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Household Energy Consumption: A Study of Micro Renewable Energy Systems in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Chesser

    (Technological University Dublin)

  • Jim Hanly

    (Technological University Dublin)

  • Damien Cassells

    (Technological University Dublin)

  • Nikolaos Apergis

    (University of Piraeus)

Abstract

Ireland’s National Renewable Energy Action plan addresses how it will meet its environmental commitments. One element of the strategy is the use and promotion of micro renewable energy systems (micro-RES). This paper profiles households that have adopted micro-RES and examines whether micro-RES installations have resulted in a reduction in energy consumption based on data from the Irish Household Budget Survey. Results indicate that the presence of micro-RES does not result in a reduction of electricity use, rather the opposite. Furthermore, our findings indicate that some revision of energy policy is needed, as the presence of micro-RES does not result in a decrease in total energy use.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Chesser & Jim Hanly & Damien Cassells & Nikolaos Apergis, 2019. "Household Energy Consumption: A Study of Micro Renewable Energy Systems in Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 50(2), pages 265-280.
    • Handle: RePEc:eso:journl:v:50:y:2019:i:2:p:265-280
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andersen, F.M. & Gunkel, P.A. & Jacobsen, H.K. & Kitzing, L., 2021. "Residential electricity consumption and household characteristics: An econometric analysis of Danish smart-meter data," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    2. McAndrew, Ryan & Mulcahy, Rory & Gordon, Ross & Russell-Bennett, Rebekah, 2021. "Household energy efficiency interventions: A systematic literature review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. Aleksandra Matuszewska-Janica & Dorota Żebrowska-Suchodolska & Agnieszka Mazur-Dudzińska, 2021. "The Situation of Households on the Energy Market in the European Union: Consumption, Prices, and Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Sanghamitra Mukherjee & Tensay Meles & L. (Lisa B.) Ryan & Séin Healy & Robert Mooney & Lindsay Sharpe & Paul Hayes, 2020. "Attitudes to Renewable Energy Technologies: Driving Change in Early Adopter Markets," Working Papers 202026, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    5. Romero-Jordán, Desiderio & del Río, Pablo, 2022. "Analysing the drivers of the efficiency of households in electricity consumption," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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