In the United States, oil, natural gas and coal are the primary fuels utilized for the production of electrical energy, industrialization, development, and human comfort. Since the increased cost of energy resulting from the 1973 oil embargo, energy consumers have become more aware of the vulnerability of society to energy shortages, the environmental impact of inefficient processes, and the need to reduce the ratio of energy consumption to the gross national product. The following review examines how the superior heat transfer characteristics of heat pipes and heat pipe augmented systems can be used to increase the efficiency of various energy processes and as a result increase cost effectiveness. Also included is a discussion of low heat pipes can be used in solar energy applications and non ozone-reducing cooling technologies.