How one city cut its electricity use over 30 % in six weeks

Panel: Panel 8. Dynamics of consumption

Author:
Alan Meier, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA

Abstract

In April 2008, an avalanche severed the transmission line delivering hydroelectric power to the city of Juneau, Alaska (population 31,000). As a result, the utility was forced to generate electricity with diesel, costing five times more. The utility expected that repairs to the transmission line would require about three months. This appeared to be a financial catastrophe for the city and especially for the 20% of homes relying on electricity for space heating.

In response, the citizens of Juneau undertook an unprecedented conservation campaign. Individuals turned off lights, lowered room temperatures in electrically-heated buildings, and installed compact fluorescent lamps. The city’s stores quickly ran out of insulation, fluorescent lamps, power strips, and other materials needed to conserve electricity. Two weeks after the avalanche the city, along with various local organizations, launched a coordinated campaign to disseminate information about the most effective conservation measures and to encourage further actions. Special programs were developed to target vulnerable groups. The city also planned to alert and educate the one million tourists expected to visit Juneau that summer on cruise liners so that they would not be deterred by darkened stores and to cooperate in conservation efforts.

In less than six weeks, Juneau’s total daily electricity consumption fell over 30%. Some reductions were a consequence of warmer temperatures and longer days but the net reduction compared to the previous year was 30%. The transmission line was repaired ahead of schedule, but electricity consumption did not return to pre-avalanche levels. Consumption remained about 10% lower than in the previous year.
In January 2009, a second avalanche cut the transmission line. Consumers cut use 10% in two days and the citizens expressed much less anxiety compared to the previous year. Juneau’s experience demonstrates the effectiveness of broad mobilization to save energy and extent to which the energy savings persist.