How can we untap the energy saving potential of households? Insights from household preferences for alternative measures

Abstract Reducing energy consumption is one of the steps needed to achieve a climate neutral energy system by 2050. Households account for 17.1% of final energy consumption in Spain and have a high reduction potential. However, this is difficult to achieve as it relies on the individual behaviour of millions of households. This paper tries to investigate how this behaviour could be triggered by analysing individuals’ preferences for households’ energy saving measures. We surveyed 401 individuals in Aragón in 2020 using an on line platform evaluating different energy saving measures applying the Best Worst Method and estimating a Latent Class Model. The results show that individuals value investments in energy saving measures, such as insulation of their home or using energy efficient appliances as the most important measures. On the contrary, daily behaviours as setting thermostats to recommended levels, turning lights and devices off, replacing traditional light bulbs with LED, using fully loaded washing appliances and setting temperature of refrigerators and freezers at ECO levels were less valued. We identified three different classes of energy saving behaviour patterns: "high potential energy savers", "convenience seekers" and "financially constrained". Our results can help policy makers when designing energy saving policies

Barriers to increase renewable share in domestic electrity: the role of switching provider

In 2018, electricity represented 23.6% of final energy use in Spain with a renewable share of 7.2%. With residential electricity consumption representing 30.6% of electricity use, understanding how households react to increased renewable shares becomes key to reach its objective of 42% share of renewable in final energy use by 2030. This paper tries to understand household behaviour with regards to increased renewable share provided by electricity suppliers focusing on whether the increase involves or not changing the utility contract. Thus, we apply a discrete choice experiment delivered to 401 individuals in Aragon in 2020. We estimate an Error Component Random Parameter Logit model with correlated errors to incorporate preference heterogeneity. Our results confirm that households are willing to pay a premium for renewable electricity, however if this implies a change in electricity supplier it does not compensate for the negative WTP associated with that change. Services associated to utility contracts that providers can offer to make the change more attractive do not seem to help overcoming this reluctance to change. Thus, if an increase in renewable electricity for domestic consumption is to be achieved, incumbents should provide it or ease of change to new entrants should be enhanced

Can renewable energy be financed with higher electricity prices? Evidence from a Spanish region

In this paper we estimate the willingness to pay for mix of renewable sources of electric power by means of a discrete choice experiment survey conducted in Spain in 2010. Two main categories of power supply attributes are explored: source of renewable power (wind, solar and biomass) and the origin of such power. The findings suggest that most consumers are not willing to pay a premium for increases in the shares of renewable in their electricity mix. For two of the three renewable sources considered (wind and biomass) an increase of the renewable mix would require a discount. Instead, we record positive willing to pay for increases in the share of both solar power and locally generated power. However, preferences for types of renewable (solar and wind) are found to be heterogeneous. By classifying respondents in two groups according to the implied importance of the share of renewable sources in their power mix we identify a market segment consisting of 20% of respondents that could promote renewable energy in the absence of subsidies. This is because such a segment shows willingness to pay higher than the current feed-in tariffs.Peer Revieweddiscrete choice experimentconsumer preferencesheterogeneitywillingness to payPublishe

Can renewable energy be financed with higher electricity prices? evidence from Spain

The aim of this paper is to assess willingness to pay for renewable energy electricity. We used a choice experiment to elicit willingness-to-pay for different electricity service attributes: renewable sources (wind, solar and biomass) and the regional origin of the electricity with data from a survey conducted in Spain in 2010. Findings indicate that a majority of consumers are not willing to pay a premium for increases in the renewable component of their electricity mix. Moreover, they would only accept an increase of the renewable mix at a discount for two of the three renewable sources considered (wind and biomass). On the contrary people are willing to pay for increases in the share of solar energy in the electricity mix of their supplier and generating electricity in the region rather than importing it. However, preferences are heterogeneous and individuals are classified in two groups according to whether renewable sources are important for them. The group of individuals more willing to pay for renewable shows higher environmental concerns, positive attitudes towards renewable energy, higher intention to use renewable electricity even at higher prices, more environmental friendly behavior and higher involvement with environmental practices than the group of less willing to pay

Will consumers use biodiesel? Assessing the potential for reducing CO2 emissions from private transport in Spain

This paper analyzes the intention to use (pure) biodiesel under different scenarios. A model of the intention to use biodiesel has been developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and estimated using data from a survey conducted in Spain in 2010. Results show that the intention to use biodiesel depends on the price and availability of the biodiesel in the market. Even when biodiesel would be available in the market at the same price and widely spread through the current fuelling network less than 50% of all motorists would purchase biodiesel. These percentages diminish when consumers are required to pay higher prices or change behavior

The cell density effect in animal cell-based bioprocessing : Questions, insights and perspectives

Altres ajuts: acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICOne of the main challenges in the development of bioprocesses based on cell transient expression is the commonly reported reduction of cell specific productivity at increasing cell densities. This is generally known as the cell density effect (CDE). Many efforts have been devoted to understanding the cell metabolic implications to this phenomenon in an attempt to design operational strategies to overcome it. A comprehensive analysis of the main studies regarding the CDE is provided in this work to better define the elements comprising its cause and impact. Then, examples of methodologies and approaches employed to achieve successful transient expression at high cell densities (HCD) are thoroughly reviewed. A critical assessment of the limitations of the reported studies in the understanding of the CDE is presented, covering the leading hypothesis of the molecular implications. The overall analysis of previous work on CDE may offer useful insights for further research into manufacturing of biologics

Effect of decentration, tilt and rotation on the optical quality of various toric intraocular lens designs: a numerical and experimental study

Toric intraocular lenses (T-IOLs) may lose their optical quality if they are not correctly positioned inside the capsular bag once implanted. In this work, T-IOLs with cylinder powers of +1.50, +4.50 and +7.50 D and differing degrees of spherical aberration have been designed, manufactured and tested in vitro using a commercial optical bench that complies with the requirements of standard ISO 11979-2. Moreover, the effect of tilt and rotation on optical quality was assessed by means of numerical ray tracing on an astigmatic eye model, while the effect of decentration was evaluated numerically and experimentally