Energy Use and Savings in the Canadian Industrial Sector

Abstract

The changing role of energy as a production input in the industrial sector in Canada is examined. Energy use patterns are reviewed in terms of the energy input types, both purchased and self-produced, the actual energy form and quality requirements, and the residual energy forms, in particular the rejected gaseous and liquid waste heat streams. The trends in the intensity of energy use are examined, in terms of the energy consumed per unit of production output, and relative to the cost of other production inputs. Energy consumption and intensity have been influenced by many factors: energy prices; energy types used; structural composition and product mix; the state of the national economy and international markets, etc. In addition, energy use management with the achievement of optimum economic efficiency of energy use as the objective became an increasing priority for corporate and national energy planning during the 1970's. The potential for saving energy and money, the costs and benefits, are discussed in the light of evidence from a variety of industry and government sources. It appears that the substitution of energy-saving techniques and technologies as a replacement for the use of energy inputs will remain a high priority during the 1980's.