort.
The idea was to maximise the use of daylight hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting and so conserving vital energy resources during a time of scarcity.
Daylight Saving has since evolved, and today, it serves as a beacon for energy conservation and optimal utilisation of daylight in many countries.
The only difference between today and 1784 is that energy is no longer scarce. We have heaps of it to keep the lights on all day, but just because we’re not scrimping on candles anymore doesn’t mean we should be burning them at both ends, either.
Daylight saving as a form of energy flexibility
Daylight Saving Time’s way of adjusting our schedules to soak up more sunlight is a prime example of energy flexibility in action.
By shifting our clocks to add more daylight to our evenings, we tap into the nascent concept of altering energy consumption patterns. This is a crucial component of today’s transition to variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
Just as we must adjust our behaviours and sleep schedules to DST, becoming energy flexible requires a mindset and habit shift. The incentive? Lower energy bills and fewer carbon emissions).
‘By shifting our clocks to add more daylight to our evenings, we tap into the nascent concept of altering energy consumption patterns.’
Leveraging DST for energy savings and emissions reductions
You can harness the principles of DST to embrace energy flexibility and contribute to the renewable energy transition.
Here are some ways to make the most of the extended daylight hours:
- Check your tariff: Ideally, daytime tariffs should be the cheapest time to use electricity, because it’s the cheapest time for your retailer to buy it. If your daytime price is high, change your plan to one that rewards you for using energy when it’s cheap and clean.
- Tweak those timers: Don’t forget, your timers won’t know it’s DST, so give them a quick adjust.
- Check out EnergyFlex: EnergyFlex helps align your energy habits with renewable energy availability. It’s free to use and can be set up in under five minutes.
The transition to renewables necessitates a reimagining of our energy consumption patterns. Embracing energy flexibility can empower you to contribute to a sustainable energy future.
By adjusting your energy consumption habits and optimising the use of renewable energy, you can fast-track the energy transition, paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and carbon-neutral future.
* In Australia, DST is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and Norfolk Island. It is not observed in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Christmas Island, or the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
