Electric Energy Consumption Behavior of University Students

Abstract

As part of the global interest towards energy efficiency and low carbon emissions, an increased interest in electric energy consumption for end-users can be observed. Part of these initiatives concentrate on balancing the difference between generation and load curves and others on the study of human behavior and the possibility of engaging the end-user itself in this effort. In the same time, these studies highlight the difference between the theoretical load curves based on statistical information and used in planning activities and actual load curves of different types of users (e.g.: young professionals, families in large cities). In this context, the paper presents evidence of this difference based on a study performed for Politehnica University of Bucharest students. Some different aspects will be discussed: (1) students’ perception regarding their own consumption, (2) measured load curves for university dorms (3) the difference between these and classical load curves. The chosen sample, students living in a university campus is representative for future lead users in smart cities. Even more, this is the generation that needs to be aware of the residential consumption impact on the electric grid and to be involved in the effort to create sustainable local energy communities.