In 1976, energy policy analyst Amory Lovins introduced the term "soft energy path" to describe a different future where energy efficiency and suitable renewable energy sources gradually take the place of a system that relies on fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Background

Amory Lovins became well-known in 1976 after publishing an article in Foreign Affairs titled "Energy Strategy: The Road Not Taken?" In the article, Lovins explained that the United States faced an important decision point and had two possible choices. One path, supported by U.S. policies at the time, involved continued use of polluting fossil fuels and nuclear fission, which carried significant environmental risks. The other path, which Lovins called "the soft path," focused on using safe, renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar power, along with greater efforts to conserve energy and improve energy efficiency. In October 1977, The Atlantic magazine published a cover story about Lovins's ideas.

Soft vs hard

Lovins saw the energy problem not as a lack of enough oil and other traditional energy sources, but as a problem of using energy inefficiently and not developing enough renewable energy sources. Lovins said that making traditional energy was both very energy-heavy and caused a lot of pollution. By changing how the energy problem was understood, "environmentalists criticized plans for large energy projects, especially those that relied heavily on nuclear power."

The "soft energy path" believes that energy is a way to achieve social goals, not the main goal itself. Soft energy paths focus on using energy efficiently, using a variety of energy production methods that match the needs of different uses, and using co-generation and "soft energy technologies" such as solar energy, wind energy, biofuels, geothermal energy, wave power, tidal power, and others.

Lovins explained that the biggest difference between the soft and hard paths—the key way they are different—is how they affect society. Both paths require changes in society, "but the changes needed for a hard path are likely to be less pleasant, less likely to work, less friendly to social diversity and freedom of choice, and less in line with traditional values than the changes that could make a soft path successful."

Soft energy technologies

Soft energy technologies, also called appropriate renewables, have five main features. First, they use energy from natural sources that will not run out. Second, they are different types of technologies that work best in specific situations. Third, they are easy to understand and can be changed as needed. Fourth, they are the right size to meet the needs of people using them. Fifth, they provide the right kind of energy quality to meet those same needs.

Examples of soft energy technologies include residential solar energy systems. Using these systems in homes is important for a soft energy plan. Active solar systems use special tools to collect sunlight and change it into usable energy. These tools are placed close to the people who use the energy. Passive solar systems use natural ways, like heat moving through radiation, convection, and conduction, to move solar energy without tools.

Lovins said that following the soft energy path could help reduce international conflicts. This is because Western countries using soft energy might lower tensions. Soft energy effects are generally seen as easier to handle than hard energy effects. These effects can influence people and families, as well as larger groups like countries and the world.

Implementation

Lovins understood that major energy choices are usually made slowly over time, and that large changes can take many years. A key part of the soft energy strategy is to avoid making big investments in systems that are difficult to change and keep us tied to certain energy sources for a long time.

The following steps toward a soft energy path have been suggested:

• Improve oil use efficiency by about two times, mostly through better vehicle designs (such as developing more efficient hybrid cars, vehicles with very light designs, and larger transport vehicles that are shaped to reduce air resistance).
• Use innovative business plans that focus on advanced technologies and lightweight materials.
• Replace 25% of U.S. oil needs with biofuels produced domestically, which could help boost the economy in rural areas that provide materials for biofuels.
• Make natural gas more available and less expensive by using proven efficiency methods that are already known.

Lovins argues that the challenges to soft energy paths are not technical or related to money in a basic way. He explains that the main challenges are related to systems and organizations, such as outdated building rules, a construction industry that resists new ideas, electricity pricing plans that do not encourage efficiency, poor tax and home loan policies, limited access to financial markets, and unclear responsibilities among government groups.

Lovins wrote in 1977 that "a mostly or completely solar-powered economy can be created in the United States using simple soft technologies that are already proven and either cost-effective or nearly cost-effective."

Film

"Love on the Soft Path" is a documentary film created by Amory and Hunter Lovins. The film won several awards, such as Best Science and Technology Film at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 1983; Blue Ribbon at the American Film Festival in 1982; Best of the Festival at the Environmental Education Film Festival in 1982; Best Energy Film at the International Environmental Film Festival in 1982; and Chris Bronze Plaque at the Columbus International Film Festival in 1982.