Bottom-up modelling of electricity end-use consumption of the residential sector in Brazil

Electricity consumption in the residential sector in Brazil has been increasing annually despite efforts to promote the energy efficiency of household appliances. One of the main goals for achieving more energy efficiency in dwellings is understanding its energy end uses. In this context, this paper presents a bottom-up model developed to analyse regional and national electricity end uses in the residential sector in Brazil based on a recent survey on Ownership of Appliances and Consumption Habits. The percentages of total electricity consumption associated with nine appliances (light bulbs, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, showers, microwaves, washing machines, fans, and air conditioners) were estimated. The values were obtained using the software EnergyPlus for air conditioners and electricity consumption equations for the other eight appliances. Results show that the proposed model gives reasonable estimates of electricity consumption, which were close to the values expected for most appliances. Regionally, the appliances for which ownership and pattern of use are influenced by the climate (electric showers, fans, and air conditioners) obtained the most significant variation in the percentage of electricity consumption.