Efikiente

Efikiente is a term used to describe a holistic framework for increasing efficiency across systems by integrating energy, materials, information, and human factors. It aims to maximize value while minimizing waste through cross-disciplinary optimization of products, services, and infrastructures.

Origin and scope: The term was coined in the early 2020s by a cross-disciplinary team of researchers and practitioners seeking to unify efficiency with sustainability. The name blends the idea of efficiency with a technical suffix to signal a comprehensive, system-wide approach.

Principles: Efikiente rests on lifecycle thinking, modularity, data-driven decision making, and resilience. It emphasizes reducing environmental impact while maintaining social value, improving reliability, and enabling adaptability to changing conditions.

Applications: The framework is used in urban planning, product design, software architecture, and industrial processes. It guides the design of energy networks, circular economy initiatives, and service models that deliver more with less input.

Measurement: Evaluation relies on indicators such as energy intensity per service unit, material throughput, circularity metrics, and user or stakeholder satisfaction. Challenges include data availability, context dependence, and aligning technical efficiency with broader societal goals.

Reception and critique: Efikiente has been cited in academic and industry discussions as a unifying concept, but critics warn that the term can be vague or overlap with established concepts like efficiency, sustainability, and the circular economy. Its value often depends on governance and implementation.