How do household activities drive electricity demand? Applying activity-based modelling in the context of the United Kingdom
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Pawlak, Jacek
Faghih Imani, Ahmadreza
Sivakumar, Aruna
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Driven by the necessity to increase utilisation of the existing networks and accommodation of volatility in renewable energy generation, the energy sector is undergoing a shift from an unconstrained infrastructure expansion to accommodate growth in demand towards demand management strategies. Such strategies, for example nudging demand using incentives such as price signals, or Demand Side Response (DSR), rely on the ability to accurately understand and harness flexibility in demand. Activity-based demand modelling frameworks can provide this capability, as they enable the detailed modelling and simulation of individuals and their activities. However, to date, no modelling approach has been proposed that can link energy consumption of a household to the activities undertaken, heterogeneity of the household residents, presence and use of household appliances and devices as well as weather and energy system-related variables. This paper addresses the gap by proposing a log-linear mixed-effects model of energy consumption based on reported household activities alongside a comprehensive set of attributes and contextual variables that might influence household energy consumption. Application of the model is demonstrated using joint time-use and residential electricity consumption data from 160 households, collected between 2016 and 2018 in the UK. The modelling results prove the value of incorporating time-use (activities) in modelling residential
electricity demand, when compared against modelling without such considerations. Furthermore, the model provides (semi-)elasticities of demand and marginal changes in electricity consumption due to activities, which are of direct policy value or serve as inputs into activity-based energy demand simulation.
electricity demand, when compared against modelling without such considerations. Furthermore, the model provides (semi-)elasticities of demand and marginal changes in electricity consumption due to activities, which are of direct policy value or serve as inputs into activity-based energy demand simulation.
Date Issued
2021-12
Date Acceptance
2021-09-16
Citation
Energy Research and Social Science, 2021, 82, pp.1-18
ISSN
2214-6296
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
18
Journal / Book Title
Energy Research and Social Science
Volume
82
Copyright Statement
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Housing & Development Board
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629621004102?via%3Dihub
Grant Number
EP/R045518/1
CODSE_P55534
Subjects
1604 Human Geography
1605 Policy and Administration
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-10-08