Energyintensief

Energyintensief is a descriptor used to characterize processes, technologies or sectors that require large amounts of energy relative to the value of the output they produce. The term is common in energy policy, economics and industry analyses. Energy-intensive activities typically involve continuous production, high temperatures or large-scale operations, which result in energy costs that dominate production costs in many cases.

Measuring energy intensity usually involves energy use per unit of economic output (for example, energy consumption per GDP) or per unit of physical production (such as energy per ton of product). It differs from energy efficiency, which assesses how effectively energy is converted into useful services within equipment. Energy intensity is influenced by technology, the structure of the economy, energy prices and policy frameworks.

Common energy-intensive sectors include steel, cement, chemicals, aluminum, pulp and paper, and glass. In these industries, energy costs often represent a substantial portion of total production costs, making them especially responsive to energy price fluctuations and carbon pricing. Strategies to reduce energy intensity involve process optimization, fuel switching, heat recovery, electrification where feasible, and investment in more efficient equipment.

Policy relevance arises in industrial energy efficiency programs, reliability of energy supply and transition planning. When comparing countries or tracking progress, it is important to note that energy intensity can reflect both energy efficiency and structural shifts in the economy, and may be affected by data coverage and trade patterns. Cautions help avoid misinterpreting improvements that come from moving activities to less energy-intensive sectors.