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"The Long Run Demand for Lighting (1711-2008): The Effects of Economic Development and Technological Innovation"
Before the mid-eighteenth century, most people lived in near-complete darkness except in the presence of sunlight and moonlight. Since then, the provision of artificial light has been revolutionized by a series of innovations in appliances, fuels, infrastructures and institutions. The real price of lighting fell dramatically (i.e. 4,000-fold since 1800). Coupled with the growing demands of economic development, per capita consumption of lighting was 16,000 times greater than in 1800. This paper presents estimates of the income, real price and efficiency (i.e. rebound effect) elasticities of demand for lighting, and how they have changed through time. This paper provides a first case study of the long run effects of economic development and technological innovation on the demand for energy services, which are vital for a better understanding of energy behavior and forecasting of greenhouse gas emissions.
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Roger Fouquet
Ikerbasque Research Professor - BC3
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