Historic trends in the service sector

Book · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:138799

Across regions, the service sector accounts for a relatively small share of final energy use: about 10% in the OECD countries, 5% in the Former East Bloc, and even less in most LDCs. In all of the above groups, however, it accounts for a larger share of electricity than of energy use: about 25% in the OECD countries, and about 13% in the LDC. In the United States and Japan, and in some of the wealthier LDCs, its electricity use is driving peak demand. Service-sector energy use in nine OECD countries increased by 15% between 1973 and 1988, but the aggregate energy intensity declined by around 25%. The trends were very different for fuel intensity, which fell by approximately 40%, and for electricity intensity, which rose slightly. The drop in fuel intensity was mainly due to considerable retrofitting of buildings and improved energy management practices, though entry of new, more energy-efficient buildings into the stock also played a role. There was also a trend away from fuel-based to electric heating in some countries. Electricity intensity was primarily shaped by two forces working in opposite directions. Addition of more office equipment pushed upward on intensity, while improvements in end-use efficiency, especially for lighting, pushed downward. The service sector accounts for only a small share of total energy use in the Former East Bloc and the LDCs. In the USSR, there is some evidence of a slight decline in fuel intensity and an increase in electricity intensity, although the latter is quite low by Western standards. Services electricity intensity has risen considerably in most LDCs due largely to addition of modern, air-conditioned buildings. 4 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 138799
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
AIR CONDITIONING
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
BUILDINGS
DENMARK
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FRANCE
INDIA
INDONESIA
ITALY
JAPAN
MEXICO
NORWAY
OECD
PHILIPPINES
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
SECTORAL ANALYSIS
SERVICE SECTOR
SPACE HEATING
SWEDEN
THAILAND
UNITED KINGDOM
USA