Analysis: how to reduce electricity consumption?

Demand Side Management (DSM) is "the implementation of policies and measures which serve to control and generally reduce electricity demand," with the aim "to improve final electricity-using systems; reduce consumption, while preserving the same level of service and comfort." As such, DSM is recognized as a major tool in the fight against climate change.

Usually a task for utilities, DSM practices should also be integrated by commercial and residential end-users, according to the authors. Indeed, final users actually account for the biggest share in electricity consumption – a share that is steadily increasing (by 50% since 1990 in France, to quote ADEME figures).

Since large energy saving potential remains, the purpose of this paper is to give an overview of practical measures that can be taken in a daily basis. Alongside familiar actions such as turning off unnecessary light bulbs and appliances, as well as standby power equipment, the researchers recommend the following:

To residential users:

• Reduce temperature of hot water (60°C instead of 80°C) and keep lids on when cooking;
• Use washing machines and tumble dryers at full load or with the economy programme, at low temperature;
• Reduce thermostat temperature -1°C less can represent a 7% cut in heating bills;

To commercial users:

• Set up and activate the saving mode for computers;
• Adjust the operation of electrical motors to the need: the replacement of manual interrupters by timers on 20 vacuum cleaners resulted in 280 MWh/year of energy saved, which represent savings of €12 800 per year, according to the study;
• Allow for frequent maintenance and cleaning of electrical systems;

To both sectors:

• Programm control of light, air conditioning and heating (timeswitch thermostats, etc.)
• Resort more systematically to energy audits to optimize tariff selection

Energy savings hinge both on accurate technological equipment and rational behaviour. Therefore, information and education programmes at local, national and European levels should be better coordinated.