Accounting frameworks for tracking energy efficiency trends

Many differences can be found among the existing accounting systems for tracking economy-wide energy efficiency trends. There is a need for greater uniformity in the design and application of such systems but a formal study does not exist. This paper seeks to fill some of the gaps. It begins by introducing the basic concepts, indicators and terminology in this study area. This is followed by a review of the existing economy-wide energy efficiency accounting systems with a focus on the analytical framework. The merit of having a precise and meaningful relationship between two basic energy indicators, the energy efficiency index and the energy savings due to efficiency improvement, is elaborated. An accounting framework based on the LMDI decomposition technique which possesses a number of desirable properties is proposed. Numerical examples are presented to highlight these properties and show the differences among the various accounting frameworks. Several methodological and application issues are discussed, and the study concludes with key findings and recommendations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.