This paper examines the likely evolution of energy demand over the next half century. The focus is on the Australian energy market but a global context is established because of the dependence of individual economies on the global economy.
The areas examined include:
· Potential impact of sustainable technologies, both supply side
and demand side
· Demand drivers
· Role of innovation and technology in meeting customer demands
The Conference Program recognises that energy end users ultimately want light, heat, cold, motive power, and ultra-reliable electricity to drive technology systems that our economy and population depend on to support our present way of life. This paper examines the issues associated with meeting customer needs with less consumption of secondary and primary energy and a range of energy sources. At this stage there is neither a uniform regulatory regime nor appropriate incentive scheme in Australia to encourage energy customers to have a strong focus on energy conservation. Energy is relatively inexpensive in comparison with implementing many energy conservation initiatives and in the absence of appropriate cost signals, customers are generally increasing their energy consumption.