Conservation of Energy is a law all of the time provided that we assume that time is restricted to a forward arrow. For, if time should ever get a chance to reverse itself, then Conservation is no longer applicable; it is voided for non-relevance. It’s a question of jurisdiction wherein the domain of Conservation only applies to entropic processes. And entropic processes always move forwards in time – never backward. The backward direction for the dynamics of change is the domain of negentropic time and the synchronizing influence of near starvation of energetic inputs (inducing deep rest).
It is true that entropy dominates the universe. For if it did not, then Nature would be saddled with dispensing so many handouts that it would be doubtful that Nature could maintain itself. Plus, Her creatures would take life so much for granted that none of Her creatures would ever learn how to evolve if everything were readily available in complete abundance. So, a little incentive is required to maintain our motivation to improve ourselves. But not so restricted lest we revert into a kingdom of serfs and slaves completely dominated by a duty to serve a corporate mindlessness.
Please see my posts at Substack, Is Free Energy for Real?
And my older posts at Quora under the authorship of, Vin Yasi.