The Economist's article on "Invisible Fuel" provides an interesting story touches on common sense story but reminds the readers of the importance of energy saving and conservation. As it phrases "The biggest innovation in energy is to go without". This point is very crucial in that the arguments are not being presented as a defense to conserve diminishing energies but as proactive measures amidst ever increasing energy affordability thanks to availability of various renewables.

This article not only proposes constructive ideas but also provides logical background on how those arguments can be backed up by sciences and technological developments. As we all know, technological progress bodes well for the future of energy efficiency, evidenced by mass excavation of shale gas in the US, which even has impacted the global oil prices.

Higher capacity for energy generation, storage, distribution and financing mechanism will contribute to expanding available energy resources as well as enhancing energy efficiency by requiring less amount of energies in producing the same amount of goods and services as before. Solar is a case in point. As the article emphasizes, solar energy can be gathered ?not just on rooftops in direct sunlight, but from any surface in daytime. That shapes the future investment climate.? This means the price of solar energy will continue to fall in the future.

Advancement of energy technologies such as smart grid and lithium battery will not only improve energy efficiency but significantly reduce adverse impacts of energy consumption on environment. In this regard, energy efficiency is not solely a matter of economic efficiency but should be viewed as an essential element of human efforts in reducing human foot prints and preserving the earth and environment. Investment in this area may not be seen as profitable from short term perspectives, but it could be more than rewarding when we consider both long-term economic returns as well as invisible returns coming from the environmental protection and preservation.