Energy intensities in OECD countries: an historical analysis. (4th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schipper, Lee; Meyers, Stephen; Howarth, Richard
• Is Part Of: International journal of global energy issues. Volume 5:Number 2-4(1993)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2014-08-04
• Subjects: energy consumption -- energy efficiency -- energy intensity -- OECD countries; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-7118

Abstract

We discuss the evolution of energy intensities between the early 1970s and the late 1980s in nine DECD countries. Our analysis relies on detailed national–level data that we compiled over the past decade rather than published data from international sources it focuses on key sectors or subsectors in each country: manufacturing, transportation (automobile, air, and freight trucking), residential (space heating and other end uses), and the service sector. Intensity changes varied among the sectors and countries, but common trends are visible in many cases. In most cases, the intensity decline slowed or ceased in the mid–1980s. We discuss the causes for the changes observed in each area, showing how energy–price changes were but one of many factors that played a role. Weighting the changes in intensities by 1973 energy use patterns, we find that the aggregate energy intensity index fell by 14–19 per cent between 1973 and 1988 in the US, Japan, and West Germany.