This paper uses the sequential panel selection method to examine the convergence of the energy use of 107 countries. It contributes by analyzing the order of convergence and the factors affecting the difference in convergence using improved methods. We provide robust evidence to indicate that seven out of ten countries have been convergent during the period examined, and strong decoupling across countries does not exist. Additionally, high-income and upper-middle-income countries show convergence characteristics earlier than lower middle-income and low-income countries. This means that high-income and upper-middle-income countries are the first to achieve steady-state levels by adjusting their industrial structure and adopting new technologies, and energy exporters have dominant control over energy use. We find that energy-exporting countries converge before energy importers do. These results mean that the energy use of most countries is in accordance with the convergence theory. It also shows that GDP per capita, industrialization level and latitude have great impacts on convergence, especially for industrialization. Our research provides a reference for countries around the world to adjust their energy use policies and to realize a rational flow of energy resources.

本文使用顺序面板选择方法来检验107个国家的能源使用趋同。它通过使用改进方法分析收敛顺序和影响收敛差异的因素来做出贡献。我们提供有力的证据表明，在审查期间，十分之七的国家处于趋同状态，而且各国之间不存在强烈的脱钩现象。此外，高收入和中高收入国家的融合特征要早于中低收入和低收入国家。这意味着高收入和中高收入国家率先通过调整其产业结构和采用新技术来达到稳态水平，并且能源出口商在能源使用方面拥有主要控制权。我们发现，能源出口国先于能源进口商汇合。这些结果意味着大多数国家的能源使用符合趋同理论。这也表明人均GDP，工业化水平和纬度对趋同影响很大，特别是对工业化。我们的研究为世界各国调整能源使用政策，实现能源合理流动提供参考。