Increasing environmental concerns have resulted in consumers indulging in conserving energy by curtailing energy usage rather than switching to energy efficient practices. Energy efficient appliances (EEAs) offer the dual advantages of appliance usage with reduced energy consumption. Research suggests that use of such appliances, in residences is limited. This study was thus undertaken to understand individual resident's awareness towards EEAs and factors influencing their purchase. A qualitative approach consisting of 31 personal interviews were conducted with individuals from socio-economic categories A1, A2 and B1. While awareness of EEAs was present among respondents; benefits of using such appliances were neither widely known nor easily quantifiable. Purchase decisions were ruled by appliance price but did not deter adoption, the availability of appliances in desired aesthetics and family involvement in purchase decision. Higher penetration of such appliances can be ensured if consumers can estimate exact savings in monthly electricity bills due to EEAs at the time of purchase.
The neoclassical model of economics assumes that greater the information available, the easier it is for a consumer to make decisions. In the context of electricity usage, overwhelming amounts of information presented on energy bills and a lack of real-time information deter consumers from understanding their own energy usage and developing personalized strategies to reduce it. This study assesses the literacy levels regarding electricity bills amongst consumers in India. Regression results indicate that homes with stronger beliefs in energy conservation minimize their usage. The size of the dwelling,demographics, and the ownership of the dwelling influence literacy levels regarding electricity bills. The study had a counterintuitive finding, as the respondents were found reluctant to receive a normative comparison of their electricity bills—strange for a collectivistic cultured society like India. The study recommends making electricity bills more visually appealing and increasing their frequency to increase awareness of energy usage.
Renewable Energy Sources-Based Electricity (RES-E) plays a key role in sustainable development – of meeting current energy demands, without adding to global warming concerns. However, as of 2017, only 8.5% of the total electricity generation came from RES-E. To boost this contribution, countries rely on strong legislative and policy support/tools. This case focuses on studying the legislative or regulatory frameworks put in place by the top three developed countries, and compares it with three developing countries, each of which are forerunners in RES-E, as of 2017. The comparative study suggests that while no single policy can be credited with the success behind rising RES-E in these countries, two key incentives are most important – namely feed-in-tariffs and renewable purchase obligations. Feed-in-tariffs act as floor price guarantee to the generator and renewable purchase obligations assures the generator of quantum of sale of the RES-E generated. When combined, these two incentives remain the most trusted policy tools even today for countries starting their journey in increasing their RES-E footprints.
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