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To what extent has COVID-19 impacted hard-to-reach energy audiences?

Rotmann, Sea ; Ambrose, Aimee ; Chambers, Joseph ; Mundaca, L. LU orcid ; O’Sullivan, Kimberley ; Viggers, Helen ; Harris Clark, Isobel ; Karlin, Beth and Foster, Hale (2021) p.355-355
Abstract
Energy users who don’t participate in efficiency and conservation programmes despite ongoing outreach are often referred to as ‘Hard-to-Reach’ (HTR). These individuals or organisations can include, e.g., low income or vulnerable households; renters; and small businesses. More effectively engaging HTR audiences is key to ensuring everyone benefits equitably from low-carbon energy transitions and related (policy) interventions. This is even more so the case in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing implications for energy use and affordability for the most vulnerable (and newly-vulnerable) members of our society.
Within this context, the main purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which HTR energy audiences have been... (More)
Energy users who don’t participate in efficiency and conservation programmes despite ongoing outreach are often referred to as ‘Hard-to-Reach’ (HTR). These individuals or organisations can include, e.g., low income or vulnerable households; renters; and small businesses. More effectively engaging HTR audiences is key to ensuring everyone benefits equitably from low-carbon energy transitions and related (policy) interventions. This is even more so the case in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing implications for energy use and affordability for the most vulnerable (and newly-vulnerable) members of our society.
Within this context, the main purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which HTR energy audiences have been impacted by COVID-19. Our primary method for this work was a comprehensive, critical literature review and a compilation of official statistics. We also collected survey, interview and focus group data during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic responses in the U.S., UK, NZ and Sweden. The geographical scope is determined by a 3-year project focusing on HTR energy users and implemented in partnership with the User-Centred Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme (Users TCP) by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Key findings we highlight and discuss in this paper:
● Sweden has taken a different approach to manage COVID-19, yet when it comes to mobility, declines in demand (~25%) have shown relatively similar patterns to countries with stricter measures.
● In the UK, energy debt is growing due to higher domestic consumption arising from lockdown measures and the reduced income of many households. Most households (72%) have increased their energy (monthly gas and electricity bills are up £32) use. In response, 36% are turning thermostats down and 27% limiting lighting.
● In the U.S., a survey of 1,000 energy customers found that more than 50% are using more energy, and monitoring their energy use less; 15% reported postponing a utility bill.
● NZ’s model COVID-19 “elimination” response has included housing, financial support, and specific energy payments to date, though unhealthy and unaffordable housing remains a major issue.
Whereas the pandemic has exacerbated several elements of the HTR policy discourse (e.g. impacts on vulnerable and/or low-income households), our findings also reveal several opportunities and critical aspects for policy makers, researchers and utilities to identify and engage HTR energy users.
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
COVID-19, Energy use, Public policies, Policy evaluation, Mobility, Health
host publication
eceee Summer Study Proceedings
article number
3-154-21
pages
365 pages
publisher
European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE)
external identifiers
  • scopus:85178662442
ISBN
978-91-983878-9-6
project
Hard-to-Reach Energy Users
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
83fa531b-0dbe-4c29-8f54-7fa310724b24
date added to LUP
2021-12-10 16:58:17
date last changed
2024-05-31 04:35:11
@inproceedings{83fa531b-0dbe-4c29-8f54-7fa310724b24,
  abstract     = {{Energy users who don’t participate in efficiency and conservation programmes despite ongoing outreach are often referred to as ‘Hard-to-Reach’ (HTR). These individuals or organisations can include, e.g., low income or vulnerable households; renters; and small businesses. More effectively engaging HTR audiences is key to ensuring everyone benefits equitably from low-carbon energy transitions and related (policy) interventions. This is even more so the case in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing implications for energy use and affordability for the most vulnerable (and newly-vulnerable) members of our society.<br/>Within this context, the main purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which HTR energy audiences have been impacted by COVID-19. Our primary method for this work was a comprehensive, critical literature review and a compilation of official statistics. We also collected survey, interview and focus group data during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic responses in the U.S., UK, NZ and Sweden. The geographical scope is determined by a 3-year project focusing on HTR energy users and implemented in partnership with the User-Centred Energy Systems Technology Collaboration Programme (Users TCP) by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Key findings we highlight and discuss in this paper:<br/>● Sweden has taken a different approach to manage COVID-19, yet when it comes to mobility, declines in demand (~25%) have shown relatively similar patterns to countries with stricter measures. <br/>● In the UK, energy debt is growing due to higher domestic consumption arising from lockdown measures and the reduced income of many households. Most households (72%) have increased their energy (monthly gas and electricity bills are up £32) use. In response, 36% are turning thermostats down and 27% limiting lighting.<br/>● In the U.S., a survey of 1,000 energy customers found that more than 50% are using more energy, and monitoring their energy use less; 15% reported postponing a utility bill. <br/>● NZ’s model COVID-19 “elimination” response has included housing, financial support, and specific energy payments to date, though unhealthy and unaffordable housing remains a major issue.<br/>Whereas the pandemic has exacerbated several elements of the HTR policy discourse (e.g. impacts on vulnerable and/or low-income households), our findings also reveal several opportunities and critical aspects for policy makers, researchers and utilities to identify and engage HTR energy users.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Rotmann, Sea and Ambrose, Aimee and Chambers, Joseph and Mundaca, L. and O’Sullivan, Kimberley and Viggers, Helen and Harris Clark, Isobel and Karlin, Beth and Foster, Hale}},
  booktitle    = {{eceee Summer Study Proceedings}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-983878-9-6}},
  keywords     = {{COVID-19; Energy use; Public policies; Policy evaluation; Mobility; Health}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  pages        = {{355--355}},
  publisher    = {{European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ECEEE)}},
  title        = {{To what extent has COVID-19 impacted hard-to-reach energy audiences?}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/110978192/3_154_21_Rotmann_et_al_ECEEE2021.pdf}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}