Action for increasing energy-saving behaviour in student residences at Rhodes University, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Ancha Lindelwa Bulunga ◽  
Gladman Thondhlana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Environmental Behaviour ◽  
Content Type

Purpose In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions. Findings Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour. Practical implications Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results. Originality/value Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.

Impact of urbanization on per capita energy use and emissions in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuti Haldar ◽  
Gautam Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Per Capita

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of urbanization on per capita energy consumption and emissions in India. Design/methodology/approach The present study analyses the effects of urbanization on energy consumption patterns by using the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology in India. Time series data from the period of 1960 to 2015 has been considered for the analysis. Variables including Population, GDP per capita, Energy intensity, share of industry in GDP, share of Services in GDP, total energy use and urbanization from World Bank data sources have been used for investigating the relationship between urbanization, affluence and energy use. Findings Energy demand is positively related to affluence (economic growth). Further the results of the analysis also suggest that, as urbanization, GDP and population are bound to increase in the future, consequently resulting in increased carbon dioxide emissions caused by increased energy demand and consumption. Thus, reducing the energy intensity is key to energy security and lower carbon dioxide emissions for India. Research limitations/implications The study will have important policy implications for India’s energy sector transition toward non- conventional, clean energy sources in the wake of growing share of its population residing in urban spaces. Originality/value There are limited number of studies considering the impacts of population density on per capita energy use. So this study also contributes methodologically by establishing per capita energy use as a function of population density and technology (i.e. growth rates of industrial and service sector).

scholarly journals The Impact of Individual Behavior on Household Energy Saving

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Gulshan Maqbool ◽  
Zulqarnain Haider
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Saving Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Energy-saving behaviors are defined as the daily and habitual practices of households that focus on specific reductions in energy use. The main objective of this research was to estimate the impact of the energy-saving behavior of individuals on energy demand and to estimate the impact of factors affections the adoption of energy-saving techniques. The study is based on primary data which is collected through questionnaires. The data were collected from rural and urban households in four tehsils of district Sargodha, Pakistan. The Ordinary Least Square technique was to describe the relationship between electricity consumption and different explanatory variables such as gender, age, region, family members, dwelling area, income, energy consumption awareness, external influencing factors, and household saving behavior. Job status is negative and significant, qualification variable in this study is insignificant, marital status is negatively associated with energy consumption and significant, size of a household has a significant effect on the model.  The monthly income of the household head has a positive and significant effect. Energy consumption awareness is significantly negative. External influencing factors are insignificant. Saving behavior in electronic appliances is significantly negative to energy consumption. Government should put efforts to aware the public about energy-saving measures through an awareness campaign using electronic media like mobile and email. Energy-saving appliances should be a sale at cheap prices. The household should have to change its habitual behavior.

Towards energy transition at the Faculty of Education of Bilbao (UPV/EHU): diagnosing community and building

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1277-1296
Author(s):  
Unai Ortega Lasuen ◽  
Maria Arritokieta Ortuzar Iragorri ◽  
Jose Ramon Diez
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Literacy ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
Current Energy

Purpose This paper aims to present the results of a study aimed at performing a first diagnosis of energy literacy and energy use in a Faculty of Education, by means of identifying energy consumption patterns, as well as energy literacy and commitments regarding energy transition. This diagnosis is the basis for establishing the foundations of a path toward energy transition in the faculty and further designing energy saving and education strategies. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative data were collected in a mixed-method approach. A survey was arranged to assess the attitudes, habits and knowledge regarding the current energy system within the community of the Faculty (407 responses). Comparisons among the main collectives that make up the community were performed, i.e. students, teaching and research staff and management and services staff. In parallel, the general electric consumption of the faculty was monitored. The results of these diagnostics were presented at several forums and workshops on energy transition held in the faculty where personal commitments in favor of energy transition were gathered and further categorized (105 initiatives). Findings Positive attitudes toward energy saving were observed, reflecting in different generic habits. Additionally, some belief or hope for a technological solution for current and future energy problems was detected, as well as a lower level of implication or commitment when specifying personal attitudes. Similarly, widespread ignorance of the current energy context was revealed, regarding both the energy system and household energy consumption. Concerning the undertaking of personal commitments, low impact energy saving habits prevailed, and knowledge was not identified as being a necessary element of energy saving education in attitudes and habits. Practical implications This research provides relevant information for the design of educational interventions to promote energy literacy in higher education institutions. Originality/value The survey provides valuable insights regarding future educators’ and their current teachers’ energy literacy in a challenging energy context. The lack of general knowledge about the energy context in the community, together with the limited impact of the commitments gathered among students, stresses the need for integration of basic energy contents, both within education degrees and the management strategy of the faculty.

scholarly journals Reducing Peak Energy Demand among Residents Who Are Not Billed for Their Electricity Consumption: Experimental Evaluation of Behaviour Change Interventions in a University Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8406
Author(s):  
Bradley S. Jorgensen ◽  
Sarah Fumei ◽  
Graeme Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Peak Demand ◽  
Behaviour Change Interventions ◽  
Peak Energy

Behaviour change interventions aiming to reduce household energy consumption are regarded as an effective means to address disparities between demand and supply and reduce emissions. Less recognised is their success in shifting consumers’ energy consumption from peak demand periods to off-peak times of the day. This study reports two experiments that test the effect of feedback and reminder notifications on energy consumption in university halls-of-residence. A quasi-experiment and a randomised controlled experiment were conducted with residential students to evaluate behaviour change interventions aimed at reducing daily peak and critical peak demand, respectively. The results of Experiment One (n = 143) demonstrated significant reductions in the energy use of the treatment group relative to the control. On average, the treatment group’s energy use was 12.4 per cent lower than their pre-intervention baseline. In Experiment Two (n = 88), normative elements of the intervention were supplemented with a reminder notification prior to the onset of the simulated critical peak demand period. The results showed that, relative to the control condition, the 8-h notification reduced demand by 20% on average with a 12% decrease for the 24-h notification (with 2-h follow-up). These results indicate that peak energy issues can be alleviated using low-cost and easily implemented behaviour change strategies.

The effects of user interface designs on lighting use

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-78
Author(s):  
Pimkamol Maleetipwan-Mattsson ◽  
Thorbjörn Laike ◽  
Maria Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Public Buildings ◽  
Basic Field ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Perceptions ◽  
Design Characteristics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to differentiate human responses to different light switch designs to determine the effects of these common interfaces on user perceptions and use of electric lighting in public buildings. Design/methodology/approach Empirical studies were conducted to assess and examine user perceptions with regard to design characteristics of light switches, and occupants’ use of electric lighting was examined through field observations made in a public toilet. Findings The results point to the possibility of identifying characteristics of light switches that attract user attention and thereby encourage energy-saving behaviour in public buildings. A light switch perceived as simple but oversized affected occupants to turn off the lights more frequently when leaving the space under study as compared to switches of normal size. Research limitations/implications Information on user perceptions of light switches may be limited by the assessments being carried out only in controlled environments. Assessing user perceptions in field observations is thus desirable, as it will provide more information on the perceptions in actual settings. Practical implications Effective design of user interfaces could provide a means of lowering energy use from electric lighting by affecting the behaviour of users. Using user perceptions to define critical design characteristics could contribute to design improvements in the interfaces with respect to users’ viewpoints. Originality/value This paper contributes to the subject with a basic, field-based approach to formulating an understanding of how design via user perceptions may encourage energy-saving behaviour.

scholarly journals Optimization of Performance Parameter Design and Energy Use Prediction for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolong Xu ◽  
Guohui Feng ◽  
Dandan Chi ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Baoyue Dou
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Maximum Relative Error ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Saving Ratio ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

Optimizing key parameters with energy consumption as the control target can minimize the heating and cooling needs of buildings. In this paper we focus on the optimization of performance parameters design and the prediction of energy consumption for nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). The optimal combination of various performance parameters and the Energy Saving Ratio (ESR)are studied by using a large volume of simulation data. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are applied for the prediction of annual electrical energy consumption in a nearly Zero Energy Building designs located in Shenyang (China). The data of the energy demand for our test is obtained by using building simulation techniques. The results demonstrate that the heating energy demand for our test nearly Zero Energy Building is 17.42 KW·h/(m2·a). The Energy Saving Ratio of window-to-wall ratios optimization is the most obvious, followed by thermal performance parameters of the window, and finally the insulation thickness. The maximum relative error of building energy consumption prediction is 6.46% when using the artificial neural network model to predict energy consumption. The establishment of this prediction method enables architects to easily and accurately obtain the energy consumption of buildings during the design phase.

Understanding intentions to reduce energy consumption at the workplace by the employees: case of a developing country

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amna Akhound ◽  
Aseem Majeed Rizvi ◽  
Waqar Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Nadeem Khan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Saving Behavior ◽  
Save Energy

PurposeEnergy-saving behavior of individuals is essential to minimize energy use and reduce the emission of toxic gases. This study's actual focus is to find out the determinants of the energy-saving behavior of individuals in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachAs a theoretical research model, the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to analyze the determinants of energy-saving intentions. A survey method is used to collect 289 valid data, and structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the data.FindingsThe final result shows that the variables attitude at home, subjective norm (SN) and descriptive norms positively impact intention to save energy at the workplace. In contrast, the construct attitude and perceived behavior control is insignificant in this research. On the other hand, the personal moral norm (PMN) is a powerful predictor of individual energy-saving intentions at the workplace.Originality/valueThis research provides insights that will help the organizations understand the behavior of individuals at the workplace for energy-saving intentions to formulate such policies that will enhance individuals' practice for energy savings.

Energy Saving Policies for Housing Based on Wrong Assumptions?

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83
Author(s):  
Henk Visscher ◽  
Dasa Majcen ◽  
Laure Itard
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Energy Saving Potential ◽  
Energy Performance Of Buildings ◽  
New Buildings

The energy saving potential of the building stock is large and considered to be the most cost efficient to contribute to the CO2 reduction ambitions. Severe governmental policies steering on reducing the energy use seem essential to stimulate and enforce the improvement of the energy performance of buildings with a focus on reducing the heating and cooling energy demand. In Europe the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a driving force for member states to develop and strengthen energy performance regulations for new buildings and energy certificates for the building stock. The goals are to build net zero energy new buildings in 2020 and to reach a neutral energy situation in the whole stock by 2050. More and more research projects deliver insight that the expected impact of stricter regulations for newly built houses is limited and the actual effects of energy savings through housing renovations stay behind the expectations. Theoretical energy use calculated on base of the design standard for new houses and assessment standards for Energy Performance Certificates of existing dwellings differ largely from the measured actual energy use. The paper uses the findings of some Post Occupancy Evaluation research projects. Is the energy saving potential of the housing stock smaller than expected and should we therefore change the policies?

The dynamic relationship between CO2 emission, international tourism and energy consumption in Pakistan: a cointegration approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Liu ◽  
Tafazal Kumail ◽  
Wajahat Ali ◽  
Farah Sadiq
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Granger Causality ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Ardl Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dynamic Relationship ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Growth Energy

Purpose The present study aims to investigate the dynamic relationship between international tourist receipts, economic growth, energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Pakistan over the period 1980-2016. Many researchers have investigated the link between tourism and CO2 emissions, but there is no clear picture as the results are contradictory. This study is an attempt to compliment the literature related to tourism and environmental quality. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the autoregressive distributed lagged (ARDL) model to investigate the short- and long-run estimates simultaneously. The study further applied Granger causality to find out the direction of causalities. To arrive at long-run robust estimates, the study used dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) model. Findings The results found that tourist receipts have no significant impact on environmental quality, while growth and energy consumption are the main determinants of CO2 emissions in Pakistan. The Granger causality test confirmed unidirectional causalities from GDP and energy consumption toward CO2 emissions, while tourist receipts do not affect environmental quality. DOLS technique confirmed the long-run estimates of ARDL model. Research limitations/implications The result of the study complements the literature by adding new evidence regarding the nexus of tourism and environment. Findings of the study are important for policymakers and regulatory bodies to place their focus on the development of tourism sector (services sector) rather than energy-intensive manufacturing activities to sustain the growth of the country in higher quartiles, as tourism receipts have no significant negative externalities toward environment, while energy use is one of the key determinants of environmental degradation. Originality/value This study used time series data over the period 1980-2016 for Pakistan to inspect the dynamic relationship between tourist receipts, economic growth, energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document