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Energy Consumption Patterns of an Aging Population
Under this research heading, we report on two studies undertaken in 2009 on energy consumption patterns of aging private households. A first study has focused on residential energy demand in Germany, with a particular emphasis on structural change caused by an increasing share of older people. In a second study, we have empirically investigated the residential household sector in Switzerland, again with a special focus on the differences in appliance stocks and energy consumption patterns between younger and older households.
1. RESIDENTIAL ENERGY DEMAND IN GERMANY: TRENDS AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE
In 2006, primary energy consumption in Germany was 14,588 Petajoule (1 PJ = 1015 J). About 30% of this amount can be attributed to residential energy demand. The composition is well analyzed and several models have been developed for estimating future residential energy demand. However, few attempts have been made so far to analyze the present and future energy consumption of the elderly people. As a consequence of the structural change in Germany, the share of people older than 60 years will increase from 24.9% in 2005 to 37% in 2030. Elderly, as a result of a less active lifestyle, have a lower energy demand from household appliances due to a lower equipment stock and also a lower energy demand for hot water preparation. However, elderly have a higher energy demand for space heating, because they frequently occupy older homes, that lack sufficient thermal insulation, require warmer ambient temperatures to feel comfortable, and are more often at home. As 76% of residential energy demand is required for space heating, the greatest energy savings can be obtained with an energy efficient building stock. The challenging targets set by the German government for reducing total energy consumption by 20% until 2020 can only be accomplished with great efforts in the building stock. Incentives have to be provided especially for the elderly population, who often refuses investments in energy efficiency that require relatively long amortization periods.
2. ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IN SWISS HOUSEHOLDS: EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE VSE/GFK SURVEY 2005
The residential household sector with a share of 253,880 TJ (29.2 %) in total energy consumption is the second-most energy intensive sector in Switzerland, after the transport sector. The existing literature on electricity demand of the residential sector concentrates primarily on the influence of energy prices and household income. By contrast, other household characteristics, describing demographic, economic and equipment features of households, are often neglected due to a lack of data.
In the light of significant societal developments, such as over-aging of the population and a trend towards single and two-person households, we investigate the influence of age on electricity consumption, appliance stock and consumer behavior, using a rich data set for Switzerland and econometric estimation techniques. The results indicate that both younger and older persons consume about the same amount of electricity by using electric devices. However, electricity consumption in both age groups is composed differently. Whereas older people use their existing lower stock of appliances intensively, younger people tend to have a large number and variety of appliances but typically use them less intensively (see Figures 1 and 2).
Future political information campaigns should account for this fact and measures to raise the rational energy use adjust to both energy consumption groups. One measure to limit the growing electricity consumption of home office and entertainment equipment in absolute terms is the introduction of binding energy efficiency standards, as they were recently introduced European-wide by an EC Regulation for stand-by consumption of certain appliances (CEC, 2008).
References:
CEC (2008). Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 of 17 December 2008 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for standby and off mode electric power consumption of electrical and electronic household and office equipment, Official Journal of the European Union, Commission of the European Communities, 18.12.2008.
Madlener R., Tomm V. Electricity consumption of an aging society: Empirical evidence from a Swiss Household Survey, FCN Working Paper, forthcoming.
Supervised student research:
Tomm V. (2009). Stromverbrauch in Schweizer Haushalten: Empirische Auswertung der VSE/GfK-Umfrage von 2005 (Electricity Consumption in Swiss Households: Empirical Investigation of the VSE/GfK Survey 2005; in German), Study thesis, Chair of Energy Economics and Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, RWTH Aachen University.
Weber M. (2008). Residential Energy Demand in Germany: Trends and Structural Change, Study thesis, Chair of Energy Economics and Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, RWTH Aachen University.
Fig. 1: Average electricity consumption by age group, household size and time-of-the-day, 1- and 2-person
households in Switzerland, 2005, Source: Tomm (2009) adopted
Fig. 2: Market diffusion of white goods by age group, 1- and 2-person households in Switzerland, 2005,
Source: Tomm (2009) adopted
Contact:
Prof. Dr. rer. soc. oec. Reinhard Madlener
T +49 (0)241 80 49820
F +49 (0)241 80 49829
rmadlener@eonerc.rwth-aachen.de