Baseline energy forecasts and analysis of alternative strategies for airline fuel conservation

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7232510

The objectives of this study were to identify measures to reduce airline fuel consumption and to evaluate the impact of these alternatives on fuel consumption through 1990. To evaluate the impact of fuel conservation strategies, baseline forecasts of airline activity and energy consumption to 1990 were developed. Alternative policy options to reduce fuel consumption were identified and analyzed for three baseline levels of aviation activity within the framework of an aviation activity/energy consumption model. By combining the identified policy options, a strategy was developed to provide incentives for airline fuel conservation. Strategies and policy options were evaluated in terms of their impact on airline fuel conservation and the functioning of the airline industry as well as the associated social, environmental, and economic costs. The need for strategies to conserve airline fuel is based on air transportation's dependence upon petroleum; the current lack of alternative energy sources; the potential for disruption of air service due to crises in fuel availability such as experienced during the OPEC oil embargo; and the overall national goal of energy independence through energy conservation in all consuming sectors. The transition from the current situation to that described by strategies and policy options may require difficult adjustments by the airline industry in the short term. In the long term, however, conservation strategies can enhance the health of the airline industry as well as its fuel efficiency.

• Research Organization: Urban Systems Research and Engineering, Cambridge, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7232510
• Report Number(s): FEA/D-76/026
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320201 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Air & Aerospace
530100 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Social & Economic Studies-- (-1989)
AIRCRAFT
AVIATION FUELS
CONSUMPTION RATES
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FORECASTING
FUEL CONSUMPTION
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS