Ziyuan Kexue (Feb 2023)
Total factor energy efficiency and its measurement, comparison, and validation
Abstract
[Objective] By reviewing the connotation and measurement methods of total factor energy efficiency, this study aimed to compare and verify the relevant factors and their changes and characteristics that affect the reliability of the measurement results. The conclusion of the study provides key support for improving the analysis of the technical efficiency of energy factors and other factors in production, carrying out energy conservation work, and achieving the goal of carbon peak in China. [Methods]Through the review of a large number of relevant publications, the connotation of total factor energy efficiency and related concepts, the methodology of total factor energy efficiency measurement, and the calculation results of existing representative studies were compared and analyzed. As a case study, we measured the total factor energy efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China, and verified the influencing factors and related characteristics of the calculated results. [Results] The results of literature review show that the concept of total factor energy efficiency is mixed with other energy efficiency concepts. Since energy consumption is highly linked to carbon emissions, simply including carbon emissions into undesirable output in the measurement method may lead to overestimation or underestimation of the total factor energy efficiency measurement results. The existing literature has great differences in the calculation results of total factor energy efficiency, or even completely opposite. The results of the case study show that the number of DMUs and the quality of input-output data have important effects on the total factor energy efficiency. However, technological heterogeneity has a greater impact on the regional differences in total factor energy efficiency than the differences in economic development levels. In addition, it is also verified that there is spatial autocorrelation in the measurement results of total factor energy efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, and its time trend is basically consistent with other relevant results. [Conclusion] It is necessary to strengthen the research on the connotation and methodology of total factor energy efficiency, especially to improve the analytical ability in dealing with unexpected output, technical heterogeneity, spatial autocorrelation and other aspects. And in the process of calculation to strengthen the input and output data and quality control; At the same time, the systematic analysis of the change characteristics of total factor energy efficiency should be strengthened.
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