Energy Transitions in the Twentieth Century

Abstract

This chapter examines energy transitions in twentieth-century Europe. It begins with a discussion of the rise in energy consumption in the twentieth century and the breakthrough of oil and electricity. These developments display similarities and differences with the previous century, that of the first industrial revolution, where coal came to dominate the scene and released the economy from the constraints of the organic economy. As energy carriers, oil and electricity changed the relative positioning of European countries. The chapter proceeds by decomposing the energy consumption into the effects from population increase, income increase, and energy intensity changes. It also considers the new geography of energy supply, nuclear energy and other primary sources for electricity generation, drivers of carbon dioxide emissions, food consumption in the twentieth century, and higher quality of energy and higher efficiency in energy use.