Energy vs food resource ratios for alternative energy technologies

William Dritschilo, Miguel Monroy, Elizabeth Nash, Barry Schuyler, Barry R. Wallerstein, Joseph De Vita and Richard L. Perrine

Energy, 1983, vol. 8, issue 4, 255-265

Abstract: Alternative energy technologies, particularly solar-based ones require large amounts of resources such as land and water that are also required for food production. Conflicts in resource use by energy and food production systems can be estimated quantitatively by a resource use ratio based upon the number of people that can be provided with either food or energy using the resources in question. Example analyses of selected alternative energy technologies demonstrate that alcohol from corn and eucalyptus farm technology have high potential, while wind and dry geothermal energy systems have low potential for conflict with food production. The approach presented provides a quantitative measure for assessing the issues arising when food resources are used for energy production.

Date: 1983
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:8:y:1983:i:4:p:255-265

DOI: 10.1016/0360-5442(83)90101-9

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