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Energy Production The energy production values presented here are calculated by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Their energy balance methodology is based on the calorific content of energy commodities, measured in a common unit of account known as the metric ton of oil equivalent (toe). This quantity of energy, defined as 10 Exp. 7 kilocalories or 41.868 gigajoules, is equal to the net heat content of 1 metric ton of crude oil. To account for the differences in quality between types of coal and other energy sources, the IEA has applied specific conversion factors supplied by national administrations for the main categories of energy sources and flows or uses (i.e. production, imports, exports, industry). Energy statistics are expressed in terms of net calorific value and therefore may be slightly lower than statistics presented elsewhere using gross calorific value. For oil and coal, net calorific value is 5 percent less than gross; for most forms of natural and manufactured gas, the difference is 9-10 percent. Using net calorific values is consistent with the United Nations and European Community statistical offices. When calculating the primary energy equivalent for sources such as nuclear, geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, etc., the IEA uses the physical energy content of the source's primary energy form. The IEA assumes that a source's primary energy form is the first energy form for which multiple energy uses are practical. In the case of nuclear energy, for instance, the quantity of heat generated in the reactors, rather than the energy content of the nuclear fuel, is reported as the primary energy form. Heat is also the chosen form for geothermal heat and electricity production, and solar heat production. Electricity is the chosen form for hydro, wind, wave/ocean and photovoltaic solar electricity production. The IEA has two primary methods of obtaining data. Firstly, the IEA sends out 5 annual questionnaires to each OECD member country to collect energy data for the preceding two years. The questionnaires address each of the following subjects: crude oil and petroleum products; natural gas; electricity and heat; solid fuels and manufacture gases; and renewables and wastes. The IEA gathers further data through its Monthly Oil Statistics questionnaires and various mini-questionnaires. Data for non-OECD countries are collected by way of other international organizations, i.e. United Nations, OLADE; close cooperation with national statistical bodies; direct contacts with energy consultants and companies; publications; and questionnaires for UN-ECE countries (identical to those sent to OECD member countries). FREQUENCY OF UPDATE BY DATA PROVIDERS: IEA updates their energy data annually. The UN Population Division updates the figures used for per capita calculations every other year. These updates also often include revisions of past data. Data may therefore differ from those reported in prior EarthTrends data tables. |