数字经济是否增加能源消费?——基于ICT应用研究的分析

Does the Digital Economy Increase Energy Consumption?——Based on the Analysis of ICT Application Research Literature

以信息和通信技术(ICT)为基础的数字化技术迅速发展,一些研究认为数字经济的发展必然对能源消费产生重要影响,也有研究从不同角度证明了ICT对于提高能源效率具有重要作用。那么,数字经济迅速发展是否会引致能源需求(电力需求)的剧增,从而影响我国经济社会的绿色低碳转型?为此,从理论与现实视角对数字经济与能源消费的关系进行探讨,具有重要现实意义。作者围绕"ICT与能源消费效应"展开讨论,在厘清ICT与能源消费之间内在影响机制基础上,分别从ICT直接能源消费测算、ICT与能源消费经验研究及反弹效应的讨论三个方面,对现有研究所涉及的模型、方法及数据进行对比分析,进而加以总结概括,在指出不足的同时,对未来研究进行了展望。

Digital technology based on ICT is developing rapidly,and many organizations believe that the development of the digital economy will inevitably have an important impact on energy consumption.There are also many institutions and scholars proving the important role and potential of ICT in improving energy efficiency from different perspectives.Then,will the rapid development of the digital economy lead to a sharp increase in energy demand(electricity demand),thereby affecting the low-carbon and green transition of China’s economy and society? Therefore,it is of great practical significance to sort out the issues of digital economy and energy consumption from a theoretical and practical perspective.This article focuses on the theme of “ICT and energy consumption effects”,and first clarifies the internal influence mechanism between ICT and energy consumption.Then,from the three aspects of direct energy consumption estimation of ICT,empirical research on ICT and energy consumption,and discussion of rebound effect,compare the models,methods and data involved in the existing research,and try to summarize the consensus and shortcomings reached in the existing research,and further propose the research direction.