Integrated Efficiency

Efficiency can be point efficiency vs integrated efficiency. Point efficiency is efficiency only considering one variable or factor. Integrated efficiency involves considering multiple factors for a more balanced view. Other technical factors, as well as social and environmental factors - may be considered for a more balanced view.

For example, higher fuel efficiency of an engine may be an example of point efficiency, but integrated efficiency is broader. For example, OSE's engine strategy may be less fuel efficient, but more cost effective by 1000x due to multipurpose functionality via modularity (10x), and 10x via lifetime design (lower cost to maintain, by a factor of 10), and another 10x by open source automation - meaning the cost of doing a task is reduced by 10x. The subtleties of true efficiency measurements revolve around how efficiency is defined.

Taking it Further

For example, a maintainable internal combustion engine may be 20% round trip efficient compared to a fuel cell (50% [1]. However, Toyota recently developed a 38% efficient IC gas engine [2]. However, if the ICE is designed for a lifetime, then it can last many more hours. Thus, if we consider developments and lifetime, the sole consideration of point efficiency may not be as importantu. For certain, if low cost solar hydrogen is available, the fuel becomes a non-scarce good, and the point efficiency of fuel usage becomes less important. Or, if you consider that solar hydrogen ICE entperprise can be distributed widely, while fuel cells require scarce materials. Point: when you consider multiple factors, point efficiency begins to lose its overall attractiveness. However, simplistic thinking about one thing at a time is easier, so it takes more mental energy to appreciate integrated efficiency.