U.S. Energy Transitions 1780–2010

Peter A. O'Connor and Cutler J. Cleveland
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Peter A. O'Connor: Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Cutler J. Cleveland: Department of Earth and Environment, Boston University, 685 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Energies, 2014, vol. 7, issue 12, 1-39

Abstract: Economic and social factors compel large-scale changes in energy systems. An ongoing transition in the United States is driven by environmental concerns, changing patterns of energy end-use, constraints on petroleum supply. Analysis of prior transitions shows that energy intensity in the U.S. from 1820 to 2010 features a declining trend when traditional energy is included, in contrast to the “inverted U-curve” seen when only commercial energy is considered. This analysis quantifies use of human and animal muscle power, wind and water power, biomass, harvested ice, fossil fuels, and nuclear power, with some consumption series extending back to 1780. The analysis reaffirms the importance of innovation in energy conversion technologies in energy transitions. An increase in energy intensity in the early 20th century is explained by diminishing returns to pre-electric manufacturing systems, which produced a transformation in manufacturing. In comparison to similar studies for other countries, the U.S. has generally higher energy intensity.

Keywords: energy transitions; economic history; energy intensity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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