Analysis of behaviour change due to electricity crisis: Japanese household electricity consumer behaviour since the earthquake

Panel: 1. Foundations of future energy policy

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Chiharu Murakoshi, Jyukankyo Research Institute INC, Japan
Sho Hirayama, Jyukankyo Reserach Institute, Japan
Hidetoshi Nakagami, Jyukankyo Reserach Institute, Japan

Abstract

Since the nuclear accident from the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tight electricity supply in Japan continues. After May 2012, when all nuclear plants were off line, two reactors have been restarted. Thus, both changes in energy policy and continued electricity conservation are needed. Just after the disaster there were planned electricity outages, mandatory electricity conservation, and voluntary lighting and air conditioning conservation measures by many public and private facilities and individual households. The household electricity conservation ratio (ECR) for the whole country was 5.1% just after the disaster, 7.6% in summer 2011, but fell to 3.3% in winter 2012. In Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) service area, with direct experience of disaster effects, ECRs were 9.5%, 8.4%, and 4.3% for the same periods. In summer 2012, the ECR increased again. Under long-term conditions of tight electricity supply, the ECR varies seasonally and regionally. We evaluate reasons for the changes quantitatively. To analyse the influence of the disaster and subsequent tight electricity supply on household electricity conservation actions and electricity savings, we surveyed post disaster implementation of electricity conservation actions (ECA). We targeted TEPCO's service area in 2011 and all of Japan in winter and summer of 2012. From changes in awareness and implementation status of ECA, we show chronological and regional impacts of the disaster and tight electricity supply on consumer behaviour. Since the disaster, attempts to change Japan's energy policy are on-going. There are various arguments about providing electricity supply, but it is not easy to meet the 30% of electricity demand previously met by nuclear power with alternate sources. Encouraging changes in consumer behaviour can play an important role in future energy policy. Evaluating the impact on consumers of long-term electricity supply pressure provides useful data for analysis of changes in behaviour.