People as the Main Influence on Real Energy Consumption

Panel: Panel 4: Human Dimensions

Authors:
Peter Sattler, Institute of Electrical Power Systems, University of Technology Graz, Austria
M. Sakulin, Institute of Electrical Power Systems, University of Technology Graz, Austria
E. Schmautzer, Institute of Electrical Power Systems, University of Technology Graz, Austria
A. Gross, Institute of Electrical Power Systems, University of Technology Graz, Austria
W. Schöffer, Institute of Electrical Power Systems, University of Technology Graz, Austria

Abstract

The more reduction of energy consumption in the domestic sector becomes a theme of common interest, the more attention is focussed on efficient appliances. Various studies point out saving potentials of about thirty percent by replacing inefficient appliances by the best available.

While those technical potentials are well-known, little attention is directed to the user of the appliances. To show the major influence of users on energy consumption and to identify the resulting saving potentials, we performed the CUMBER-Project. In this project measurement of loadcurves of sixty households for more than one year is combined with two inquiries about the people living in these homes and their appliances. The first measurement results show how the need of electricity differs between homes, varies between summer and winter, between weekday and weekend and how it depends on other factors. Continuous measurement over the year also shows differences in electricity consumption for different applications and between families with different structure.

Figures for ?real technical saving potentials? based on real everyday conditions and the actual measured users behaviour are given. Furthermore the effect of a realization of these potentials on energy consumption and load curves can be estimated. As one of the most important results, possible points of impact for an effective realisation of ?real saving potentials? can be elaborated.