Capital Formation, Capital Stock and Capital : Output Ratios. Concepts, Definitions, Data, 1850-1970

The Energy Program of IIASA looks into energy strategies for the transition from today's infrastructure into a future's energy system that permits the supply of very large and practically unlimited amounts of energy. Such supply systems tend to be very capital intensive. A kW at the end use side can easily cost $3000. In that case it is important to consider more generally the problem of capital formation. \n \nThe present compilation is an attempt by the IIASA Energy Program to review and compile relevant data. The IIASA energy program is primarily science and engineering oriented and does not claim to substitute for professional economic investigations. But nevertheless it is necessary to consider and evaluate the economic data pool as it appears to be available. So this paper is meant to serve as a working paper for the purposes of the IIASA program.