Global energy and electricity futures

Chauncey Starr

Energy, 1993, vol. 18, issue 3, 225-237

Abstract: By the middle of the next century, global energy demand, driven by population and economic growth, will be in the range of 2–4 times the present level, depending on the effectiveness of energy efficiency and conservation globally. Even with maximum realistic conservation, the electricity component will be more than 4 times present usage. A massive expansion of non-fossil sources would be needed to slow the future annual increase in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. At best, the contribution of the environmental trinity, solar, wind, and biomass, is not likely to exceed one-third of the electricity supply due to practical limitations. The bulk of the electricity will necessarily come from fossil fuels and from non-fossil sources such as hydro, nuclear, and geothermal energy. The annual carbon dioxide emissions will undoubtedly increase for the foreseeable future, even with intensive global conservation and efficiency efforts, unless the present constraints on a major expansion of these non-fossil sources are moderated.

Date: 1993
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:18:y:1993:i:3:p:225-237

DOI: 10.1016/0360-5442(93)90107-O

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