Net Energy Ratio, EROEI and the Macroeconomy

In an input-output model of a two-sector economy (energy and man- ufacturing), we analyse the macroeconomic implications of the quality of secondary energy production. We measure it by the Net Energy Ratio (NER), i.e. the fraction of produced energy available for net final produc- tion. NER is shown to be related to the EROEI concept encountered in energy science and to affect a) the energy intensiveness of final output, b) the capital requirements of the two sectors of the economy and the av- erage productivity of capital, c) the rate of capital accumulation and the growth rate of the economy at given saving rate. As a consequence, an energy transition characterized by a decreasing NER would exert a drag on economic growth.