Smart Energy: The Cure For Chaos?

This article is part of a series of quarterly guest columns by Rick Cory, Applications Engineering Manager, Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Consumers' demand for and use of electrical energy is very nearly chaotic anarchy. If we had an infinite supply of accessible energy, this would present no significant problems, but we all know that the present sources of electrical energy, especially those based upon petroleum and other fossil fuels, are finite.

The world's population is growing (it has nearly tripled in my lifetime!) and the standards of living in the two most populous countries in the world — China and India, who account for roughly 36% of the world population — are rapidly advancing. It is increasingly important to effectively and efficiently apply the energy resources that are available to the consequent increasing demand. We all want to use electricity to light our homes, schools, and businesses; to condition the air in these premises to keep us comfortable; to keep our food safer through refrigeration; and more.

Consider how much energy we use for entertainment. How many of us have as many televisions in our homes as people who live there, a cell phone (or two) that needs regular recharging, personal computers, video games, etc.? How many of us always leave several "wall wart" charger units plugged in, whether they are being used to charge a device or not? The presence of electrical apparati in our lives is growing at a remarkable rate.

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