ID | 132596 |
Title Proper | Procedure for analysing energy savings in multiple small solar water heaters installed in low-income housing in Brazil |
Language | ENG |
Author | Giglio, Thalita ; Lamberts, Roberto ; Barbosa, Miriam ; Urbano, Mariana |
Publication | 2014. |
Summary / Abstract (Note) | Due to government subsidies, Brazil has witnessed an increase in the installation and use of small solar water heating systems in low-income housing projects. Although the initiative has reduced the load curve during peak times due to the reduced use of electric showerheads, measurement and verification (M&V) are needed to validate the savings. M&V procedures should take into account the social and economic variability of low-income housing developments. To improve M&V in low-income housing projects, this paper presents a methodology for identifying homogeneous subgroups based on their energy-saving potential. This research strategy involved a cluster analysis designed to improve the understanding of what energy savers and other influencing factors exist. A case study in Londrina Brazil was undertaken with 200 low-income families. Five clusters, created based on savings potential, were defined. The results showed that only two clusters demonstrated good electricity savings, representing 47% of families. However, two clusters, or 37%, did not provide satisfactory savings, and the other 16% did not provide any consumption history due to previous use of illegal city electricity connection practices. Therefore, studies confirm the need for a detailed measurement of the representative subgroups to assess the influence of human behaviour on potential SWHS-induced savings. |
`In' analytical Note | Energy Policy Vol.72, No. ; Sep.2014: p.43-55 |
Journal Source | Energy Policy Vol.72, No. ; Sep.2014: p.43-55 |
Key Words | Multiple Small Solar Water Heaters - MSSWH ; Low-Income Housing - LIH ; Cluster Analysis ; Electricity Saving ; User Behavior ; Brazil ; Economic Distribution ; Social Variability ; Economic Variability ; Measurement and Verification - M&V ; Energy Demand ; Energy Supply ; SWHS ; Energy Saving ; Green House Emission - GHE |