The Role of Energy Quality in Shaping Long-Term Energy Intensity in Europe
Author
Summary, in English
On the European aggregate level there is an inverted-U curve for long-term energy intensity. In the 19th century aggregate European energy intensity rose, followed by a declining trend during the 20th century. This article discusses the possible explanations for the declining trend during the 20th century and explores the role of energy quality as expressed in energy prices. For the first time a complete set of national energy retail prices covering two centuries has been constructed and used for Britain, while the energy price data previously available for Sweden until 2000 has been updated to 2009. This allows us to explore the role of energy quality in shaping long-term energy intensity. We find no relation between energy quality and energy intensity in the 19th century, while energy quality may have stimulated the declining energy intensity in Europe over the
20th century, but is not the sole or even main reason for the decline. Rather, increased economic efficiency in the use of energy services seems to have been the main driver for the decline after 1970, presumably driven by the information and communication technology.
20th century, but is not the sole or even main reason for the decline. Rather, increased economic efficiency in the use of energy services seems to have been the main driver for the decline after 1970, presumably driven by the information and communication technology.
Publishing year
2015
Language
English
Pages
133-153
Publication/Series
Energies
Volume
8
Issue
1
Full text
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
MDPI AG
Topic
- Economic History
Keywords
- Sweden
- England
- Europe
- energy intensity
- energy prices
- energy quality
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1996-1073