Urban household energy use in Thailand

Miscellaneous · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7106937

Tyler, S R

Changes in household fuel and electricity use that accompany urbanization in Third World countries bear large economic and environmental costs. The processes driving the fuel transition, and the policy mechanisms by which it can be influenced, need to be better understood for the sake of forecasting and planning, especially in the case of electricity demand. This study examines patterns of household fuel use and electrical appliance utilization in Bangkok, Chieng Mai and Ayutthaya, Thailand, based on the results of a household energy survey. Survey data are statistically analyzed using a variety of multiple regression techniques to evaluate the relative influence of various household and fuel characteristics on fuel and appliance choice. Results suggest that changes to the value of women's time in urban households, as women become increasingly active in the labor force, have a major influence on patterns of household energy use. The use of the home for small-scale commercial activities, particularly food preparation, also has a significant influence on fuel choice. In general, household income does not prove to be an important factor in fuel and appliance selection in these cities, although income is closely related to total electricity use. The electricity use of individual household appliances is also analyzed using statistical techniques as well as limited direct metering. The technology of appliance production in Thailand is evaluated through interviews with manufacturers and comparisons of product performance. These data are used to develop policy recommendations for improving the efficiency of electrical appliances in Thailand by relying principally on the dynamism of the consumer goods market, rather than direct regulation. The annual electricity savings from the recommended program for fostering rapid adoption of efficient technologies are estimated to reach 1800 GWh by the year 2005 for urban households alone.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7106937
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
HOUSEHOLDS
DEMAND FACTORS
POWER DEMAND
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
THAILAND
URBAN AREAS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SURVEYS
APPLIANCES
ASIA
DEMAND
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
MATHEMATICS
STATISTICS
296000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology