Residential direct energy consumption: a behavioural analysis
Student name: Ms Vandana Gupta
Guide: Dr Kavita Sardana
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: TERI School of Advanced Studies
Abstract: Economic prosperity stimulates demand for more and better quality of energy services. The pattern of energy consumption represents the welfare and stages of economic growth of a country. The residential sector accounts for a major share in the energy consumption scenario of India. This study aims to identify the drivers of direct energy consumption by the residential sector of Delhi. Here the focus has been on understanding the consumption from behavioral perspective rather than just socio-demographic drivers. For this purpose, the study makes use of the factors identified by the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991) and the norm-activation model (Schwartz, 1977). A primary survey has been conducted among 120 households of urban Delhi to record their energy consumption patterns, socio-demographic characteristics and energy behavior. Results show that the perceived behavioral control among households regarding their gas and electricity consumption and travel practices can significantly reduce their energy consumption. This implies that households that perceive it easier to control their actions and shift towards more sustainable practices, consume lower direct energy than others. Significance of this factor has been far greater than other elements such as awareness or knowledge. From a policy point of view, strategies need to be implemented that promote and motivate households to opt for such practices.
