Investigating the residential electricity consumption-income nexus in Morocco: a stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology analysis

In a comprehensive LMDI-STIRPAT-ARDL framework, this research investigates the residential electricity consumption (REC)-income nexus in Morocco for the period 1990 to 2018. The logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) results show that economic activity and electricity intensity are the leading drivers of Morocco’s REC, followed by population and residential structure. And then, the LMDI analysis was combined with stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence, and technology (STIRPAT) analysis and the bounds testing approach to search for a long-run equilibrium relationship. The empirical results show that REC, economic growth, urbanization, and electricity intensity are cointegrated. The results further show that there exists a U-shaped relationship between per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and REC: an increase in per capita GDP reduces REC initially; but, after reaching a turning point (the GDPPC level of 17,145.22 Dh), further increases in per capita GDP increase REC. Regarding urbanization, the results reveal that it has no significant impact on Morocco’s REC. The stability parameters of the short and long-term coefficients of residential electricity demand function are tested. The results of these tests showed a stable pattern. Finally, based on the findings mentioned above, policy implications for guiding the country's development and electricity planning under energy and environmental constraints are given.

Collaborative Optimization of Electric Vehicles Based on MultiAgent Variant Roth–Erev Algorithm

With the implementation of the carbon neutral policy, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing. Thus, it is urgently needed to manage the charging and discharging behavior of EVs scientifically. In this paper, EVs are regarded as agents, and a multiagent cooperative optimization scheduling model based on Roth–Erev (RE) algorithm is proposed. The charging and discharging behaviors of EVs will influence each other. The charging and discharging strategy of one EV owner will affect the choice of others. Therefore, the RE algorithm is selected to obtain the optimal charging and discharging strategy of the EV group, with the utility function of the prospect theory proposed to describe EV owners’ different risk preferences. The utility function of the prospect theory has superior effectiveness in describing consumers’ utility. Finally, in the case of residential electricity, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. Compared with that of random charging, this method reduces the total EV group cost of EVs by 52.4%, with the load variance reduced by 26.4%.

Measure of Customer Satisfaction in the Residential Electricity Distribution Service Using Structural Equation Modeling

The main objective of this study is to apply structural equation modeling with partial least squares and based on covariance to assess the satisfaction of residential electricity consumers. The methodology used compares the results of both structural equation models to indicate the model that best fits the problem of measuring the satisfaction of residential consumers of electricity concessionaires and licensees. The sample used in the survey contained questionnaire responses from 86.175 individuals considering the period from 2014 to 2018. The constructs evaluated were satisfaction, quality, value, loyalty, and trust. Confidence interval analysis shows that all weights are significant, demonstrating the importance of all the indicators that represent the constructs. The trust, quality, and value constructs can explain 74.4% of the variability of the satisfaction construct, so the explanatory capacity of this relationship is considered substantial. Finally, the evaluation of the performance of the service provided by the electric energy concessionaires/licensees, measured by customer satisfaction, allows for the continuous improvement of services and meeting, even if minimally, the expectations of its consumers.

Design and Implementation of a Smart Energy Meter Using a LoRa Network in Real Time

Nowadays, the development, implementation and deployment of smart meters (SMs) is increasing in importance, and its expansion is exponential. The use of SMs in electrical engineering covers a multitude of applications ranging from real-time monitoring to the study of load profiles in homes. The use of wireless technologies has helped this development. Various problems arise in the implementation of SMs, such as coverage, locations without Internet access, etc. LoRa (long range) technology has great coverage and equipment with low power consumption that allows the installation of SMs in all types of locations, including those without Internet access. The objective of this research is to create an SM network under the LoRa specification that solves the problems presented by other wireless networks. For this purpose, a gateway for residential electricity metering networks using LoRa (GREMNL) and an electrical variable measuring device for households using LoRa (EVMDHL) have been created, which allow the development of SM networks with large coverage and low consumption.

Study on Load-Participated Demand Response Model Based on Load Aggregator

In the reform of the electricity market, along with the gradual opening of the electricity sales side as well as the increase in the proportion of residential electricity consumption, the user load of the demand side has become an essential resource for demand response (DR). To efficiently utilize the residential load resources, new market participants, such as load aggregator (LA) have emerged. First, the basic concept of load aggregator is introduced in this paper, the origin and definition of LA is studied, and the classification of aggregated resources and the current situation of LA operation in some countries are presented. Then the article analyzes the market operation mode of LA and the uncertainty of LA in operation in detail, including the LA service on the user side, transaction mode and hierarchical structure associated with the operation, the uncertainty classification analysis, and associated strategies to address the problem. The LA load integration method and the scheduling control strategy are discussed. Finally, suggestions and ideas on the future research direction are proposed.

The role of demand response in residential electricity load reduction using appliance shifting techniques

Purpose Some of the major concerns since the implementation of smart meters (prepaid meters) in some parts of Ghana is how electricity consumers have benefited from data obtained from these meters by providing important statistics on electricity-saving advice; this is one of the key demand-side management methods for achieving load reduction in residential homes. Appliance shifting techniques have proved to be an effective demand response strategy in load reduction. The purpose of this paper is therefore to help consumers of electricity understand when and how they can shift some appliances from peak to off-peak and vice versa. Design/methodology/approach The research uses an analysis technique of Richardson et al. (2010). In their survey on time-of-use surveys to determine the usage of electricity in households as far as appliance shifting was concerned, this study allowed for the assessment of how the occupants’ daily activities in households affect residential electricity consumption. Fell et al. (2014) modeled an aggregate of electricity demand using different appliances (n) in the household. The data for the peak time used in this study were identified from 05:00 to 08:00 and 17:00 to 21:00 for testing the load shifting algorithms, and the off-peak times were pecked from 10:00 to 16:00 and 23:00. This study technique used load management considering real-time scheduling for peak levels in the selected homes. The household devices are modeled in terms of controlled parameters. Using this study’s time-triggered loads on refrigerators and air conditioning systems, the findings suggested that peak loads can be reduced to 45% as a means of maintaining the simultaneous quality of service. To minimize peak loads to around 35% or more, Chaiwongsa and Wongwises (2020) have indicated that room air conditioning and refrigerator loads are simpler to move compared to other household appliances such as cooking appliances. Yet in conclusion, this study made a strong case that a decrease in household peak demand for electricity is primarily contingent on improvements in human behavior. Findings This study has shown that appliance load shifting is a very good way of reducing electrical consumption in residential homes. The comparative performance shows a moderate reduction of 1% in load as was found in the work done by Laicaine (2014). The results, however, indicate that load shifting to a large extent can be achieved by consumer behavioral change. The main response to this study is to advise policymakers in Ghana to develop the appropriate demand response and consumer education towards the general reduction in electrical load in domestic households. The difficulty, however, is how to get the attention of consumer’s on how to start using appliances with less load at peak and also shift some appliances from off-peak times. By increasing consumer knowledge and participation in demand response, it is possible to achieve more efficiency and flexibility in load reduction. The findings were benchmarked with existing comparison studies but may benefit from the potential production of structured references. However, the findings show that load shifting can only be done by modifying consumer actions. Research limitations/implications It should be remembered that this study showed that the use of appliances shifting in residential homes results in load reduction benefits for customers, expressed as savings in electricity prices. The next step will be to build on this cost/benefit study to explain and measure how these reductions transform into net consumer gains for all Ghanaian households. Practical/implications Load shifting will include load controllers in the future, which would automatically handle electricity consumption from various appliances in the home. Based on the device and user needs, the controllers can prioritize loads and appliance usage. The algorithms that underpin automatic load controllers will include knowledge about the behaviors of groups of end users. The results on the time dependency of activities may theoretically inform the algorithms of automatic demand controllers. Originality/value This paper addresses an important need for the country in the midst of finding solutions to an unending energy crisis. This paper presents demand response to the Ghanaian electricity consumer as a means to help in the reduction of load in residential homes. This is a novel research as no one has at yet carried out any research in this direction in Ghana. This paper has some new information to offer in the field of demand in household electricity consumption.