Energy efficiency and consumption — the rebound effect — a survey
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of some of the relevant literature from the US offers definitions and identifies sources including direct, secondary, and economy-wide sources and concludes that the range of estimates for the size of the rebound effect is very low to moderate.
About: This article is published in Energy Policy.The article was published on 2000-06-01. It has received 1867 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Rebound effect (conservation) & Energy consumption.
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Dissertation•
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the role of fiscal policies in overcoming barriers to reducing fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. light-duty vehicles and evaluate the costs and benefits of a technology penetration scenario that approximates the new CAFE standard.
Abstract: The challenges of energy security and climate change have prompted efforts to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in light-duty vehicles within the United States. Failures in the market for lower rates of fuel consumption necessitate government involvement. But efforts have been weakened by a controversial regulatory system, and the need for perverse incentives that have contributed to a slight increase in the average rate of light-duty vehicle fuel consumption alongside a 70% increase in vehicle travel relative to the mid-80’s. This research evaluates the role of fiscal policies in overcoming barriers to reducing fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. light-duty vehicles. It conducts a survey of fiscal policies and their implementation internationally. A model of the U.S. light-duty vehicle fleet is used to assess a fuel tax in comparison to—and in coordination with—the recently legislated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard legislated by the Energy Independence and Security Act. Engineering cost estimates of technology improvements and vehicle powertrains are used to evaluate the costs and benefits of a technology penetration scenario that approximates the new CAFE standard. Alongside CAFE, fiscal options can achieve reductions more effectively by: (i) acting on a broader range of stakeholders; (ii) influencing behavioral responses as well as technological changes; and (iii) by sending price signals across multiple stages of vehicle purchase, operation, and retirement. Using illustrative scenarios, the report demonstrates that fiscal policies align consumer demand for lower rates of fuel consumption with the requirements that CAFE imposes on manufacturers. The costs of reducing fuel consumption are estimated to be 8 to 20% of the baseline cost if fuel consumption remained unchanged from today, corresponding to retail price increases of $1,500 to $4,500 for the average vehicle between 2020 and 2035. These significant costs are largely offset by fuel savings benefits within 2 to 4 years relative to no change. Thesis Supervisor: John B. Heywood Title: Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering Director, Sloan Automotive Laboratory Director, MIT-Ford Alliance Program Co-director, Center for 21st Century Energy
6 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors integrate elements of a bottom-up model of energy demand into a top-down model of total private consumption, represented by the energy efficiency embodied in household appliances.
Abstract: This paper deals with integrating elements of a bottom-up model of energy demand into a topdown model of total private consumption. The bottom-up elements are represented by the energy efficiency embodied in household appliances. The top-down model describes demand for energy and non-energy commodities in an AIDS demand system. In this model households do not directly demand energy, but en ergy services (hours of washing, miles of driving). These services are measured via the se rvice price defined as the relationship between the energy price and energy efficiency. Therefore an increase in energy efficiency leads to a decrease in the service price and, thereby, in creases demand for services which compensates for parts of the energy savings due to effi ciency improvements ('rebound effect'). The model presented can be used to derive different f eedbacks (rebound effects) from efficiency changes on energy demand and to quantify the role of efficiency improvements in reducing energy demand and emissions from households.
6 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, the computational power of modern computers is used to deeply explore the solution space and thus enable decision-making on a superior level. But human planners tend to focus on parts of the overall problem.
Abstract: Contemporary optimization methods have shown to save costs and increase revenues in many operative fields of application. While human planners tend to focus on parts of the overall problem, these methods use the computational power of modern computers to deeply explore the solution space and thus enable decision-making on a superior level.
6 citations
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, a concept map is developed for visualizing key topics in light of digitization and sustainability, and two exemplifying systemic structural constellations are presented in this context as well.
Abstract: Digitization and sustainability are two mega-trends. There are a lot of opportunities and threats discussed. However, a compiled and industry-wide analysis of SWOTs is missing. After a review of the literature on digitization and sustainability and compiling a SWOT table, a concept map is developed for visualizing key topics in light of digitization and sustainability. In addition, for illustrating unconscious knowledge, two exemplifying systemic structural constellations are presented in this context as well. The results show immense tensions between sustainability and digitization, but also offer progressive patterns. In light of a development towards sustainability, digitization is both boon and bane and often needs a clear analysis of all relevant issues and a careful handling in order to be progressive. Digital transformation requires a precise and honest value basis and sustainability added value. Therefore, societal progress and strict law regulation will be needed.
6 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the main factors influencing residential energy-saving behaviors based on a bottom-up multivariate statistical approach using data from the recent French PHEBUS survey were explored.
Abstract: Analysing household energy-saving behaviours is crucial to improve energy consumption predictions and energy policy making. How should we quantitatively measure them ? What are their determinants ? This study explores the main factors influencing residential energy-saving behaviours based on a bottom-up multivariate statistical approach using data from the recent French PHEBUS survey. Firstly, we assess energy-saving behaviours on a one-dimension scale using IRT. Secondly, we use linear regression with an innovative variable selection method via adaptive lasso to tease out the effects of both macro and micro factors on the behavioural score. The results highlight the impact of five main attributes incentivizing energy-saving behaviours based on cross-variable analyses : energy price, household income, education level, age of head of household and dwelling energy performance. In addition, our results suggest that the analysis of the inverted U-shape impact of age enables the expansion of the energy consumption life cycle theory to energy-saving behaviours.
6 citations
References
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Book•
01 Jan 1980
TL;DR: Deaton and Muellbauer as mentioned in this paper introduced generations of students to the economic theory of consumer behaviour and used it in applied econometrics, including consumer index numbers, household characteristics, demand, and household welfare comparisons.
Abstract: This classic text has introduced generations of students to the economic theory of consumer behaviour. Written by 2015 Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton and John Muellbauer, the book begins with a self-contained presentation of the basic theory and its use in applied econometrics. These early chapters also include elementary extensions of the theory to labour supply, durable goods, the consumption function, and rationing. The rest of the book is divided into three parts. In the first of these the authors discuss restrictions on choice and aggregation problems. The next part consists of chapters on consumer index numbers; household characteristics, demand, and household welfare comparisons; and social welfare and inequality. The last part extends the coverage of consumer behaviour to include the quality of goods and household production theory, labour supply and human capital theory, the consumption function and intertemporal choice, the demand for durable goods, and choice under uncertainty.
3,952 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an industrial demand for energy is essentially a derived demand: the firm's demand for the energy is an input, derived from demand for a firm's output, which is an output.
Abstract: Industrial demand for energy is essentially a derived demand: the firm's demand for energy is an input is derived from demand for the firm's output. Inputs other than energy typically also enter the firm's production process. Since firms tend to choose that bundle of inputs which minimized the total cost of producing a giving level of output, the derived demand for inputs, including energy, depends on the level of output, the submitions possibilies among inputs allow by production technology, and the relative prices of all inputs.
1,422 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a model of individual behavior in the purchase and utilization of energy-using durables is presented, where the tradeoff between capital costs for more energy efficient appliances and operating costs for the appliances is emphasized.
Abstract: This article presents a model of individual behavior in the purchase and utilization of energy-using durables. The tradeoff between capital costs for more energy efficient appliances and operating costs for the appliances is emphasized. Using data on both the purchase and utilization of room air conditioners, the model is applied to a sample of households. The utilization equation indicates a relatively low price elasticity. The purchase equation, based on a discrete choice model, demonstrates that individuals do trade off capital costs and expected operating costs. The results also show that individuals use a discount rate of about 20 percent in making the tradeoff decision and that the discount rate varies inversely with income.
1,361 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the indiscriminate use of mandated standards will backfire, but a mix of selective standards and reliance on prices as a restraint can be effective.
Abstract: Regulations which mandate appliance efficiency standards may be based on calculations which exaggerate the potential energy savings. Improved efficiency can, in fact, increase demand enough to be counterproductive unless the standards are applied selectively. As appliances improve, they are used more, new stock is demanded, and the demand for and use of related equipment increases. The policy implications of these empirical studies are that the indiscriminate use of mandated standards will backfire, but a mix of selective standards and reliance on prices as a restraint can be effective. 11 references, 5 figures, 2 tables. (DCK)
802 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a detailed study of automobile demand and use, presenting forecasts based on the powerful new techniques of qualitative choice analysis and standard regression techniques, which are combined to analyze situations that neither alone can accurately forecast.
Abstract: This book addresses two significant research areas in an interdependent fashion. It is first of all a comprehensive but concise text that covers the recently developed and widely applicable methods of qualitative choice analysis, illustrating the general theory through simulation models of automobile demand and use. It is also a detailed study of automobile demand and use, presenting forecasts based on these powerful new techniques. The book develops the general principles that underlie qualitative choice models that are now being applied in numerous fields in addition to transportation, such as housing, labor, energy, communications, and criminology. The general form, derivation, and estimation of qualitative choice models are explained, and the major models - logit, probit, and GEV - are discussed in detail. And continuous/discrete models are introduced. In these, qualitative choice methods and standard regression techniques are combined to analyze situations that neither alone can accurately forecast. Summarizing previous research on auto demand, the book shows how qualitative choice methods can be used by applying them to specific auto-related decisions as the aggregate of individuals' choices. The simulation model that is constructed is a significant improvement over older models, and should prove more useful to agencies and organizations requiring accurate forecasting of auto demand and use for planning and policy development. The book concludes with an actual case study based on a model designed for the investigations of the California Energy Commission.
726 citations