Energy Conservation and Risk of Electric Outage: Laboratory Experimental Study
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 3
Abstract
In recent decades, climate change and resource limitations have become serious problems. To overcome these problems, many countries promote the introduction of renewable energy. However, the diffusion of renewable energy requires a novel supply and demand system for electricity. One remarkable method of controlling electricity demand is a demand-side control based on dynamic pricing. This study analyzes electricity consumption behavior using laboratory experiments. In particular, the authors focus on the effect of supply limitations on consumption behavior. The results of the experiment include significant findings that help provide an understanding of electricity consumption behavior. More specifically, the announcement of a supply limitation affects the decision to consume electricity. Results of this study indicate that cooperative people tend to decrease electricity consumption more when they are aware of the possibility of an electrical outage. This finding implies that researchers need a better understanding of the psychological aspects of electricity consumption behavior.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Also, this research was funded by the Specially Promoted Research of a Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research (26000001) by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
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Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 3 • June 2017
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 30, 2015
Accepted: Apr 19, 2016
Published online: Jul 6, 2016
Discussion open until: Dec 6, 2016
Published in print: Jun 1, 2017
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