
704 Principles of Sustainable Energy Systems
© 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
13.1.6 Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is dened as energy and resource demand reduction without affecting
the essential activities, goods, or services. Figure 13.7 illustrates the meaning of adaptive
capacity and the different ways that demand declines with increasing pressure for change.
Adaptive capacity of a system can be measured by various means including auditing, sur-
veys, and modeling. A particular system has a threshold for demand reduction without
impacting standard of living. For example, natural gas for heating may have adaptive
capacity of 100% in ...