Fuel conserving (and using) production functions

Artificial light has long been a significant factor contributing to the quality and productivity of human life. As a consequence, we are willing to use huge amounts of energy to produce it. Solid-state lighting (SSL) is an emerging technology that promises performance features and efficiencies well beyond those of traditional artificial lighting, accompanied by potentially massive shifts in (a) the consumption of light, (b) the human productivity and energy use associated with that consumption and (c) the semiconductor chip area inventory and turnover required to support that consumption. In this paper, we provide estimates of the baseline magnitudes of these shifts using simple extrapolations of past behaviour into the future. For past behaviour, we use recent studies of historical and contemporary consumption patterns analysed within a simple energy-economics framework (a Cobb‐Douglas production function and profit maximization). For extrapolations into the future, we use recent reviews of believed-achievable long-term performance targets for SSL. We also discuss ways in which the actual magnitudes could differ from the baseline magnitudes of these shifts. These include: changes in human societal demand for light; possible demand for features beyond lumens; and guidelines and regulations aimed at economizing on consumption of light and associated energy. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

/pdf/solid-state-lighting-an-energy-economics-perspective-55rbj7vrlw.pdf

Solid-state lighting: an energy-economics perspective

https://isiarticles.com/bundles/Article/pre/pdf/4650.pdf

Historical evidence for energy efficiency rebound in 30 US sectors and a toolkit for rebound analysts

Especially in the industrial and commercial sectors, economists seeking to understand rebound phenomena rely on the specification of what they call production functions As part of this endeavour, they need to mathematically depict the technology gains that may lead to rebound In this chapter, we attempt to bridge the gap between an engineering understanding of what these technology gains must look like in concrete terms and what they must look like to be implementable in an economic representation

Harry D. Saunders

Papers

Specifying Technology for Analysing Rebound