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Survey of Energy Resources Interim Update 2009

Introduction

This review provides a concise update of the 2007 Survey of Energy Resources (SER), based upon information available up to March 2009. It thus provides a snapshot of the world's energy resources at a point approximately mid-way through the triennial SER cycle.

Emphasis is placed upon changes in assessments of fossil-fuel reserves and in the capacity to generate electricity from renewable energy resources. The principal changes in reserves are summarised in tabular form and commented on in brief Country Notes. The Country Notes relating to renewable energy sources endeavour to cover recent developments in actual and planned capacity and utilisation, together with new or revised measures relating to the supply and use of renewable energy.

As renewable energy systems and applications develop and proliferate, it is becoming increasingly difficult to devise accurate quantifications of, for example, generating capacity and electrical output. Photovoltaic devices, especially when used off-grid, constitute a difficult area, as they are employed in a large number of applications, ranging in scale from miniscule amounts to a hundred or more megawatts.

The present review differs from the full Survey of Energy Resources in being entirely compiled by the Joint Editors from published material, rather than in part reflecting data and commentary provided by Member Committees of the World Energy Council. No questionnaires have been issued in this connection.

Bioenergy is possibly the hardest energy resource to quantify and furthermore is infrequently and inconsistently reported on a global basis. As the data and supporting commentary in the Country Notes on bioenergy in the full Survey of Energy Resources are almost entirely based upon information contributed by WEC Member Committees, the present update does not include a chapter on bioenergy.

Judy Trinnaman and Alan Clarke                       
Editors