Energy Return on Investment: Status, Trends, and Social Implications

This book describes the essential concepts and tools needed to analyze the quantity and quality of energy resources available to both developed and developing nations. Although economists regard energy as just another marketable commodity, the energy return on investment (EROI) underpins all societal functions, and is a major determinant of economic status and the potential of any development scenario. In addition to a summary of the various approaches that have been used to derive EROI, this book will review existing studies as applied to various energy sources, including, where possible, time series analysis. Particularly new is an assessment of some 76 countries with respect to the relation of various energy indices to a number of well-accepted indices of social well-being. The book concludes with policy recommendations as governments and development agencies attempt to wrestle with changing quantity and quality of energy available globally and the resulting economic impacts. Energy Return on Investment is required reading for: * Energy analysts and technologists* Economists and others who want a better understanding of the ubiquitous role of energy in society * National and regional level decision-makers who are concerned with how to generate effective development in a changing world * National and International companies working in developing countries * Urban and Regional Planners.The report contained herein was commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and developed by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF).