3.5 Growth in Energy Demand

For a long time, growth in the world and the U. S. energy consumption as a function of time, follow what is known as exponential function. Now it looks like we have switched to linear growth, but time will tell if this is a permanent change. The exponential increase is characterized as follows. The amount of change (increase in energy consumption) per unit time is proportional to the quantity (or consumption) at that time.

We can determine how long it takes for N0 to become 2N0 (twice its original number or double). That time period is called doubling time. After some mathematical steps it can be written as:

Doubling Time = 70 / % Growth Rate per Year

Example

If the use of energy is projected to increase at the rate of 1.7% per year in the U.S. How long will it take to double its usage?

Doubling Time (years) = 701.7 = 41.17 years

In 41.17 years, the consumption of energy will be twice as much as it is today.

Try It Yourself

If electricity use is expected to increase 2.4%, how long will it take to double its usage?