Effects Of Energy Use Research Articles

Industry level production functions and energy use in 12 EU countries

In the EU context, industrial sectors have significantly reduced their energy consumption in the last decade. Despite significant disparities existing across industry branches, comparative studies focused on the effect of energy use in the production growth of the different industry branches are limited and not related to the EU countries. This study undertakes a production growth approach to analyze the effect of energy use in different industry branches, through the estimation of translog production functions, based on data from 12 EU countries during the 2000–2014 period. In addition, two sub-periods are studied to evaluate if industrial energy efficiency has been improving through time, specifically from 2007. Findings confirm the existence of different behavior patterns with respect to energy use in the considered sectors and from one sub-period to another. As a result, policy measures should be sector-specific, since no general production-energy use patterns can be obtained.

Factors driving energy consumption in China: A joint decomposition approach

Understanding the driving factors behind energy consumption changes provides insights about consumption patterns and can inform targeted energy saving polices. This paper applies a joint decomposition approach, introducing an index decomposition analysis (IDA) method into a production theoretical decomposition analysis (PDA). This integrated approach decomposed energy consumption changes into eight drivers. A subsequent empirical study of China resulted in three key findings. First, regardless of the geographic area considered, potential economic development was the largest factor driving energy consumption growth. Second, the technological change effects associated with economic development and energy savings both played significant roles in reducing energy consumption. Third, the efficiency change effects of energy use and economic development were generally unable to relieve the pressure of increases in energy consumption, especially in the eastern regions.

The environmental Kuznets curve for carbon dioxide in India and China: Growth and pollution at crossroad

This study probes cointegration among carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, economic activity, energy use, and trade, and examines the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. We undertake a comparative analysis between India and China over the period 1971–2012 by using the autoregressive distributed lag model of Pesaran et al. (2001). This study establishes a long-run effect of economic activity and trade openness and a short-run effect of energy use on CO2 emissions. It shows the N-shaped relationship between CO2 emissions and economic activity, a departure from the EKC hypothesis. The study ends with policy advisory for balancing between growth and environment.

Pro-Ecological Energy Solutions which Minimize The Use of Fossil Fuels in The Roofed Facilities

Abstract The paper, based on the materials of the Main Statistical Office, presents a present state of use of renewable energy sources in the Polish power industry. Moreover, based on the available data, the amount of energy used for roofed production was estimated (heat, electric energy). Additionally, the amount of emission to atmosphere of hazardous substances (sulphur oxides, lead oxides, carbon dioxide and carbon oxide, dust and benzo(a) piren) was determined. Based on the available literature, technical solutions, which are analysed in various scientific centres, which aim at decrease of fuel consumption, were presented. A detailed analysis focused on the possibility of substituting fossil fuel with another heat source, effectiveness of energy use, increase of insulation ability of the facility roof and modification of greenhouses structures. From among the available energy sources, problems and its possible use in horticultural production were presented. The following energy sources were analysed: geothermal energy, sun and wind energy, biomass, heat pump; co-generative system (triple co-generative). Also barriers and possibilities of use of own boiler house and heat from central heating grid as energy source were analysed.

Energy Use of Different Farming Systems in Long-Term Trial

This study evaluate the effects of different types of agricultural systems and their managements on energy balance over 45-year period (1970–2015). Agricultural systems were (i) spring barley and (ii) winter wheat monocultures with different types of organic supply (straw incorporation, straw incorporation + green manuring, green manuring and control without organic supply) and (iii) Norfolk four-course system. Averaged across each half of study period, total energy inputs ranged between 10.2 GJ ha-1 year-1 for barley in Norfolk to 22.9 GJ ha-1 year-1 for wheat in monoculture with green manuring. The results indicate increase of indirect inputs in case of wheat and barley in Norfolk. The only system where the indirect input energy became lower was barley monoculture. Total energy outputs ranged between 198 GJ ha-1 year-1 for wheat in Norfolk to 88 GJ ha-1 year-1 for barley in monoculture. Norfolk system had higher output/input ratio than monocultures during whole study period. In almost all systems the effectiveness of energy use decreased during study period when comparing two halves. Yields of cereals throughout all systems were negatively dependent on energy input.

Economic growth and energy use during different stages of development: an empirical analysis

AbstractThis paper empirically investigates the effect of energy use on economic growth throughout different stages of development. Along with direct effects, energy is allowed to influence income growth indirectly by capital accumulation through input substitution. We find that energy use affects economic growth primarily through the capital channel and that this result varies substantially with regard to the country's income level. For middle-income countries including the quintet of large emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – an increase in energy use drives capital accumulation, which favors economic growth. On the contrary, for high-income countries, a higher energy input tends to withdraw productive resources from capital accumulation, harming economic growth. Considering these differences, policy measures aiming at restricting energy consumption should be evaluated against the background of a region's stage of economic development.

节能减排：中国能源战略的必然选择

随着科学技术的发展，人类文明的进步最终实现了生命物质能量向非生命物质能量(矿物燃料)的根本性转变。全球实践表明，大量矿物燃料使用所产生的极化效应正在对人类文明的可持续发展形成日趋严峻的挑战。为此需要重新思考人类的能源利用行为模式。作为世界最大的能源消费和碳排放国，中国未来低碳经济的发展应遵循从目前的“重开发、轻使用”传统能源利用模式向“使用与开发并重”模式的过渡，并最终定格于“重使用、轻开发”的地球友好能源利用模式。 The progress of human civilization has reached a crucial transition of energy use. In the past, the widespread use of mineral fuels has not only brought about remarkable increases in wealth (as measured by the Gross Domestic Product, for example) but also resulted in increased environ-mental pollution, as indicated by heightened CO2 emissions. This phenomenon, which is referred to as the bipolarized effect of energy use, has hindered future sustainable development. Therefore, it is important to consider new methods for building models of energy use in order to develop a low-carbon economy, just like China’s common saying “energy conservation and emission reduction”. As the largest consumer of fossil fuels and the largest emitter of CO2 of the world, China may face mounting challenges in protecting its vulnerable environment unless it can successfully transit from the traditional economic model, which promotes energy exploitation rather than energy conservation, to a model that considers energy exploitation and conservation equally and, finally, to a model that focuses primarily on energy conservation.

Comparison greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming potential (GWP) effect of energy use in different wheat agroecosystems in Iran.

The aims of this study were to determine energy requirement and global warming potential (GWP) in low and high input wheat production systems in western of Iran. For this purpose, data were collected from 120 wheat farms applying questionnaires via face-to-face interviews. Results showed that total energy input and output were 60,000 and 180,000 MJha(-1) in high input systems and 14,000 and 56,000MJha(-1) in low input wheat production systems, respectively. The highest share of total input energy in high input systems recorded for electricity power, N fertilizer, and diesel fuel with 36, 18, and 13%, respectively, while the highest share of input energy in low input systems observed for N fertilizer, diesel fuel, and seed with 32, 31, and 27%. Energy use efficiency in high input systems (3.03) was lower than of low input systems (3.94). Total CO2, N2O, and CH4 emissions in high input systems were 1981.25, 31.18, and 1.87kgha(-1), respectively. These amounts were 699.88, 0.02, and 0.96kgha(-1) in low input systems. In high input wheat production systems, total GWP was 11686.63kg CO2eq ha(-1) wheat. This amount was 725.89kg CO2eq ha(-1) in low input systems. The results show that 1ha of high input system will produce greenhouse effect 17 times of low input systems. So, high input production systems need to have an efficient and sustainable management for reducing environmental crises such as change climate.

Показатели эффективностии результативности использования энергоносителей

This article discusses the current state and problems of energy usage, provides an overview of the state energy efficiency programs, analyzes and identifies the most important index of energy use and suggests methods for assessing the effectiveness of energy use and efficiency of budget spending on energy efficiency programs.

Energy prices, growth, and the channels in between: Theory and evidence

The paper presents stylized cross-country evidence for a negative relationship between energy use and economic growth. Based on this motivation it develops a multisector framework to derive the growth impact of energy from first principles. The structural model is empirically estimated for a sample of 37 developed countries with five-year average data over the period 1975–2009. Estimations of both separate equations and simultaneous systems of equations are performed. The empirical results show a negative impact of energy use on investments in physical capital and knowledge formation. The estimations of simultaneous equations exhibit a dynamic effect of energy use: decreasing energy input and increasing energy prices induce additional investments fostering long-run growth. The growth effect counteracts the negative static effects of lower energy use.

Supply Chain Localisation as a Social and Environmental Business Value: How Applicable Is This in Practical Terms?

This paper was written to explore the viability of supply chain localisation as a strategy for minimising possible adverse environmental and social impacts of large-scale economic activity surrounding the production of sustainable energy products. Supply chain localisation here refers to the situation of production activities close to the geographical areas in which the sustainable energy products would eventually be installed. Sustainable energy products refer to technologies and other goods and services that minimize negative environmental effects of energy use in buildings throughout their construction and habitation. The paper dwells on the operations of a major energy-efficiency programme based in the West Midlands, UK, which focused on preparing providers of sustainable energy products for the Green Deal—a UK-wide housing retrofit initiative—and the attendant increase in economic and industrial activities that the Green Deal is expected to generate. Participant observation and interviews were used to conduct a study of the programme. As part of measures to ensure that Green Deal-related activities yield minimal negative environmental and social effects while optimising economic benefits, programme participants recommended the localisation of the supply chain for the production, installation, and maintenance of sustainable energy products. The paper examines the programme outputs and focuses particularly on the concept of supply chain localisation. Based on the primary research conducted, as well as secondary research sources, the paper discusses the economic, social, and environmental benefits and detriments of the supply chain localisation agenda. It also looks at the overall practicality of the implementation of supply chain localism within the context of mainstream business practices.

Effects of household energy consumption on environment and its influence factors in rural and urban areas

The aim of this paper is to analyze the current situation and environmental effects of household energy consumption in rural and urban areas. We suggest some measures on reducing emission and protecting environment from pollution. Based on questionnaires survey, we analyzed the quantity and structure of household energy consumption in urban and rural areas, and compared the environmental effects of energy use between urban and rural areas. We used SPIRPAT model to analyze the impact of population and income factors on the ecological footprint of energy use. The results show that there is an unobvious difference of per capita energy consumption between areas. But in terms of energy structure, urban households are dominated by the fossil energy, while rural households are dominated by both of biomass energy and fossil fuels. The emissions of rural households are much larger than those of urban households. However, the difference of social emissions from energy consumption between urban and rural households becomes little. Both population size and income factors have promoting effect on total energy and the ecological footprints of electricity and coal etc. in urban areas, so does on electricity and biomass in rural areas.

Energy Efficiency: A Comparative Analysis of the New Zealand Legal Framework

Energy-efficiency laws and policies have great ability to improve economic wellbeing and human health, while reducing the adverse effects of energy use on climate and the environment generally. New Zealand, like many countries, has a legal framework for energy-efficiency measures, including a specialist agency, a process for strategic planning and the making of regulations. This framework has certain strengths, but shows deficiencies in its use of strategies. Its use of regulation for labelling and minimum energy performance standards is similar to that of a number of other countries. In this article, New Zealand law on energy efficiency is compared with that of California and Germany. Insights from social sciences and behavioural economics have considerable promise in the design of energy-efficiency measures. However, a clear legal framework is necessary to put energy efficiency at the heart of energy policy, and to pursue it with conventional legal regulatory measures.

The Functional Relationship Between Energy Inputs and Yield Value of Soybean Production in Iran

This study examines energy use patterns and the relationship between energy inputs and yield for soybean production in the Golestan province of Iran. Data used in this study were obtained from randomly selected soybean farms using a face-to-face survey. The results revealed that total energy of 35372.23 MJ ha−1 was required for soybean production and electricity, chemical fertilizers, and diesel fuel were the main energy consuming inputs. Energy use efficiency, energy productivity, and specific energy were 2.29, 0.09 kg MJ−1, and 10.94 MJ kg−1, respectively. Moreover, in specifying a functional relationship the Cobb–Douglas production function was selected as the best function. The results showed that fertilizer, water for irrigation, diesel fuel, machinery, human labor, and electricity energies significantly contributed to yield; while, the use of chemicals and seed energies was inconsistent with output. Also, the marginal physical productivity (MPP) technique was applied to analyze the effect of energy use on soybean production. It was found that, soybean production had more sensitivity on machinery, human labor, and water for irrigation energies; so that, an additional use of 1 MJ from each of the machinery, human labor, and water for irrigation energies would lead to increase in output by 0.57, 0.44, and 0.23 kg, respectively.

Toward Energy-Efficient Computing

By now, most everyone is aware of the energy problem at its highest level: our primary sources of energy are running out, while the demand for energy in both commercial and domestic environments is increasing, and the side effects of energy use have important global environmental considerations. The emission of greenhouse gases such as CO, now seen by most climatologists to be linked to global warming, is only one issue.

The energy-GDP nexus: Evidence from a panel of Pacific Island countries

The Pacific Island countries are small island economies that are increasingly dependent on energy for growth and development, yet highly susceptible to climate change. Thus, the relationship between energy consumption and GDP is crucial for realizing their future development and growth objectives. This article tests for Granger causality and provides long-run structural estimates for the relationship between energy consumption, GDP and urbanization for a panel of Pacific Island countries. For the panel as a whole in the long-run there is bidirectional Granger causality between energy consumption and GDP and these variables exert a positive impact on each other. A 1% increase in energy consumption increases GDP by 0.11%, while a 1% increase in GDP increases energy consumption by 0.23%. The findings suggest that for the panel as a whole these countries should increase investment in energy infrastructure and regulatory reform of energy infrastructure to improve delivery efficiency, continue to promote alternative energy sources and put in place energy conservation policies to reduce unnecessary wastage. These strategies seek to realize the dual objectives of reducing the adverse effects of energy use on the environment, while avoiding the negative effect on economic growth of reducing energy consumption.

Soil carbon modelling as a tool for carbon balance studies in forestry

Soils represent a remarkable stock of carbon, and forest soils are estimated to hold half of the global stock of soil carbon. Topical concern about the effects of climate change and forest management on soil carbon as well as practical reporting requirements set by climate conventions have created a need to assess soil carbon stock changes reliably and transparently. The large spatial variability of soil carbon commensurate with relatively slow changes in stocks hinders the assessment of soil carbon stocks and their changes by direct measurements. Due to these difficulties in measuring soil carbon, models widely serve to estimate carbon stocks and stock changes in soils. This dissertation aimed to develop the soil carbon model YASSO for upland forest soils. The model was aimed to take into account the most important processes controlling the decomposition in soils, yet remain simple enough to ensure its practical applicability in different applications. The model structure and assumptions were presented and the model parameters were defined with empirical measurements. The model was evaluated by studying the sensitivities of the model results to parameter values, by estimating the precision of the results with an uncertainty analysis, and by assessing the accuracy of the model by comparing the predictions against measured data and by comparing the model results to the results of an alternative model. The model was applied at the stand level to study the effects of intensified biomass extraction on the forest carbon balance. In another application, the effects of energy use of forest residues on soil carbon were quantified with the model. The model calculated soil carbon deficit was presented as an indirect CO2 emission. This emission was then compared to other emissions from the forest residue production chain and burning. Finally, the model was applied in an inventory based method to assess the national scale forest carbon balance for Finland’s forests from 1922 to 2004. According to the results of the uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, the soil carbon stock estimates of the model are uncertain, because those parameters that most strongly affect these estimates are poorly known. Carbon stock change estimates, on the other hand, are rather reliable, because the parameters determining these estimates are known better. According to a test conducted with a Canadian litterbag experiment, YASSO managed to describe sufficiently the effects of both the variable litter and climatic conditions on decomposition. When combined with the stand models or other systems providing litter information, the dynamic approach of the model proved to be powerful for estimating changes in soil carbon stocks on different scales. The climate dependency of the model, the effects of nitrogen on decomposition and forest growth as well as the effects of soil texture on soil carbon stock dynamics are areas for development when considering the applicability of the model to different research questions, different land use types and wider geographic regions. Intensified biomass extraction affects soil carbon stocks, and these changes in stocks should be taken into account when considering the net effects of forest residue utilisation as energy. On a national scale, soil carbon stocks play an important role in forest carbon balances.

Isopropanol–acetone–hydrogen chemical heat pump: A demonstration unit

The chemical heat pump is an alternative for improving the effectiveness of energy use. Waste heat at low temperatures will be recovered via a reversible chemical reaction. It will be absorbed by an endothermic reaction and transferred to new chemicals.The new chemicals are then reacted and liberate heat at high temperatures by an exothermic reaction. This paper presents a study on the development of a demonstration unit of a isopropanol–acetone–hydrogen chemical heat pump system. All major components in the system were individually investigated, which are endothermic and exothermic reactors and a distillation column. These components were then assembled and the system run. Finally, data were collected and the performance evaluated.

A regression analysis of the effect of energy use in agriculture

This study investigates the impacts of energy use on productivity of Turkey's agriculture. It reports the results of a regression analysis of the relationship between energy use and agricultural productivity. The study is based on the analysis of the yearbook data for the period 1971–2003. Agricultural productivity was specified as a function of its energy consumption (TOE) and gross additions of fixed assets during the year. Least square (LS) was employed to estimate equation parameters. The data of this study comes from the State Institute of Statistics (SIS) and The Ministry of Energy of Turkey.

Meaningful participation in global climate policy? Comparative analysis of the energy and CO 2 efficiency dynamics of key developing countries

The comparative analysis covering years 1971–1999 of Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Korea, Mexico and South Africa reveals that there are large differences between the energy systems of the key developing countries. The energy and CO 2 intensity effects have decreased remarkably since the late 1970s in China. Also India has performed decreasing energy intensity. There have not been large increases in the intensity effects of energy use in other countries. Changes in intensity effects of CO 2 emissions were also quite small. An exception among the key developing countries is Korea, where the intensity effects of both energy use and CO 2 emissions have increased remarkably. In addition to the empirical decomposition analysis, the article discusses the role of key developing countries in international climate policy.