Publications, articles
and papers
Publications, articles and papers
Articles and papers published by the project partners showcasing research results, highlighting findings and other project results.
Open Access Article
Identifying Energy-Poor Households with Publicly Available Information: Promising Practices and Lessons Learned from the Athens Urban Area, Greece
Abstract
Energy poverty (EP) has emerged as a significant and multifaceted social challenge, both in Europe and globally, in recent years. Given the constraints of limited public resources, it is imperative that policies addressing EP focus on the most socially vulnerable households. To this end, effective policies necessitate a thorough understanding of the key characteristics defining households affected by this phenomenon. This research aims to contribute to the identification of energy-poor households by examining both established and novel EP indicators, utilizing the Athens urban area as a case study. The study employs the official EP indicator utilized in Greece, alongside three newly developed indicators. These indicators constitute essential components in the formulation of multivariate binary logistic regression models. The models incorporate predictors derived from existing government databases, encompassing household and building characteristics. From a policy perspective, this research introduces novel approaches for addressing EP, as the models and two of the newly introduced indicators demonstrate promising results in identifying energy-poor households. Importantly, this identification can be achieved without the need for primary questionnaire surveys or the compilation of complex information.
Authors
- Kalfountzou, E., School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Greece
- Tourkolias, C.; Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving, Pikermi Attiki, Greece
- Mirasgedis, S., Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Palea Penteli, Greece
- Damigos, D., School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, Greece
Open Access Article
Diagnosing Energy Poverty in Portugal through the Lens of a Social Survey
Abstract
Energy poverty (EP) is a crucial socio-economic problem in current society, as it deprives people of a basic standard of living and quality of life. In general, EP is linked to various factors, but it is primarily associated with high energy costs, low household income, and inefficient building structures. Due to the recent energy crisis in Europe, the importance of these factors has escalated. Bearing in mind the above remarks, the REVERTER EU-funded LIFE project will develop and test nine roadmaps in four European countries (Brezovo—Bulgaria; Athens Urban area—Greece; Riga—Latvia; and Coimbra—Portugal) to alleviate EP by addressing the poor energy efficiency of dwellings. To directly observe real-life scenarios in designated pilot regions, questionnaire surveys were conducted, involving approximately 300 households in each pilot area. This paper presents and evaluates the outcomes of the survey conducted in the central region of Portugal. The findings allow for a deeper comprehension of the factors that impact energy poverty in Portugal, spanning socio-economic aspects, housing characteristics, mechanical systems, energy expenses, and behaviors, as well as the awareness of available support initiatives. Drawing from the survey’s insights, novel strategies are suggested to alleviate energy poverty, with a primary emphasis on crafting tailored, efficient policies that address the genuine requirements of households and individuals.
Authors
- Pedro Moura, Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Paula Fonseca, Institute of System and Robotics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Inês Cunha, Municipality of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Nuno Morais, Municipality of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal