Capita Energy Use Research Articles

Assessment of Energy Use and Photovoltaic Energy Potential in Saudi Arabian Governmental Schools

Adopting photovoltaic (PV) systems in government schools across Saudi Arabia presents an opportunity to reduce energy costs and contribute to the country’s RE goals. In this paper, the energy consumption and energy consumption indicators of 3 schools in Qassim region (the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) were determined. The integration of PV systems into the buildings of these schools was also studied to achieve zero energy and zero bills along the system’s life cycle. The analysis considered the effects of temperature and other factors on PV system output and a projected 1% annual increase in school load. Energy use intensity ranged from 22 to 48 kWh per square meter, while per capita energy use varied between 337 and 630 kWh. Values for end-use of electricity of 80%, 11%, and 9% were obtained for air conditioning, lighting, and others, respectively. The results note that the zero-energy scenario’s technical, economic, and environmental indicators are appropriate. The indicators in the zero-billing case were similar to the energy-zero scenario except for the payback period, which was longer and, in some cases, not economically feasible. The results show that economic evaluation must be revisited by reviewing the tariff value for selling surplus energy to the distribution network. The study also recommends scaling this model to other educational institutions, contributing to sustainable energy transitions in Saudi Arabia.

Carbon, Capital, and the Climate: The Economic Puzzle of CO₂ Emissions in South Asia

The rapid rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is a major contributor to global warming, making it crucial to understand the key drivers, especially in vulnerable regions like South Asia. This study analyzes the determinants of CO2 emissions in South Asia from 2000 to 2021 using Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) modeling, multiple linear regression, and panel data analysis. Findings indicate that GDP per capita is a primary driver of emissions, while renewable energy helps mitigate carbon emissions. However, the EKC model does not confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship, suggesting South Asia has yet to reach the turning point where economic growth curbs emissions. The findings also suggest that urbanization, industrialization, and per capita energy use contribute to emissions. Panel data analysis, incorporating the Paris Agreement as a structural break, reveals its limited impact on reducing emissions in the region, stressing the need for stronger policy enforcement. The study underscores the importance of accelerating renewable energy adoption, promoting sustainable urbanization, and decarbonizing industries to address climate challenges. Policymakers need to enhance regional cooperation and integrate low-carbon strategies to achieve sustainable development while combating climate change in South Asia.

Pengaruh Pendapatan Per Kapita Penggunaan Energi, Keterbukaan Perdagangan dan Kepadatan Penduduk terhadap Degradasi Lingkungan

The study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the effect of per capita income, energy use, trade openness and population density on environmental degradation in BRICS and MINT countries and proving the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The data used is time series data during 2010-2022 and the cross-section consists of nine countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey. Data sources were obtained from the Global Carbon Atlas, World Bank, and Our World In Data using panel data regression analysis techniques. The results showed that per capita income, energy use, trade openness and population density had a positive and significant effect on environmental degradation, and proved the EKC hypothesis in BRICS and MINT countries even though it has not reached a turning point.

The Causal Nexus Among Energy Dependency, Human Capital, and Renewable Energy: An Empirical Analysis for EU Members

Countries have turned to developing renewable energy production, avoiding the risks posed by the disruptions in global energy trade, the high volatility in energy prices, and the remarkable environmental impairment. Numerous economic, environmental, institutional, and social factors have been put forward as driving factors toward renewable energy. The goal of this research article is to study the causal nexus among energy dependency, human capital, real GDP per capita, CO2 emissions, and renewable energy of the 27 EU members between 2000 and 2020 through Emirmahmutoglu and Kose causality test. The results of the panel-level causality tests demonstrate feedback interplay among energy dependency, human capital, real GDP per capita, CO2 emissions, and renewable energy use. However, the results of the country-level causality analysis unveil that the interplay among renewable energy utilization, energy dependency, real GDP per capita, CO2 emissions, and human capital remarkably varies among EU members. The results of this study suggest that renewable energy investments are significant instruments to make progress in energy security, human capital, real GDP per capita, and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, energy security, human capital, real GDP per capita, and CO2 emissions are significant drivers of renewable energy development.

The impact of trade openness, export concentration and economic complexity on energy demand among G7 countries

This research attempts to explore the scale (trade openness), composition (export concentration) and technique effect (economic complexity) of international trade on energy use in the sample of G7 nations over the period 1970 and 2020 separately. To do that, we build up three empirical models based on the regression on population, affluence and technology approach. The analysis outcomes indicated a positive long-run link between per capita income, urbanization, trade openness, export concentration, economic complexity and energy use across the three models. The outcomes obtained from long-run estimations provide evidence that economic complexity and export concentration decreases energy consumption. Besides, empirical findings show that trade openness boosts energy use. Based on the detailed empirical research, the direction for the policy is that they should harness more strength on energy conservation by increasing the composition and technical effects of international trade. They should also focus on improving the countries’ economic freedom (trade openness) while maintaining energy consumption at a lower rate.

Significance of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 on China's energy transition pathway: A multi-model comparison analysis

Significance of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 on China's energy transition pathway: A multi-model comparison analysis

An Overview of the Emerging Automotive Hybrid Technology

Abstract: Environmental degradation is getting worse as per capita energy use rises. It is crucial to reduce the use of traditional fuel-powered engines while utilising innovative alternative energy sources. Pure electric vehicles cannot be mass produced due to the short timeframe and there are several issues, such as inadequate charging infrastructure. As a result, there is a particular time when the development of hybrid electric vehicles is crucial. This essay introduces the classification of hybrid vehicles, their current state of research, and their likely future development tendencies. It helps the general public understand hybrid electric vehicles, which is important theoretically.

Urban Population Growth, Per Capita Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions: Evidence from the World's fifth-most Populous Country

Pakistan is the world’s 5th most populated country. This growing population is causing numerous social and environmental problems. By the increase in population, energy demand is increasing day by day. Pakistan, where majority of the population is living in rural areas is using uncleaned cooking fuel due to which CO2 emission is increasing that is further a cause of environmental degradation. Based on the data (for the period from 1980 to 2019) of World Development Indicators, this study intends to examine the association between urban population, and energy use with CO2 emission. Unit root test was applied to check stationarity of data and after checking the stationarity status of variables, ARDL (Auto regressive distributive lag model) techniques was applied on data. The outcomes of the study showed that trade openness, urbanization, and energy consumption have significant and positive effects on environmental degradation. This study suggest that government must plan population and take steps towards the use of clean cooking fuels to control environmental degradation.

Sustainable growth and green environment? Evidence from nonparametric methods provincial data of China

A sustainable financial and economic system is the need of the hour, especially in the context of a deteriorating environment. Environment quality is very important for healthy labour life, contributing to economic growth more effectively. China is one of the largest economies in the world, which is the residency of 18.47% of total humans on planet earth. Keeping environment is a major policy concern; this study investigates the relationship between environmental quality and economic growth in the presence of human capita and renewable energy use. The study uses the data for the time period of 1995–2017. While conducting nonparametric tests, the study applied QMMR regression approach to hand the issues of cross-sectional heterogeneities and endogeneity simultaneously. The study found that GDP is positively associated with carbon emissions throughout all the quantiles. Foreign trade is showing mixed results, most probably due to changes in trade patterns, and a hidden heterogeneity across provinces in China.

Environmental degradation, energy use, and globalization in Ghana: New empirical evidence from regime switching and neural network autoregression models

This study investigates the nexus between environmental degradation, energy use, and globalization using Markov-switching (MS) models which previous studies on Ghana have not considered. We utilize this method because of its ability to detect possible non-linear relationships. The Neural Network Autoregression (NNAR [p, k]) model is also employed to predict carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions for the country over the next decade. In doing so, secondary time-series data on CO2 releases, per capita gross domestic product (GDP), energy use, and KOF (Konjunkturforschungsstelle) globalization indexes spanning the period 1971–2016 are employed. The results from all three MS estimations show no support for the existence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) in Ghana. The results further demonstrate that energy use and an overall globalization index result in more CO2 emissions causing deterioration of the environment. Economic globalization is also revealed to harm the environment whereas social and political globalization have different effects in different regimes. The forecast results from the NNAR (14, 8) estimation also indicate that Ghana will have an upward trajectory of CO2 discharge for the next decade. The implication of the findings is that there is an urgent need for strengthening and/or revising environmental policies in the country with greater focus on mitigation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol. These measures are likely to curb CO2 emissions as the economy expands. Recommendations and areas for further research to improve the environmental quality in Ghana are also provided for policy consideration.

Implications of shrinking household sizes for meeting the 1.5 °C climate targets

Understanding social trends such as shrinking household sizes plays an important role for designing effective policies to limit global warming to 1.5 °C and reach net-zero by 2050. Prior, cross-sectional work shows that larger households tend to have lower per capita carbon footprints and energy use due to sharing of living space and resources. However, we lack longitudinal studies that examine whether dwindling household sizes globally increase carbon footprints and create additional pressure for mitigation efforts in the future. We use data from 43 countries between 1995 and 2015, representative of 63% of the population and 80% of the carbon footprint globally in 2015. If household sizes had stayed at their 1995-levels, cumulative emissions between 1995 and 2015 would have been about 11.3 GtCO2eq lower. We project per capita total carbon footprints for 2030, showing that more household sharing could make a contribution to curbing emissions. This contribution, along other sustainable degrowth interventions, can produce substantial emission reductions necessary for achieving 1.5 °C compatible reduction targets for 2030. We further quantify some of the key socio-economic influences behind the household dynamics to discuss policy options for increased inter- and intra-household sharing.

Convergence behaviours of energy series and GDP nexus hypothesis: A non-parametric Bayesian application

With the EU Green Deal initiatives, European members seek to launch the first climate neutral continent by 2050. This paper assesses the stochastic convergence of per capita energy consumption series for an illustrative sample of 15 EU countries with memberships prior to the 2004 enlargement, using data spanning the 1970–2018 period. Results from the confidence interval subsampling (asymmetric and equal-tailed) highlight that 11 out of the 15 EU series exhibit a long-run memory behaviour, while a diverging pattern was observed for the UK, Germany, Portugal, and Italy. Finally, per capita energy use series persist but fail to reveal one of the above dynamics for Ireland and Spain. Also, findings from the non-parametric Bayesian application (ANOVA/linear Dependent Dirichlet Process (DDP) mixture model) show how economic growth operates as a converging energy consumption-enabler over the long-run, from which the EU membership cannot be excluded. In particular, we highlight how the nature of energy-GDP hypotheses vary with the stochastic properties of energy use (converging behaviour with temporary shocks, converging pattern with permanent shocks, and diverging dynamic). Finally, our conclusions overcome the well-established development stage argument as we claim that countries with similar energy convergence patterns may need to adopt similar energy policies.

Decarbonization pathways for the residential sector in the United States

Residential GHG emissions in the United States are driven in part by a housing stock where onsite fossil combustion is common, home sizes are large by international standards, energy efficiency potential is large and electricity generation in many regions is GHG intensive. In this analysis, we assess decarbonization pathways for the US residential sector to 2060, through 108 scenarios describing housing stock evolution, new housing characteristics, renovation levels and clean electricity. The lowest emission pathways involve very rapid decarbonization of electricity supply alongside extensive renovations to existing homes, including improving thermal envelopes and heat pump electrification of heating. Reducing the size and increasing the electrification of new homes provide further emission cuts and combining all strategies enables reductions of 91% between 2020 and 2050. The potential of individual mitigation strategies shows great regional variation. Reaching zero emissions will require simultaneous deployment of multiple strategies and greater reduction of embodied emissions. Residential sector decarbonization is an essential part of mitigation, especially in the United States where per capita energy use is high by global standards. This article shows the emission reduction potential from individual and combined strategies applied to existing and new homes and to electricity supply.

Stochastic convergence in per capita energy use in the EU-15 countries. The role of economic growth

Stochastic convergence in per capita energy use in the EU-15 countries. The role of economic growth

Towards a Sustainable China-Africa Forest Products Trade; an Assessment of Environmental Implications for FOCAC Members

Forest products have become an integral component of China-Africa trade engagement. However, with increasingly global climate change warnings and the need to turn down the heat below the pre-industrial level, understanding the trade-off from forest trade in relation to CO2 emissions is paramount in shaping forest product trade sustainability in the long run. This study, therefore, tests the haven and halo hypothesis based on the FMOL technique by analyzing China-FOCAC forest products trade engagements. A balanced panel data of 20 FOCAC members were selected based on availability and consistency from 2000-2014. The variables; forest products trade (exports value), GDP per capita, FDI inflow, institutional quality, energy use and carbon emissions were gleaned from the world bank and the United Nations database. The descriptive statistics results reveal a disparity in economic growth, FDI inflow and value of forest products exports among FOCAC members. Per the FMOL estimation results, the China-FOCAC forest products trade has an insignificant impact on the level of carbon emissions in the selected countries which contributes to the ongoing debate on whether Africa is a pollution haven for China. Nevertheless, Per capita GDP and energy use are significant drivers of emissions whereas FDI’s and the quality of institutions have shown high potential for transforming the quality of the environment in the selected countries. These results are paramount in shaping existing and future forest trade agreements.

A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050?

Our study evaluated the effectiveness of using eight pathways in combination for a complete to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2050. These pathways included renewable energy development; improving energy efficiency; increasing energy conservation; carbon taxes; more equitable balancing of human wellbeing and per capita energy use; cap and trade systems; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and nuclear power development. We used the annual ‘British Petroleum statistical review of world energy 2021’ report as our primary database. Globally, fossil fuels, renewable (primarily hydro, wind and solar), nuclear energy accounted for 83%, 12.6%, and 6.3% of the total energy consumption in 2020. To achieve zero fossil fuel use by 2050, we found that renewable energy production will need to be increased by up to 6-fold or 8-fold if energy demand is held constant at, or increased 50% from, the 2020 energy demand level. Constraining 2050 world energy demand to a 25% increase over the 2020 level, improves the probability of achieving independence from fossil fuels. Improvements in energy efficiency need to accelerate beyond the current rate of ~1.5% per year. Aggressive application of energy conservation policies involving land use and taxation could potentially reduce world energy use by 10% or more by 2050. Our meta-analysis shows that the minimum level of per capita energy consumption that would allow 8 billion people to have a ‘Decent Living Standard’ is on average ~70 GJ per capita per year, which is 93% of the 2020 global average. Developed countries in temperate climates with high vehicle-dependency needed ~120 GJ per capita year−1, whereas equatorial countries with low vehicle-dependency needed 30 GJ per capita year−1. Our meta-analyses indicated replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy by 2050 may be possible but will require aggressive application of all eight pathways, major lifestyle changes in developed countries, and close cooperation among all countries.

Human well‐being and per capita energy use

Abstract Increased wealth and per capita energy use have transformed lives and shaped societies, but energy poverty remains a global challenge. Previous research has shown positive relationships among metrics of health and happiness and economic indices such as income and gross domestic product and between energy use and human development. To our knowledge, however, no comprehensive assessment has examined to what extent energy use may limit national‐level trends in such metrics. We analyze the maximum global performance of nine health, economic, and environmental metrics by country, determining which metrics increase with per capita energy use and which show thresholds or plateaus in maximum performance. Across the dataset, eight of nine metrics, including life expectancy, infant mortality, happiness, food supply, and access to basic sanitation services, improve steeply and then plateau at levels of average primary annual energy consumption between 10 and 75 GJ person−1 computed nationally (five metrics plateau between 10 and 30 GJ person−1). One notable exception is air quality (energy threshold of 125 GJ person−1 across 133 countries). Averaged across metrics, the 10 countries (with at least seven metrics) showing the best performance given their per capita primary energy use are Malta, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Albania, Iceland, Finland, Bangladesh, Norway, Morocco, and Denmark. If distributed equitably, today's average global energy consumption of 79 GJ person−1 could, in principle, allow everyone on Earth to realize 95% or more of maximum performance across all metrics (and assuming no other limiting factors). Dozens of countries have average per capita energy use below this 79 GJ energy sufficiency threshold, highlighting the need to combat energy poverty. Surprisingly, our analysis also suggests that reduced per capita primary energy consumption could in principle occur in many higher energy‐consuming countries with little or no loss in health, happiness, or other outcomes, reducing the need for global energy infrastructure and increasing global equity.

Development of Photovoltaic Energy in EU Countries as an Alternative to Fossil Fuels

The aim of the article is to present the development of photovoltaic energy in the EU countries as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels. The article was prepared on the basis of secondary information and statistical data on the photovoltaic energy market in EU countries, and three hypotheses were formulated: H1—There is a statistically significant correlation between a country’s long-term orientation and its use of photovoltaic energy in European Union countries; H2—There is a statistically significant correlation between GDP per capita and photovoltaic energy use in European Union countries; and H3—There is a relationship between climate and photovoltaic energy use in European Union countries. Correlation coefficients and the Guilford classification were used to analyse the data. Data analysis has shown that photovoltaic energy is the second fastest-growing energy source in the EU, after wind energy. In 2020, 134 TWh of solar energy was produced in the EU countries. Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant correlation between the production of photovoltaic energy per person and the level of GDP per capita in the EU countries (Hypothesis 2). Germany and the Netherlands produce the most solar energy. The studies did not confirm Hypothesis 3; however, it can be seen that countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have the highest PV energy efficiency compared to average temperature values. A data analysis showed statistically significant correlations between the country’s long-term orientation in the use of photovoltaic energy (Hypothesis 1). In the case of Germany and Belgium, the long-term orientation indicator is very high above 80, while Portugal, Poland and Finland have the lowest indicator, from 30 to 40.

Drivers of changes in natural resources consumption of Central African countries

<abstract> <p>Consumption of nine different natural resources has kept an increasing trend in Central African countries from 1970 to 2018. This study therefore, investigates the changes and major determinants that have driven the patterns of resource use in six Central African countries over almost fifty years. We used the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method to quantitatively analyze different effects of technology, affluence and population associated with domestic material consumption (DMC) of Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon from 1970 to 2018. We further subdivided the affluence effect into energy productivity (GDP/energy) and per capita energy use (energy/cap) and conducted a four-factor LMDI analysis of Cameroon as a case study. The results highlight that decreased affluence during certain periods has slowed down DMC growth in four of six Central African countries except for Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, while significant technology offset in Equatorial Guinea reduces DMC growth by 28%. Population remains the main positive driving factor of DMC growth, with the highest share in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The case of Cameroon shows that technological intensity and energy intensity play different roles in changing DMC. This study confirms that the rising population and economic growth, combined with a gradual improvement in technology in the region are insufficient to reduce natural resource use. A stringent management plan of natural resources for Central African countries should focus on technological improvement while remaining balanced with the future demand for socioeconomic development in the coming decades.</p> </abstract>

The impact of output volatility on CO2 emissions in Turkey: testing EKC hypothesis with Fourier stationarity test.

This study uses the output volatility–augmented environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) model to determine the dynamic short- and long-term impacts of the volatility of economic growth (VOL) on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Turkey from 1980 to 2015. The results of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach indicate that there is a long-run relationship between CO2, per capita real GDP, per capita energy use, and VOL. The coefficients obtained from the ARDL estimation indicate that economic growth and energy use increase CO2 emissions, while VOL decreases CO2 emissions in the long run. Moreover, the coefficients obtained from the ARDL error correction model show that VOL decreases CO2 emissions in the short run, as well. We also find that the EKC is valid in Turkey. This implies for the Turkish case that achieving macro-stability under a “just transition” is key for achieving both economic and environmental benefits from ratifying international agreements such as Paris Agreement and EU Green Deal.