Abstract:
Utilisation of electricity within the domestic sector is examined. The characteristically
time-dependent behaviours o f domestic consumers and their associated usages of
household appliances, result in "peaky" daily electricity-demand curves. This is not
conducive to achieving (i) a high-efftciency electricity supply, (ii) low rates o f financial
investment in new generating plant or (iii) curtailing rates of pollutant emissions. A relatively energy-efficient, environmentally-clean, electricity-supply system can only be
realised when the total demand (i.e. the total for the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors) versus time curve does not exhibit rapid changes in gradient. In order to
achieve this goal, existing and more appropriate electrical-load management techniques need to be implemented, especially for the domestic sector. Thus opportunities
fo r demand-side load-management are assessed together with the prospective benefits
obtainable by domestic consumers and electricity-supply companies.
The operation o f appliances, which are significant contributors to the typical daily
household electricity-demand profile, are examined in detail. Demand profiles for individual appliances are presented and, where appropriate, examples of thermal, motive
and control sub-profiles are provided. Patterns of appliance use within households are
discussed with various recommendations for achieving reduced load profiles, both for
specific appliances and households.