Potential Peak Load Reductions From Residential Energy Efficient Upgrades

Abstract

The demand for electricity is continuing to grow at a substantial rate. Utilities are interested in managing this growth's peak demand for a number of reasons including: costly construction of new generation capacity can be deferred; the reliability of the distribution network can be improved; and added environmental pollution can be minimized. Energy efficiency improvements, especially through residential programs, are increasingly being used to mitigate this rise in peak demand. This paper examines the potential peak load reductions from residential energy efficiency upgrades in hot and humid climates. First, a baseline scenario is established. Then, the demand and consumption impacts of individual upgrade measures are assessed. Several of these upgrades are then combined into a package to assess the synergistic demand and energy impacts. A sensitivity analysis is then performed to assess the impacts of housing characteristics on estimated demand and energy savings. Finally, the demand, energy, and environmental impacts are estimated at the community level.