Abstract
It is imperative that Nigeria reduces wastage in residential electricity consumption and motivate energy saving behaviors through energy efficiency measures. These strategies aim to minimize frequent power sheds, which in turn increase reliability, thus benefiting the environment and electricity consumers. This article examines the effects of such innovative approaches to electricity savings in Nigeria through: 1) prepaid electricity metering systems and 2) fast replacements of inefficient and aging appliances. Relationships between residential electricity consumption, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint were also assessed vis-a-vis the replacement of old energy appliances and analogue electricity billing systems with more efficient devices and through prepaid metering systems, respectively. These techniques intend to promote energy saving behaviors. A System Dynamics model built on Stella platform, is used to analyze the implication of energy efficiency policy implementation on residential electricity consumption based on a simulation period of 41 years (2010 - 2050). Secondary data were sourced from the Bureau of Statistics, published articles, Nigerian power sector, World Bank, and primary data using cross sectional surveys of residential electricity consumers. Results, not only revealed that availability and utilization of prepaid electric meters and efficient appliances would motivate electricity saving behaviors, but also showed that efficient technologies could be the main drivers to future energy savings. Results also showed that carbon emissions were cut down by 45% in 2050. In addition, changes in electricity tariffs did not have any consequential effect on electricity consumption, but would rather influence electricity demand. Also, large number of occupant per house might have a negative impact on the Nigerian economic growth. Finally, results suggest that subsidies should be used on new household appliances as an effective energy policy measures. The developed model can be replicated in similar sectors in other emerging economies.
Highlights
It is estimated that about 1.1 billion persons still lack access to modern energy globally [1]
SD has been used for different studies to conduct simulation for energy development, electricity demand forecast, and system planning; these simulations include estimates of carbon emissions in developed and emerging economies [2832]
Electricity savings, efficiency, and energy consumptions were largely influenced by the parameters considered in the study, viz., use of prepaid meters for electricity billing, use of efficient household appliances, and household size
Summary
It is estimated that about 1.1 billion persons still lack access to modern energy globally [1]. These national efforts encompass enhancing the distribution system through use of prepaid metering infrastructures sand a reduction in analogue meters, which was a mere estimation billing scheme [15] It is crucial to explore drivers of electricity consumption in the residential sector and propose innovative approaches to curtail excesses in residential electricity consumption. This study adapts the use of a complex modeling approach to study the efficiency of residential electricity demand in its transition to support low carbon as panacea to energy security [19]. In as much as the transition process to low carbon will be a viable solution to the energy issues facing the Nigerian power sector [20], it, encourages the implementation of efficiency measures on customer premises [21] The realization of these schemes has been slowed down due to policy inconsistencies; this was significantly marked by the 2005 Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) document [11, 14].
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