The dynamics of energy/socio-economic interaction
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Abstract
A Dynamic Energy Systems Model of world energy usage has been produced in this report. It is based on the storages, flows, utilization and dissipation of energy of man-made society at the global level. It models the interaction of energy supply sectors, in the form of fossil fuel stock resources, an environmental flow source, and their refining industries, with the socioeconomic sector of society, consisting of an infrastructure which manufactures, distributes and consumes goods and services. The model simulates a new form of primary energy (coal, oil or gas) penetrating the existing energy market at a new point in time. Each new form of energy, or energy sector, is externally characterised by 3 parameters: Availability; Accessibility and date of inception (Inceptdate ). The nature of the model is explained, and results from the computer simulation of the model, showing the market shares of primary energy sectors over time, and other related data, are presented. Specifically, the results show that a previously discarded energy source may be 'revisited', that modelling 2 energy stock resources of widely differing Accessibility creates a highly disruptive energy 'spike', and that the behaviour pattern (either aggressive or cooperative) of 2 energy stock sectors is dependent on the date of inception.