AN END-USE APPROACH TO ENERGY MANAGEMENT

“If the world economy expands to meet the aspirations of countries around the globe, energy demand is likely to increase even if strenuous efforts are made to increase the efficiency of energy use. Given adequate support, renewable energy technologies can meet much of the growing demand at prices lower than those usually forecast for conventional energy. By the middle of the 21st century, renewable sources of energy could account for three-fifths of the world’s electricity market and two-fifths of the market for fuels used directly. Moreover, making a transition to a renewables-intensive energy economy would provide environmental and other benefits not measured in standard economic accounts.”

“The integrating theme for all initiatives, should be an energy policy aimed at promoting sustainable development. It will not be possible to provide the energy needed to bring a decent standard of living to the world’s poor or to sustain the economic well-being of the industrialized countries in environmentaly acceptable ways, if the present energy course continues. The path to a sustainable society requires more efficient energy use and a shift to a variety of renewable energy sources.”

T. Johansson, H. Kelly, A. Reddy, R. Williams (ed.): Renewable Energy: Sources for Fuels and Electricity (Based on the report of the UN solar energy group for environment and development to the UNCED conference)