ENERGY ANALYSIS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY-SOURCES

This paper examines the application of energy analysis to the assessment of renewable energy sources. The basic features, terms, conventions and methods of energy analysis which were established during the 1970s are introduced and the value of energy analysis as a means of evaluating new energy technologies is explained in relation to current concern about resource depletion and global warming. Additionally, the way in which energy analysis can complement conventional economic evaluation is discussed. An extensive summary of results from previous energy analysis studies of renewable energy sources is presented and essential improvements in energy analysis databases to enable progress with new studies are described.