Operating buildings during temporary electricity shortages

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.04.008

Energy and Buildings

Volume 38, Issue 11, November 2006, Pages 1296-1301

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.04.008 Get rights and content

Abstract

The operation of buildings can be temporarily modified to use much less electricity. These actions may be necessary during regional electricity shortages lasting anywhere from days to months. The electricity conservation measures typically involve a combination of technical modifications, temporary changes in occupant behavior, and greatly increased vigilance. At the same time, attempts to drastically reduce a building's electricity use may have unexpected consequences affecting energy use, the indoor environment, and the performance of building materials and equipment. Electricity shortfalls such as those described in this paper may occur more often as a result of climate change and liberalized electricity markets.

Section snippets

From blackouts to power shortages

Electricity blackouts are as old as electricity networks. However, regional electricity shortages are a relatively new phenomenon. In the past, any situation where demand exceeded supply translated directly into a blackout. Now, modern grids can accommodate partial system failures by switching to alternative generators, transmission, or distribution facilities and generally avoid blackouts entirely. But sometimes the shortages are so great that normal operations are unable to balance demand and

Actions to quickly reduce electricity use in buildings

Buildings are typically the largest electricity consumption sector—nearly 60% of total use [4]. For this reason, buildings are the most important target for rapid electricity savings during a temporary shortfall. A small reduction in electricity use, on the order of 5%, can often be achieved with simple, almost unnoticed, measures, such as temperature adjustments or reduced operating hours of ventilation equipment and lighting. However, as Table 3 demonstrates, the requested reductions were

The building science of temporary cutbacks in electricity use

Measures taken to drastically reduce electricity use can have profound impacts on the building and its occupants. They differ from conventional energy efficiency improvements because many of the actions are undertaken without careful engineering analysis, they may involve simultaneous measures directed at several different systems and, of course, are intended to be temporary. Building researchers have not yet comprehensively examined this special situation. Indeed, there is no assurance that

Conclusions

Quickly reducing demand for electricity is a viable strategy to avoid blackouts. Many regions have demonstrated that savings as large as 20% can be achieved in as little as a few months. Furthermore, the reductions can be sustained for periods long enough to allow for the supply side to return to normal conditions. This strategy may cause inconvenience and some loss of productivity but these costs are generally small compared to the economic dislocations caused by irregular blackouts and

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Saving Electricity In A Hurry
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TEPCO
Actual Supply and Demand for Summer 2003
(2003)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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