Household Energy Research Articles

Digital transformation and household energy consumption: Evidence from the “Broadband China” policy

Digital transformation has the potential to significantly impact household energy consumption (HEC) by promoting the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. This paper utilizes the time-varying Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to evaluate the causal effect of digital transformation on HEC within China's households. We find that HEC is positively impacted by digital transformation, as embodied by the "Broadband China" strategy; and the results remain reliable when many robustness tests are taken into account. Specifically, digital transformation has the potential to indirectly increase HEC by consumption upgrade and internet development mechanisms. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of digital transformation on HEC varies significantly across different household and regional. High-income, low skilled, rural areas, as well as households in areas with higher levels of development and marketization, are more likely to be affected by the digital revolution in production and consumption, which will inevitably lead to an increase in HEC. These insights are crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce HEC and promote sustainable development.

Optimizing energy consumption in smart buildings: A model for efficient energy management and renewable integration

In the current landscape of sustainable energy, integrating photovoltaic (PV) generation and electric vehicles (EVs) into household energy management systems (EMSs) has become a pivotal strategy to enhance grid sustainability in residential areas and provide economic benefits to homeowners. This article introduces an innovative approach to an energy administration framework designed for intelligent households, to seamlessly integrate EVs, both with and without PV generation. The proposed plan meticulously optimizes residential electricity expenses. It standardizes the load gradient using Time-of-Use (TOU) cost, residential electricity use fluctuations, PV generation patterns, and specific variables of EVs, including entry and exit times and charging statuses. The management method is divided into two distinct phases based on charging constraints and initial charge status. Stage A comprises three operational states contingent upon the availability of PV generation, while Stage B involves five operational states predicted based on anticipated PV generation. Through this research, the advanced control strategy facilitates precise adjustment of energy absorption by EVs from the grid and/or PV generation, along with injected energy derived from EVs to the grid. It ensures minimal residential electricity expenses and synchronizes the electrical load profiles. The findings indicate a significant reduction in residential electricity expenses and a substantial normalization of power load characteristics. Furthermore, simulation results emphasize the superior performance of the proposed plan for intelligent households fitted with both EVs and PV generation, compared to households with EVs alone, in terms of lowering expenses and normalizing load scenarios.

Sufficiency gains limited attention in Finnish climate policy on household consumption

The affluent lifestyles of the Global North are pushing the carrying capacity of the Earth to its limits. Despite technical improvements in energy efficiency and decarbonation, the carbon footprint of an average Finn continues to exceed the sustainable level. To critically assess both social and ecological aspects of overconsumption in households, sufficiency has gained attention in the research and policy fields. However, there is limited research into the ways in which sufficiency has been implemented in national climate policies guiding household energy consumption. In this article, I analyse the presence of sufficiency politics and policies in the Finnish Medium-term Climate Change Policy Plans of 2017 and 2022. The aim of the study was to find out whether the plans include references to deeper transformation of the socio-political and economic system towards sufficiency and in what ways the plans expect to steer or influence carbon-intensive household consumption in housing, mobility and nutrition. A close reading of the plans was conducted by utilising a modified version of the analytical framework created by Callmer and Bradley (2021). The findings show that sufficiency has not yet gained ground in Finnish climate policy. The sufficiency politics and policies found in the plans were not well-articulated and relied mostly on voluntary change. The macro-level conditions for and the potential macroeconomic impact of voluntary consumption reduction are largely ignored. This highlights the tendency of Finnish public policy to normalise unsustainable ways of consuming energy by disregarding the role of markets and economic growth in accelerating climate change.

Rule-based energy management strategies for PEMFC-based micro-CHP systems: A comparative analysis

Commercial PEMFC-based micro-CHP systems are operated by rule-based energy management strategies. Each of these strategies constitutes a different way to meet the household energy demand (following the heat demand, following the electricity demand, the maximum of the two, etc.). Previous studies demonstrate that which of them is the best —i.e. the one that manages to meet the demand at the lowest operating cost— depends on the particular scenario in which the micro-CHP system works (gas and electricity prices, annual energy demands, ability to export electricity to the grid, etc.). This paper aims to explore this dependence relationship and to deepen our understanding of it. To this end, a parametric analysis is conducted and the performances achieved by four rule-based operating strategies are compared. The parameters whose influence is studied, and through which the scenario is jointly characterized, are: (1) energy prices (electricity and natural gas), (2) feed-in tariff, (3) stack degradation, (4) climate and (5) heat to power ratio of the demand. The results show this dependence relationship in a clear and more comprehensive way, and offer a better understanding of its nature. From this improved understanding it can be inferred, among other things, that adapting the strategy to the scenario can generate annual savings of up to 14.5 percentage points. Moreover, this enhanced characterization of that dependence relationship can be useful for the design of a new operating strategy, a strategy that, without falling into the complexity that an optimal energy management approach (based on linear programming) involves, manages to exploit the savings potential of micro-CHP systems, thus facilitating their future mass commercialization.

Integrated rooftop solar PV-based residential advanced energy management system: An economic involvement of energy systems for prosumers

The growing adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, coupled with the ability to sell surplus energy back to the national grid, presents a promising opportunity for residential energy management. This research introduces an innovative Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) that integrates rooftop solar PV with energy-efficient appliances, offering a transformative approach to optimizing household energy consumption. By leveraging advanced demand-side management (DSM) techniques, the AEMS enables users to strategically shift energy usage away from peak hours, thereby reducing reliance on grid energy and minimizing costs. Empirical evaluations reveal that the AEMS significantly outperforms conventional energy management systems, achieving cost reductions of 28.59–35.48 %. The user-friendly interface and robust optimization strategies of the proposed model ensure operational efficiency, making it a valuable tool for maximizing energy savings and enhancing grid stability. Focusing on the specific context of Bangladesh, this study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, demonstrating the practical applicability and long-term sustainability of suggested AEMS. The findings underscore the potential of the proposed model to revolutionize residential energy management, positioning it as a key enabler of both economic and environmental benefits for prosumers in emerging markets.

Analysis of home thermal energy conservation and green environment design based on intelligent devices and optical image monitoring

Global climate change and energy crisis are becoming increasingly serious, and household energy consumption occupies a certain proportion in the overall energy consumption. The purpose of this study is to analyze thermal energy use in home environment through intelligent devices and optical image monitoring technology, so as to achieve effective energy conservation and environmental optimization design. In this paper, intelligent sensors and optical image monitoring equipment are used to monitor and collect the thermal energy consumption of different households in real time. At the same time, data analysis technology is used to deeply analyze the heat flow, heat loss and equipment use efficiency in the home. The study compares the effect of traditional energy-saving methods and intelligent monitoring technology. After implementing targeted optimization design through intelligent monitoring equipment, the overall thermal energy saving rate is higher, and the comfort level and green index of the home environment are significantly improved. The results show that intelligent equipment and optical image monitoring technology show a good application prospect in home thermal energy saving. Through accurate monitoring and data analysis, heat energy waste can be effectively identified, so as to take corresponding measures to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction, and promote the landing of green environmental design.

Household Wattch: Exploring Opportunities for Surveillance and Consent through Families’ Household Energy Use Data

Household energy use data may contain sensitive inferences into family life, yet its potential for surveillance is imperfectly understood. To explore this space, we developed Household Wattch, a speculative eco-feedback ‘provotype’ that profiles households according to their energy use data. Evaluated by 16 participants from Australian households engaged in an 18-month energy use monitoring trial, Household Wattch elicited users’ perceptions and expectations about a near future where energy use data is a useful yet potentially sensitive commodity when analysed. We highlight challenges and opportunities for energy use data across three scales: (1) Within the household, (2) Beyond the household (e.g., sharing energy data with third parties) and (3) Post-household (e.g., what happens to energy data when a household re-configures or disbands). Findings suggest users may require support in understanding the sensitivities of their energy use data, particularly when deciding whether to share it with third parties. Opportunities exist for accidental or deliberate surveillance via energy use data, and these need to be identified and managed. Provotypes represent a useful tool for navigating this space, and we provide considerations for how they can support users in speculating over possible energy futures.

The impact of land-use policy on household energy transition: Evidence from China's conversion of cropland to forestland program

The implementation of the Conversion of Cropland to Forestland Program (CCFP) has affected land-use patterns and biomass availability in China, consequently reshaping household energy consumption patterns. Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study employs a multinomial logit model to examine the impact of CCFP subsidies on household energy transitions, analyzed through the lenses of the energy ladder and energy types. Additionally, this study differentiates the effects of CCFP subsidies across households with varying characteristics. The empirical results reveal that, from the energy ladder perspective, CCFP subsidies hinder household energy transitions from biomass to both traditional and advanced commercial energy sources. From the energy type perspective, the subsidies impede transitions from biomass energy to coal, electricity, and LPG/LNG. These adverse effects may be attributed to the CCFP subsidy's role in increasing biomass supply and encouraging the use of biomass energy equipment. Moreover, the impacts of CCFP subsidies differ among households based on education level, location, and degree of engagement in farming. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering land use policies and patterns in the formulation of energy policies aimed at promoting energy transition and alleviating energy poverty.

Pengaruh Konsumsi Energi Sektor Industri, Rumah Tangga, dan Transportasi terhadap Emisi Karbon di Indonesia

Greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly carbon emissions, are one of the effects of globalization. Consumption of energy for daily activities and necessities influences the rise in carbon emissions. From 1990 to 2021, this study will look at how energy use in the transportation, household, and industrial sectors affects Indonesia's carbon emissions. The research approach is a quantitative one based on secondary time series data sourced from the International Energy Agency (IEA) website. Multiple linear regression analysis methods are used to conduct the analysis. Energy consumption in the household sector has a negative and significant impact on Indonesia's carbon emissions from 1990 to 2021, while energy consumption in the industrial and transportation sectors has a positive and significant impact. The household sector has reduced its use of biomass, switched to electricity and LPG, and implemented energy efficiency. The research suggests that the use of energy in the transportation and industrial sectors has a positive impact due to their continued reliance on fossil fuel-derived non-renewable energy. The fact that an increase in household energy use will result in a decrease in carbon emissions, which can contribute to an improvement in the quality of the environment, indicates that the negative impact of household energy use is actually positive.

For cash, the planet, or for both: Evaluating an informational intervention for energy consumption reduction

Reductions in residential energy demand (especially by high-consuming households) are critical for climate change mitigation. Interventions that inform people about their energy use and its consequences may encourage them to reduce energy consumption, but such informational interventions have not always been found to be effective. In addition, little is known about the factors that determine the effectiveness of informational interventions. Here, we examined the effect of an informational intervention campaign on household energy use (electricity and gas) in Mechelen, Belgium. Neighborhoods were randomized to different variants of the intervention that emphasized the monetary, environmental, or monetary and environmental consequences of saving energy. Across a three-year study period, we observed significantly larger reductions (two additional percentage points) in gas consumption in the intervention city than in four comparable control cities. This effect was largely driven by reductions in neighborhoods with high baseline levels of gas consumption. No substantial changes were found between neighborhoods that received monetary information, environmental information, or both. Our findings support the effectiveness of informational interventions for the reduction of energy use, point to the special role of high-consuming households, and can inform the design of future intervention campaigns.

State-Level Household Energy Insecurity and Diabetes Prevalence Among US Adults, 2020.

The objective of this study was to examine the state-level association between household energy insecurity and diabetes prevalence in 2020. We obtained 1) state-level data on household energy characteristics from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey and 2) diagnosed diabetes prevalence from the US Diabetes Surveillance System. We found states with a higher percentage of household energy insecurity had greater diabetes prevalence compared with states with lower percentages of energy insecurity. Interventions related to energy assistance may help reduce household energy insecurity, mitigate the risk of diabetes-related complications, and alleviate some of the burden of diabetes management during extreme temperatures.

StreetTalk: exploring energy insecurity in New York City using a novel street intercept interview and social media dissemination method

This study introduces StreetTalk, an original qualitative research methodology inspired by social media influencers, to investigate perceptions and experiences of energy insecurity among New York City (NYC) residents. Briefly, energy insecurity is defined as difficulty meeting household energy needs due to affordability, housing quality, outages and coping strategies. This present study employs dynamic short-form interviews with 34 participants from all five NYC boroughs of diverse economic, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Thematic analysis of video-recorded interviews revealed six major energy insecurity-related categories: (1) conservation and trade-offs, (2) physical inefficiencies, (3) thermal agency, (4) response to the bill, (5) disappointment and distrust in energy-related authorities, and (6) desire for and barriers to clean energy adoption. These themes provide insight into NYC residents’ experiences with energy insecurity and are consistent with prior research. Beyond new scholarly insights, this study introduces StreetTalk, an innovative qualitative research methodology emphasizing rapid data collection and dissemination through social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube (@hotandcold_nyc). Taking advantage of modern technology and modes of communication, the research team was able to effectively break down barriers to academic research consumption as the videos achieved substantial engagement, with almost 200,000 views and impressions within the first year of launching this novel street-based data collection and social media dissemination campaign.

The rise in female consciousness contributes to advancing household energy transition: Evidence from Chinese households

Gender is an indispensable dimension, gender equality and empowering all women are core elements in transitioning to sustainable energy. However, current research on how female consciousness impact energy fairness remains insufficient. To fill this gap, utilizing data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), encompassing 16,000 households and 43,147 respondents, we explore how female consciousness influences energy transition. The findings reveal that a rise in female consciousness contributes to advancing household energy transition, particularly in eastern and urban areas where this effect is more pronounced. Further moderating effect analyses indicate that improved levels of female education and heightened female income further enhance the effective utilization of female awareness in driving household energy transition. The study not only deepen our understanding of the relationship between female consciousness and energy transition but also provide a scientific basis for developing energy policies promoting gender equality in developing countries, thus fostering global gender equality and sustainable energy development.

Development of real-time energy monitoring system using IoT base

This paper aims to develop a real-time energy monitoring system based on smart metering to enhance energy efficiency in the single-phase residential sector. Based on the concept of low-cost IoT devices, this intelligent meter system is designed to monitor household energy consumption. It provides real-time information on a graphical Node-RED Dashboard, making it easy for households to track and manage their energy usage. The hardware of the power metering system included the Node MCU ESP8266, the PZEM-004T, and a cloud server built on the Raspberry Pi for storing electricity consumption data by using Node-RED to connect devices via an application programming interface system. This system can help analyze the electricity consumption behavior in the residential sector. It is a guideline for selecting the electricity rate between the TOD and TOU rates. The results found that in the electrical energy measurements of households 1 and 2, the mean deviations were 0.8758% and 0.5523%, respectively. The electricity cost-saving results when changing the electricity tariff from the TOD rate of households 1 and 2 to the TOU rate. It was found that electricity costs can be saved by 0.2807% and 1.0936%, respectively. The most critical variable is electricity consumption during peak periods. In the case study of household 1, if the electricity consumption during the peak period is less than 13%, it will be appropriate to select the Time of Use rate. In household 2, if there is electricity consumption during the peak period, less than 38% would be appropriate to choose the type of electricity user with a TOU rate.

Passive techniques for the thermal performance enhancement of flat plate solar collector: A comprehensive review

One of the most abundantly available non-conventional energy sources is solar energy. The advantages of solar energy are that it is freely available, sustainable, non-exhaustible, pollution-free, etc. Many thermal energy technologies are frequently employed to utilize solar energy for different household, agricultural, residential, and industrial applications. A flat plate solar collector (FPSC) is one of the most popular devices for harvesting solar energy and transforming solar radiation into useful heat. The low thermal performance of FPSC is one of its major disadvantages. The performance of the FPSC can be enhanced using active, passive, and mixed methods. In this article, various thermal performance enhancement techniques of FPSC, including design and modification, use of inserts, selective coating, nanofluid, phase change material, mini/microchannels, and transparent insulation material, are discussed. The use of nanomaterial coatings can reduce the convection and radiation losses from the FPSC. High absorptivity black nickel nanoparticles make them excellent for selective coatings. The performance of FPSC with CuO/water nanofluid was more efficient than that of other metal oxides. The performance of a minichannel integrated FPSC is better than that of conventional type because of its direct contact with water, which enhances the heat transfer rate. The most recent technological development of enhanced FPSC discussed in this article will be very useful to the scientific community.

A comprehensive review of biofuel utilization for household cooking in developing countries: Economic and environmental impacts

The global energy consumption for household cooking is substantial, comprising approximately 90 % of total household energy usage worldwide. Research indicates that in 2002, food-related energy consumption averaged 340 million BTU (approximately 359 million J) per person. With the current global population exceeding 7 billion, this translates to an estimated annual energy consumption for cooking of 2.380×1018 BTU (2.519 ×1021 J). A significant portion of this energy is derived from the combustion of firewood, contributing to deforestation, CO2 emissions, and the release of toxic gases, which in turn, exacerbates environmental pollution and poses health risks. Household cooking, heating, and lighting activities in developing countries account for about 58 % of the black carbon emissions globally. Recognizing clean cooking as a crucial solution to mitigate climate change, there is growing interest in utilizing biomass as a source for biofuels and bioenergy. The comparative diminishing in greenhouse gas emissions from renewable fuels compared to conventional fossil fuels, along with the sustainable nature of these technological advancements, has spurred increased research into biofuel technology. To address energy poverty, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, comprehensive and expedited efforts are needed to expand and enhance access to clean cooking solutions. Consequently, this article explores the potential of biofuels as viable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels for household cooking, focusing on their economic and environmental implications.

Household Energy Poverty in the Context of Socioeconomic Status and Area of Residence: A Comparison of Central and Southern Punjab

Researchers have increasingly focused on the impact of energy poverty across various sectors of the economy. This paper aims to identify the determinants of household energy poverty in Central and Southern Punjab, Pakistan, utilizing the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey Data from 2017-18. The analysis employs descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to assess the influence of various socioeconomic and demographic factors on multidimensional energy poverty. The survey results indicate a disparity between the two regions, with just over 50 percent of respondents reporting energy poverty. The education level of the household head, wealth status, and place of residence are critical factors influencing multidimensional energy poverty. The findings highlight the substantial influence of socioeconomic factors on household energy poverty and underscore the necessity for effective policies to address these challenges.

Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of Hybrid Power Systems for Rural Areas: A Case Study of Bingöl

Today, many factors, especially the increasing world population and developing technology, increase the energy needs of people and societies day by day. The fact that fossil resources are both in danger of depletion and have negative environmental impacts has directed countries to new resources. The study focuses on the effective use of renewable energy sources (RES) and the evaluation of waste to meet the electricity and heat energy needs of Yiğit Harman Village, located in the Solhan district of Bingöl Province. For this purpose, a renewable-energy-based combined heat and power system (CHP) was designed using HOMER Pro software (version 3.14.2, Homer Energy LLC, Boulder, CO, USA). Solar, wind, biomass, and hydrogen energy sources were used, considering the resources of the region. Using the designed model, the entire electricity energy requirement and half of the heat energy were completely met by the region’s available RESs. In addition to the technical analysis, economic and environmental analyses were also conducted, and LCOE, NPC, and CO2 emission values were obtained as 0.271 USD/kWh, USD 739,772, and 37,958 kg/yr, respectively. These results indicate that with an investment of approximately USD 7000 per household, the electrical and thermal energy needs for 25 years can be met.

Strategic operation of electric vehicle in residential microgrid with vehicle-to-home features

The urgent need for innovative energy solutions to facilitate the transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) is particularly critical in developing countries, where high emissions and grid reliability challenges persist. This study investigates an off-grid residential renewable energy system with stationary storage like battery and hydrogen, alongside an EV as mobile storage. A bi-level optimization framework is established considering stationary and mobile energy storage options and a strategy is proposed to implement Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) in off-gird settings. Three cases are studied, with optimal component sizing determined using an optimization tool integrated with MATLAB. Firstly, to determine the most cost-effective stationary storage alternative, Case 1 uses hydrogen and Case 2 employs a battery as storage. Then Case 3 integrates the optimal stationary storage with mobile storage using V2H technology enabling the EV to support household energy needs during peak times. Results highlight that combining stationary and mobile storage (Case 3) offers a 15.92% reduction in Total Net Present Cost (TNPC) and a 13.9% reduction in Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) compared with stationary storage alone. This off-grid system (Case 3) also outperforms the conventional grid economically and environmentally, offering 2.13× TNPC reduction and 7,813 kg/yr carbon emissions mitigation.

Modeling associations between household energy use and ambient PM2.5 levels using low-cost sensors in rural Tamil Nadu, India

Modeling associations between household energy use and ambient PM2.5 levels using low-cost sensors in rural Tamil Nadu, India