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CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE OF FOOD RETAIL AND WHOLESALE: EFFECTS ON ENERGY DEMAND
Author(s) -
Kasanen Pirkko,
Savolainen Mikko
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
papers in regional science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.937
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1435-5957
pISSN - 1056-8190
DOI - 10.1111/j.1435-5597.1993.tb01885.x
Subject(s) - distribution (mathematics) , business , energy consumption , audit , energy (signal processing) , trips architecture , consumption (sociology) , energy conservation , environmental economics , agricultural economics , economics , transport engineering , engineering , mathematics , accounting , statistics , mathematical analysis , social science , electrical engineering , sociology
ABSTRACT This paper investigates the distribution chain of foodstuffs from the factory or port to the customer, from the point of view of the different energy inputs needed. Connections between the changes in the structure of the distribution system and changes in energy consumption are looked for. A model is developed for an energy audit of a distribution system. It is used to calculate the energy requirements of the Finnish food distribution system in the recent past, at present, and for a partial rearrangement of the system, i.e., with home deliveries replacing shopping trips by car. All parts of the distribution system have become more energy intensive as the structure of the distribution system has changed over time. The items related to households stand out as the largest energy consumers. The home delivery example shows an energy conservation potential worth pursuing further.