Our World in Data · Mens en maatschappij

How primary energy is measured has changed across our charts

Our World in Data has updated its methodology for measuring primary energy, impacting how energy production and consumption data are presented. The change affects how energy sources, particularly renewables and fossil fuels, are compared, leading to shifts in reported figures.

The way primary energy is measured has changed on Our World in Data, affecting charts on energy production and consumption. Different methods exist for measuring energy, from its initial source (primary energy) to its final usable form (useful energy). International datasets for final and useful energy are not readily available, so the focus remains on primary and secondary energy (electricity generation).

The primary energy measurement change stems from how energy wasted during fossil fuel conversion is accounted for. Previously, the substitution method inflated renewable and nuclear energy figures by converting them into their "fossil equivalents" based on typical power plant efficiencies. For instance, 100 TWh of solar electricity was counted as 250 TWh of primary energy. This made fossil fuels appear to have a smaller share of the primary energy mix.

The new methodology, the physical energy content method, measures the total energy supply without inflating renewable figures like solar PV, wind, and hydropower. 100 TWh of solar electricity is now recorded as 100 TWh of primary energy. Adjustments are still made for other renewables like geothermal and biomass, and nuclear power is converted using its thermal efficiency. This change results in a significant drop in reported primary energy from solar, wind, and hydropower, a slight increase from nuclear and geothermal, and generally an increased share for fossil fuels in the primary energy mix.

This is an accounting adjustment, not a physical change in the energy system, and it applies consistently across historical data. The Energy Institute, the primary data source, has shifted to this new methodology.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.