“A coordinated, global taskforce for the entire energy chain is urgently needed, and in it, the IEC can leverage its access to close to 10 000 experts and 162 participating countries. Together with our partners we can ensure that every technology-based energy efficiency initiative has a solid technical foundation and demonstrates a smarter use of energy,” said Regis.

The white paper focuses on the potential for 'smart electrification' to help meet the challenge of a growing global population, diminishing natural energy supplies and the need to reduce carbon emission levels.

Proposing that electric energy is the most versatile and controllable form of energy, the easiest and most efficient to distribute, with little wastage and the potential to be produced cleanly, the white paper explores what must be done to achieve the highest levels of energy efficiency. Through its assessment of the entire energy chain – from generation to distribution, consumption and storage – the IEC uses a projection model to identify future standardization needs over the next 20 years.

It calls for greater efficiency in how raw energy is used. The smarter use of electric energy, what the IEC calls “smart electrification”, can reduce emissions by using energy more efficiently through a system wide approach. It is anticipated that the energy saved can help drive economies everywhere and provide more power to the energy poor.