Energy footprint: Concept, application and modeling

Abstract

Energy footprint(EnF) quantifies the impact of human energy activities and the concept is evolving due to its broad coverage of environmental, social, economic and technical implications. This study performs the first comprehensive retrospective study on the general EnF concept with the aim to clarify its definition, mark recent practical developments and key modeling considerations. Given the existing variability in the definition of EnF, we propose a comprehensive and adaptive definition framework to address and better integrate this concept. The EnF has a wide range of practical uses for the country, industry, company, product and process. Typically, it can be considered as a sub-dimension of environmental footprint, serving to raise public awareness, guide energy policy, and inform technical improvements. Furthermore, we contend that EnF, as a practical indicator, can encompass not only environmental burden but also other facets such as economic well-beings, social costs and benefits. Thus, future studies should be carried out in a holistic perspective, considering the complex nexus between the energy-environment and the socioeconomic system. Priorities should be placed on detailed environmental and social life cycle assessment in renewable products and technology, with particular attention directed towards addressing uncertainty issues.

Keywords

• Energy footprint
• Energy sustainability
• Uncertainty
• Input-output
• Consumption-based
• Life cycle assessment