Energy conservation programmes A review of state initiatives in the USA

In the USA states have initiated four types of non-utility programmes to promote energy conservation and renewable energy: tax incentives, grant and loan programmes, regulations and standards, and research and development programmes. Based on a survey, there is a wide variation among the states in the extent to which these programmes have been initiated and implemented. The states have conducted few evaluation studies assessing the effectiveness of their programmes. There appear to be two factors influencing a state's involvement in these programmes: the dependence of the state on outside energy sources and the political nature of the state.     

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by inducing energy conservation and distributed generation from elimination of electric utility customer charges

This paper quantifies the increased greenhouse gas emissions and negative effect on energy conservation (or “efficiency penalty”) due to electric rate structures that employ an unavoidable customer charge. First, the extent of customer charges was determined from a nationwide survey of US electric tariffs. To eliminate the customer charge nationally while maintaining a fixed sum for electric companies for a given amount of electricity, an increase of 7.12% in the residential electrical rate was found to be necessary. If enacted, this increase in the electric rate would result in a 6.4% reduction in overall electricity consumption, conserving 73 billion kW h, eliminating 44.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and saving the entire US residential sector over $8 billion per year. As shown here, these reductions would come from increased avoidable costs, thus leveraging an increased rate of return on investments in energy efficiency, energy conservation behavior, distributed energy generation, and fuel choices. Finally, limitations of this study and analysis are discussed and conclusions are drawn for proposed energy policy changes.     

Evaluating utility residential energy conservation programmes: an overview of an EPRI workshop

The Electric Power Research Institute sponsored a two-day workshop, ‘Measuring the Effects of Utility Conservation Programs’, in February 1982. The workshop featured 10 presentations by electric utility analysts on several subjects related to evaluation of utility residential energy conservation programmes. This paper summarizes the major themes and findings of the workshops. The workshop papers are published in the Proceedings, available from EPRI.     

Estimating energy savings due to conservation programmes: The BPA residential weatherization pilot programme

The Bonneville Power Administration operated a residential weatherization pilot programme from 1980 to 1982. The programme provided free home energy audits to more than 7000 electrically heated homes in the Pacific Northwest and gave zero-interest loans to weatherize over 4000 of these homes. The total cost of the programme was $11 million. This paper describes several mehtods used to estimate the net energy-saving effect of the BPA programme (ie the electricity saving that could be directly attributed to the programme). The simplest method ivolves estimation of weather adjusted annual electricity consumption for each household. The second approach uses this weather adjusted consumption as the dependent variable in a pooled time-series cross-section regression model of electricity use. The third approach involves estimation of qualitative choice models of the decisions to retrofit and to participate in the BPA programme. Results from these models are used to define Mills ratio terms that are then used as explanatory variables in the regression model of the second approach. The range in estimated programme saving, given the diversity of analytical methods used, is surprisingly small — 3100–3300 kWh/year per average programme participant.     

Quantitative assessment of energy conservation due to public awareness campaigns using neural networks

This case study aims to quantitatively assess the impact of an energy conservation campaign that was launched under the name “Trsheed” in Kuwait in the summer of 2007. Most electric energy (EE) consumption in the summer in the country is used in air conditioning and past trends indicate a strong correlation between ambient weather conditions and energy demand. The size and attitude of the population is an important factor in this regard; Kuwait has an expatriate population that is larger than the indigent population, and whose size is closely linked to economic activities that are largely dependent on oil revenues and varies with fluctuations of oil prices. Three neural network architectures (NNs) were evaluated in terms of their ability to estimate future EE demand based on previous trends. Backpropagation neural networks were found to be most suitable for this purpose in comparison to General Regression and Polynomial NNs. The inputs to the NNs investigated included hourly weather condition indicators; specifically the dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity. The output of the NNs was the hourly energy demand. An analysis based on actual weather data from 2004 to 2007 was performed to gauge the impact of the energy conservation campaign in the summer of 2007. Results of a second NN analysis show that round-the-clock mean weather conditions may be used to predict total future energy demand over a period of time (daily, weekly or monthly), but future peak loads should be estimated separately using mean weather conditions during peak hours only. Savings in national energy demand, as a result of future conservation campaigns, are estimated to be more than 5% and 4% in total and peak demands, respectively.     

Implementing China’s national energy conservation policies at state-owned electric power generation plants

China’s 11th Five-Year Guideline identified energy conservation as one of the country’s fundamental policies and established a mandatory target: 20% reduction in national average energy intensity by 2010. Despite the various policies, laws, and administrative reforms to support energy conservation, China fell behind schedule for meeting its conservation targets in 2006 and 2007. Using a combination of available literature and an interview-based case study, this paper examines the implementation of energy conservation and investigates impediments to achieving China’s conservation goal in the electric power generation sector. Three key impediments are detailed: (1) municipal governments’ incentives to overlook conservation-related central directives primarily because of budget pressures linked to financial decentralization, (2) procedural obstacles in the form of time required to obtain project approvals for high-efficiency power generation units, and (3) financial obstacles making it difficult for power generation enterprises to raise capital for energy conservation projects. An interview-based case study of a state-owned coal-fired electric power generation company demonstrates the influence of the aforementioned obstacles. While procedural obstacles are notable, they can be managed. However, electricity pricing reforms and/or stronger subsidy programs will be needed to address the financial obstacles facing Chinese power generation companies.     

Net benefits of energy conservation in housing

The computer program FREDOCAN allows one to assess the impact of energy conservation policies on the household sector due to thermal insulation measures and to various options concerning domestic heating plants. the insulation policy must be specified, giving in input to the program the housing stock and the fraction of dwellings to be insulated as a function of time. the different insulation measures are evaluated both separately and in a combined way. the evaluations are performed both from financial and energy analysis point of view, determining the internal rates of return of the investments, financial and energy pay-back times under static and dynamic conditions. The space heat savings evaluated in the first part of the program allow one to calculate, in the second part, additional savings due to the reduction of the investments required for the heating plants. It is also possible to assess the variation with time of the heating plant mix, taking into account of improved efficiencies and different energy sources. A test case for the North of Italy is described. It shows that a very simple insulation of both existing and new houses limits the growth of energy demand to only 18 per cent above the 1977 consumption levels, although the combined effects of new constructions and of an extensive upgrading of heating systems would require a 75 per cent energy demand increase.     

A simpler method for calculating the cost of conservation subsidies for an electric utility

This article presents a highly aggregated method of calculating the cost of conservation subsidies for an electric utility company. The cost is expressed in terms of the company's total expenditures on subsidies versus the reduction in electricity demand due to customers' extra conservation investments. We argue that the highly aggregated method would serve as a useful complement to the detailed programme by programme calculations normally performed to determine conservation cost-effectiveness. The simpler method is demonstrated with an application to the conservation programmes of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.     

Communications on energy Household energy conservation

This study assesses the influence of attitudinal and socio-economic factors on household energy conservation actions. A household interview survey in Regina, Saskatchewan found that respondents perceive an energy problem, although no association with energy conservation actions was determined. Two attitudinal and five socio-economic variables influence household energy conservation. Energy and monetary savings are available to households through energy conservation. Public awareness of household energy conservation through the media can reinforce existing energy conservation actions and encourage new actions.     

Potential problems and limitations of energy conservation and energy efficiency

We discuss that whilst energy conservation and energy efficiency both ultimately have the same goal they attempt to achieve this via very different approaches. We then discuss how both options face significant barriers to ultimately successfully reduce electricity consumption.     

Assessment of the Turkish utility sector through energy and exergy analyses

The present study deals with evaluating the utility sector in terms of energetic and exergetic aspects. In this regard, energy and exergy utilization efficiencies in the Turkish utility sector over a wide range of period from 1990 to 2004 are assessed in this study. Energy and exergy analyses are performed for eight power plant modes, while they are based on the actual data over the period studied. Sectoral energy and exergy analyses are conducted to study the variations of energy and exergy efficiencies for each power plants throughout the years, and overall energy and exergy efficiencies are compared for these power plants. The energy utilization efficiencies for the overall Turkish utility sector range from 32.64% to 45.69%, while the exergy utilization efficiencies vary from 32.20% to 46.81% in the analyzed years. Exergetic improvement potential for this sector are also determined to be 332 PJ in 2004. It may be concluded that the methodology used in this study is practical and useful for analyzing sectoral and subsectoral energy and exergy utilization to determine how efficient energy and exergy are used in the sector studied. It is also expected that the results of this study will be helpful in developing highly applicable and productive planning for energy policies.     

Consumer energy conservation policy An analytical approach

To capture the potential energy savings available in the consumer sector an analytical approach to conservation policy is proposed. A policy framework is described and the key constructs including a payoff matrix analysis and a consumer impact analysis are discussed. Implications derived from the considerable amount of prior consumer research are provided to illustrate the effect on the design and implementation of future programmes. The result of this analytical approach to conservation policy — economic stability and economic security — are goals well worth pursuing.     

Impact of organizational factors on energy conservation measures

The authors discuss the design and implementation of social regulation of energy conservation based on some empirical studies of various kinds of public organizations and private business firms in Sweden. A major point is that the result of regulatory measures may be affected by organizational characteristics and particularly by the general goals of the regulated organizations. The impact of various administrative, economic and informative measures of energy conservation in existing buildings in Sweden are discussed against this background and relevant questions of public policy are outlined.     

Energy efficiency as a preferred resource: evidence from utility resource plans in the Western US and Canada

This article examines the future role of energy efficiency as a resource in the Western US and Canada, as envisioned in the most recent resource plans issued by 16 utilities, representing about 60% of the region’s load. Utility and third-party-administered energy-efficiency programs proposed by 15 utilities over a 10-year horizon would save almost 19,000 GWh annually, about 5.2% of forecast load. There are clear regional trends in the aggressiveness of proposed energy savings. California’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs) had the most aggressive savings targets, followed by IOUs in the Pacific Northwest, and the lowest savings were proposed by utilities in Inland West states and by two public utilities on the West Coast. The adoption of multiple, aggressive policies targeting energy efficiency and climate change appears to produce sizeable energy-efficiency commitments. Certain specific policies, such as mandated energy savings goals for California’s IOUs and energy-efficiency provisions in Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, had a direct impact on the level of energy savings included in the resource plans. Other policies, such as revenue decoupling and shareholder incentives and voluntary or legislatively mandated greenhouse gas emission reduction policies, may have also impacted utilities’ energy-efficiency commitments, though the effects of these policies are not easily measured. Despite progress among the utilities in our sample, more aggressive energy-efficiency strategies that include high-efficiency standards for additional appliances and equipment, tighter building codes for new construction and renovation, as well as more comprehensive ratepayer-funded energy-efficiency programs are likely to be necessary to achieve a region-wide goal of meeting 20% of electricity demand with efficiency in 2020.

Analysis of sectoral energy conservation in Malaysia

The electrical energy consumption in Malaysia has increased sharply in the past few years, and modern energy efficient technologies are desperately needed for the national energy policy. This article presents a comprehensive picture of the current status of energy consumption and various energy conservation options viable for Malaysian environment. A detailed survey is made to assess the consumption pattern and the existing techniques for energy efficiency. Based on the survey, the feasibility of improving the available systems and adopting new programs in different sectors is investigated. The study reveals the fact that the energy conservation policy of the country has been fairly improved in the last ten years. However the country has to pay more attention to this area and make urgent measures to adopt more energy efficient technologies in various sectors.     

工业锅炉的节能技术措施

针对我国工艺锅炉的能源消耗状况、管道的有效利用、管道保温达到的性能指标分析及热水供暖的技术要求与供热系统和热网设计中的节电措施,进行了技术分析并提出了解决对策,同时介绍降低能耗的几种方式。     

Energy conservation and emission reduction policies for the electric power industry in China

Because of China's increasingly limited energy supplies and serious environmental pollution, much attention has been paid to conserving energy and reducing emissions to help the country's economy achieve sustainable development. As the electric power industry is the largest consumer of coal resources in China and also emits high levels of air pollutants each year, the Chinese government has enacted many technical and economic policies for energy conservation and emission reduction in the last few years. These policies are summarized in this paper, along with relevant laws and medium- and long-term plans, all of which address ideas such as adjusting the power generation mix, promoting demand-side management, introducing energy-efficient scheduling, and installing desulfurization units. The paper also assesses the results of these policies by analyzing several key indicators of energy consumption and emissions. The analysis shows that although some progress has been made in conserving energy and reducing emissions, substantial work is still required for China to catch up with developed countries. Some suggestions for future work are provided.     

Consumer energy conservation policy in Canada: Behavioural and institutional obstacles

This paper posits that if consumer energy conservation policy is to succeed in Canada, both behavioural and institutional obstacles must be identified and overcome. The behavioural barriers, identified through a national household survey, include consumer resistance to policies that affect their life-styles. The institutional barriers obtained from a series of interviews with government officials, include weak federal-provincial relations. Viewed from a federal perspective, these obstacles are discussed and then linked to policy types. A prior understanding of the obstacles which a particular programme type is likely to face should allow more effective execution of the programme and enhance the probability of success.     

Energy conservation by using energy efficient electric motors

This paper deals with energy conservation by installing energy-efficient (EE) motors instead of standard efficiency motors. This transition become a necessity as a direct result of limitation in energy sources and escalating energy prices. As electric motors use about three quarters of the total electric energy in Bahrain, attempts to conserve the energy consumed by electric motors recently received intensive research efforts. Therefore, the energy efficiencies of energy efficient motors are compared with those of standard efficiency motors ranging from 5 to 300 HP. To provide more clarification in this regard, full design details of 200 HP standard-efficiency and energy-efficient motors are compared. Pay back periods when replacing standard-efficiency motors with energy-efficient motors, with reference to Bahrain's market, have been discussed. Finally the energy-conservation capability of EE motors in the petrochemical industry has been discussed.     

The economics of energy conservation through top-up loft insulation

A social cost-benefit analysis is conducted of retrofit top-up insulation of partly insulated lofts in UK houses. For almost all lofts with less than 100 mm of insulation currently in place, retrofit top-up insulation is socially beneficial. Inefficiencies in the housing market justify a programme of government subsidies of top-up insulation. Estimates are computed of the number of households likely to respond to such a programme of subsidies. The estimated response appears highly sensitive to the size of subsidy and the time horizons of households.