Seven Centuries of Energy Services: The Price and Use of Light in the United Kingdom (1300-2000)1

Abstract

Before the mid-eighteenth century, most people lived in near-complete darkness except in the presence of sunlight and moonlight. Since then, the provision of artificial light has been revolutionised by a series of innovations in appliances, fuels, infrastructures and institutions that have enabled the growing demands of economic development for artificial light to be met at dramatically lower costs: by the year 2000, while United Kingdom GDP per capita was 15 times its 1800 value, lighting services cost less than one three thousandth of their 1800 value, per capita use was 6,500 times greater and total lighting consumption was 25,000 times higher than in 1800. The economic history of light shows how focussing on developments in energy service provision rather than simply on energy use and prices can reveal the 'true' declines in costs, enhanced levels of consumption and welfare gains that have been achieved. While emphasising the value of past experience, the paper also warns against the dangers of over-reliance on past trends for the long-run forecasting of energy consumption given the potential for the introduction of new technologies and fuels, and for rebound and saturation effects.

The slow search for solutions: Lessons from historical energy transitions by sector and service

“…They also experienced short diffusion phases -40 years. All the ingredients were right from the start: as well as the high value placed on these lighting sources, the price of gas and kerosene lighting favoured them over candles, and prices fell (greater energy efficiency and lower fuel prices) with diffusion (Fouquet and Pearson 2006). …”

“…The lighting experience was radically different (Schivelbusch 1988) and allowed a great increase in lighting consumption (Fouquet and Pearson 2006).…”

Actors behaving badly: Exploring the modelling of non-optimal behaviour in energy transitions

“…Useful examples can be found in a variety of sources, such as the work of Fouquet and Pearson [44], Sovacool [45], Fouquet [46], and Wilson and Grübler [47]. Historically, transformative changes in energy have only taken place relatively slowly, over multi-decade timescales [48], in contrast to the rapid transitions often observed in models.…”

A brief history and the possible future of urban energy systems

“…Lamplighters were employed to light, trim and fill the lamps. By the end of the 17th century oil lamps were the dominant form of street lighting but increasing demand for higher quality lighting stimulated research into better forms of illumination and from the 1770s, the Royal Society handed out many prizes and awards for lighting improvements (Fouquet and Pearson, 2006). By the early 19th century there were 35,000 lamps lighting the streets of London utilising a lighting system that had changed little for perhaps a thousand years.…”