Oil may hinder alternative energy growth, study says

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Electr. Light Power; (United States)

OSTI ID:5163161

Worldwatch Institute warns that if oil prices fall below $20 per barrel, many investments in coal and gas projects and more efficient technologies will no longer be economical. This would encourage an unsustainable level of oil dependence, and could lead to another energy crisis in the 1990s. Supporting evidence for this conclusion is OPEC's drop in production to only half the level of four years ago, while non-OPEC reserves are draining rapidly. Increased energy efficiency has done the most to lower world oil consumption, exceeding the contribution of all new energy sources combined. Coal has been the principal source of additional energy, although the use of renewable resources is expanding rapidly. The transition to a more efficient world energy system will slow if the crisis and glut cycle continues.

• OSTI ID: 5163161
• Journal Information: Electr. Light Power; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Light Power; (United States) Vol. 63:10; ISSN ELLPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020700* -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
292000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ECONOMIC ELASTICITY
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
INVESTMENT
MATERIALS
OIL-EXPORTING COUNTRIES
OPEC
PETROLEUM
PRICES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES