Further issues in forecasting primary energy consumption

The series of papers by Marchetti [8, 9, 10] and Graham and Senge [4] (published in this journal between 1977 and 1980) represents a useful alternative approach to the problems of energy demand forecasting and primary energy substitution. The learning system approach seems a most appropriate investigative framework, given the aggregated treatment of the energy supply-demand system. It is also interesting for its attempt to establish a link between the structure of the primary energy markets and the 50–60 year cycles of basic innovations.This paper seeks to illustrate further conclusions from the reported research findings, by considering additional energetic criteria. These additional criteria—energy concentration (or quality) and energy accessibility—appear to reinforce the linkage between innovation waves and primary energy substitution patterns, though we modify the interpretation placed on this connection. Furthermore, the additional criteria lead to alternative conclusions about future energy supply, namely that previously discarded energy sources may be revisited and may retain some of their earlier market share.