exploring energy poverty in greece: evidence from primary surveys
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Exploring energy poverty in Greece: Evidence from primary surveys
Nikolas M. KatsoulakosMechanical Engineer, PhD, MSc
National Technical University of AthensMetsovion Interdisciplinary Research Center
Advances in fuel poverty research and practice: a pan-European early career
researcher symposium
Manchester, 20 September 2016
Why and what
Some effects of the economic crisis in Greece: 30-40% average decrease in households’ income Great increases in fuel prices (up to 200%), due to high taxation
Difficulties in sufficient coverage of energy needs
It is necessary to determine the dimensions of the problem
Three primary surveys were conducted: Throughout the whole country Among mountainous municipalities In a certain mountainous town, Metsovo
Need to focus on mountainous areas
Mountains are the geographical backbone of the country (70% of its territory is mountainous)
Mountain societies are vulnerable to energy poverty, due to cold climatic conditions and lower incomes
Indicative results
Three out of four households in Greece have reduced other expenses, in order to cover their thermal energy needs
45% of mountainous residences face dump problems due to insufficient heating
In the town of Metsovo, the share of diesel oil based systems has fallen from 72% (2009) to 47% (2015) and people use firewood boilers and stoves
20% of the households in Greece report health problems due to insufficient heating
Only 26% of the Greek households have applied energy saving interventions
85% of the houses in Metsovo do not have any thermal insulation, at all
The dimensions of energy poverty in Greece
The population is highly exposed to energy poverty, especially in mountainous areas
Some details
Strong correlation, statistically significant, has been proved to exist between:
Energy poverty and climatic conditions (in the coldest climatic zone of Greece the percentage of energy poor households is 83%) Energy poverty and income (42% of the energy poor have annual income less than 11,000 euros) Energy poverty and restriction of other expenses (80% of energy poor households have restricted other expenses)
Conclusions
The surveys regarding energy poverty in Greece: Provided a better understanding of the
problem in the country Provided certain documentation for several
issues (that seemed obvious, but were not concretely proved)
The economic crisis sets major obstacles to sufficient coverage of energy needs to the households
Mountainous areas are particularly exposed A national policy should be developed and
energy efficiency has to be a core part of it
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