You can save a bit of energy by putting the pot on a hob region that's not larger than the pot, with the added bonuses of a drop getting out not immediately baking onto it and the handles becoming less hot.
No, that's a normal electric stove. That red is the heating element, under the glass cooktop. Some electric stoves have exposed heating elements, I think, but I've only used ones that look exactly like the picture.
If you're ever in the market for a new stove, induction is the way to go. A pot of cold water brought to a boil in minutes. Immediate temperature changes. And best of all, they don't make the kitchen hot the way other stoves do.