Analysis of energy poverty intensity from the perspective of the regional administration: Empirical evidence from households in southern Europe

Abstract

The current economic situation has increased the number of households in Europe experiencing restrictions and/or limitations of affordability of energy services, demonstrating the urgent need to intervene in those extreme cases in which households suffer the daily consequences of what is internationally defined as energy poverty. In such a context, this paper presents the results obtained in a case study characterising a sample of 615 households with demonstrated energy poverty in the region of Aragón (Spain). In parallel, the intensity of energy poverty in the studied cases is examined by measuring the percentage of energy expenditures with respect to income in the households that suffer it, and a descriptive analysis of the main determinants of energy poverty in the homes studied is presented as well as the policy implication at regional level.

Building Energy Assessment and Computer Simulation Applied to Social Housing in Spain

“…Energy poverty is a type of economic poverty that affects the basic consumption of households. The main cause of energy poverty is a lack of economic resources, as has been noted in Scarpellini et al [8]. The number of employed household members significantly affects the energy consumption of households: it is higher in building A (0.7 employed per household vs 0.4 in building B), but it should be noted that those employed in building A earned lower average wages.…”

“…The average temperature is 15.5 • C. The registered number of annual Heating Degree Days (HDD), using a reference temperature of 15 • C [42], is 1177 HDD (Degree days calculated Buildings 2018, 8,11 6 of 21 using www.degreedays.net). The average wind speed is 19 km/h.…”

“…The average dwelling in building A consumes less energy than an average four-person household in Spain, with 4.4 kW of electrical contracted power and an annual energy consumption of 3900 kWh (only electricity) [8]; this is similar to the level of consumption of building B. Indeed, the unit cost for the electricity consumed (€/kWh) is similar in all cases, since the contracted power savings (fixed costs) are masked by the higher electricity consumption.…”

“…Indeed, the unit cost for the electricity consumed (€/kWh) is similar in all cases, since the contracted power savings (fixed costs) are masked by the higher electricity consumption. A survey conducted by Scarpellini et al in 2014 [8] on a sample of social housing in Aragon revealed that, in general, people at risk of energy poverty, are largely unaware of energy-supply contract types or details. In fact, the majority (70%) of people in this type of housing had the standard regulated tariff for domestic consumers (PVPC: Precio de Venta a Pequeño Consumidor.…”

“…The definition provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA) is very similar to that adopted by the Environmental Sciences Association (ACA) in a pioneering Spanish publications [7]. Energy poverty is a particular type of poverty which is principally determined by various factors [8]: the ratio of minimum annual energy expenditure to income in a household [9], the energy efficiency of buildings [10], and finally the (more subjective) perception of comfort level in the dwelling [11].…”