NCJ Number
66114
Journal
GAO Review Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 37-44
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE INTRODUCES THE CONCEPT OF ENERGY ANALYSIS, EXPLAINS ITS IMPORTANCE, AND OUTLINES THE USES OF THE TECHNIQUE.
Abstract
THIS CONCEPT OF ACCOUNTING WITHOUT DOLLARS USES ENERGY AS A MORE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF ACCOUNT THAN MONEY, AND THE NEED FOR SUCH ANALYSIS HAS ARISEN WITH THE GROWING CONCERN OVER THE FINITE SUPPLY OF ENERGY RESOURCES. THE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION IS NOW REQUIRED BY LAW TO CONSIDER THE NET, AS OPPOSED TO THE GROSS, ENERGY YIELD OF A SYSTEM WHEN ASSIGNING PRIORITIES FOR ENCOURAGING COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS OF NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES. ENERGY ANALYSIS IS THE STUDY OF ENERGY FLOWS, AND THE TECHNIQUE CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY MANUFACTURING PROCESS, WHETHER THE FINAL PRODUCT IS IN ENERGY FORM SUCH AS ELECTRICITY, OR IN A NONENERGY FORM, SUCH AS AUTOMOBILES, CONTAINER, CHEMICALS, ETC. THROUGH ENERGY ANALYSIS RESEARCHERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH ENERGY IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A GOOD OR SERVICE; I.E., TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL ENERGY EXPENDITURES OR COSTS. THE TECHNIQUE IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN (1) COMPARING THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF COMPETING PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES, (2) IDENTIFYING INEFFICIENT PROCESSES WHERE ENERGY IS BEING WASTED, AND (3) MEASURING THE IMPACT OF VARIOUS POLICIES ON OUR SUPPLY OF NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES. TABULAR DATA AND GRAPHIC PRESENTATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)