Is the analysis scale crucial to assess energy poverty? analysis of yearly and monthly assessments using the 2 M indicator in the south of Spain

Abstract

Energy poverty has been addressed as a global problem. Many studies have been conducted, and several indicators have been established to detect energy poverty. However, most analyses have been performed at a yearly level without considering the differences throughout the year. This study performed a sensitivity analysis to determine these differences using the 2 M indicator in 36,230,400 case studies in the south of Spain, which is a warm zone with great energy poverty, as well as vulnerable to climate change effects. The results showed that monthly assessment could increase energy poverty situations in the months with greater climate severity, compared to yearly assessment. That increase in winter and summer months raised energy poverty cases over 20 %, with these months being those with greater vulnerability due to cold and heat waves, respectively. The results also showed that variations were independent of both the technical characteristics of the dwelling and the use of HVAC systems. Energy poverty cases were reduced only in the summer months with the adaptive approach, which considers thermal adaptation. The use of the 2 M indicator in monthly scales can detect vulnerable family units that cannot be detected by yearly studies, so monthly scales are crucial for governments to adopt energy poverty policies and strategies.