Air conditioning in the region of Madrid, Spain: An approach to electricity consumption, economics and CO2 emissions

Abstract

a b s t r a c tAn understanding of electricity consumption due to residential air conditioning (AC) may improve production and environmental impact strategy design. This article reports on a study of peak and seasonal electricity consumption for residential air conditioning in the region of Madrid, Spain. Consumption was assessed by simulating the operation of AC units at the outdoor summer temperature characteristics of central Spain. AC unit performance when operating under part load conditions in keeping with weather conditions was also studied to find cooling demand and energy efficiency. Like wise final electricity consumption was computed and used to calculate energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Cooling demand, when family holidays outside the region were factored into the calculations, came to 1.46 Â 10 9 kWh. Associated seasonal electricity demand was 617 Â 10 6 kWh and seasonal performance of AC units around 2.4. Electricity consumption in the whole region was observed to peak on 30 June 2008 at 5.44 Â 10 6 kW, being the load attributable to residential AC 1.79 Â 10 6 kW, resulting about 33% of the total peak consumption. The seasonal cost per household was about V156 and the total equivalent warming impact was 572 Â 10 3 t CO 2 . The method proposed can be adapted for use in other regions.

Sustainability Challenges from Climate Change and Air Conditioning Use in Urban Areas

“…For example in Madrid, in the summer of 2008, maximum -peak consumption‖ was observed on 30 June, when the outdoor temperature was 39 °C. Residential AC was observed to account for approximately 30% of this maximum -peak consumption‖ [27].…”

“…In Spain, temperature extremes correspond with yearly peak electricity consumption causing a serious problem for the stability and reliability of electricity distribution systems. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) resulting from electric power generation have risen sharply in Spain in the last 12 years and temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the electricity demand of the population [27]. For example in Madrid, in the summer of 2008, maximum -peak consumption‖ was observed on 30 June, when the outdoor temperature was 39 °C.…”

“…Studies have statistically analyzed demand impacts using changes in heating or cooling degree days from electricity consumption and meteorological data [23][24][25][26][27]. These two indicators are used in modeling the relationship between the climate and electricity consumption.…”

A New System to Estimate and Reduce Electrical Energy Consumption of Domestic Hot Water in Spain

“…To be coherent with the confrontation, the assumptions considered in the different methodologies are: the number of tenants is three [34] and the average area of residential buildings in the case in North Atlantic is 93.7 m 2 , in Continental zone is 103.5 m 2 and in Mediterranean zone is 103.8 m 2 [3].…”

An efficient adaptive model for wind speed forecasting

“…• We fix a threshold temperature T thres =26°C, and suppose that the AC is turned on when the external temperatures exceed the threshold, as in (Izquierdo et al 2011 …”