Energy services

It has long been recognised that energy is not consumed for its own sake but for the services that it provides. Despite this, the majority of energy policy and research remains firmly focused on energy itself: approaching it as a resource that is measured in units like kWh or cubic meters and that is knowingly and rationally acquired, used and managed. This chapter challenges interpretations of energy as a resource by developing and extending the concept of energy services. This approach generates new ideas and insights for those involved in reducing and managing energy demand.