Summer electricity consumption and its drivers in urban areas

Abstract

The issue of energy consumption is receiving increasing attention due to the growth of the global population and urbanization rate. This study comprehensively analyzed the independent effects, spatial varying effects, and interactive effects of potential factors on summer electricity consumption (EC) by using the geographical detector and geographically weighted regression model. Finally, the study area was partitioned into clusters based on the GWR local coefficients to provide zonal customized policy implications. Results found that floor area ratio (FAR) was the key factor that influenced EC. As for independent effects, FAR independently explained 36.3% of the variance of the EC. As for spatial varying effects, the association between FAR and EC was found to be spatially non-stationary. This association was positive in high FAR regions and vice versa in low FAR regions. As for interaction effects, FAR ∩ land surface temperature was identified as the factor pair with the highest interactive explanatory power. Finally, the study area was divided into four clusters, and customized policy implications were proposed based on the local relationship between EC and factors. This study provides a new perspective for understanding urban energy consumption, which will contribute to sustainable development and energy consumption management.