USING GIS TO TARGET OUTREACH FOR LADWP CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAMS

THIS PROJECT

This project is a collaborative effort between California State University, Northridge and the San Fernando Valley Green Team. Using geographical information systems (GIS) and spatial statistical analyses, we examine the participation in various electricity saving programs in Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and their effectiveness.

 

Resources:

1. Our Team
2. CSUN Department of Geography
3. LA Department of Water of Power

Chapter 6 Conclusions and Discussion

6.1 Major Findings

6.2 Future Research Direction

6.3 References

 

6.1 Major Findings

One critical question in this study is how to measure changes in energy usage and efficiency. People’s energy usage is particularly affected by annual climate fluctuation. In one year, people may use more energy due to extremely long, hot summers than they might in a relatively short, cool summer. They may also use more energy in an extended, chilly winter than they do in a relatively short, warm winter. In this study, we will take that effect into consideration by adopting a Relative Energy Efficiency Index (REEI), which will be calculated by comparing two ratios: 1) the ratio between individual (resident/aggregated block data) energy usage and the average energy usage for the whole LADWP service area in year 2 (after the implementation of energy programs) and 2) the ratio between individual (resident/aggregated block data) energy usage and the average energy usage for the whole LADWP service area in year 1 (the base year before the implementation of energy programs). Consequently, we eliminate the overall trend of energy usage due to factors such as weather. We believe such a measurement yields a more effective assessment of energy efficiency than a simple comparison of annual energy bills.

            The results reveal that City of Los Angeles has become more energy efficient for both residential and commercial clients over this study period. However, energy consumption is socially, economically, and geographically uneven. Residents in neighborhoods that more affluent, White and Asian concentrate, particularly for those along the foothills consume more electricity than those where income is relatively low, African Americans and Hispanics concentrates. In addition, participation in various LADWP electricity programs is also socially, economically, and geographically uneven. Interestingly, we also find that the same neighborhoods where residential and commercial clients concentrate are also the same neighborhoods that have actively participated in different LADWP electricity programs. Furthermore, we have found that certain LADWP programs have played significant roles in helping residents and commercial clients to improve their electricity efficiency, although other factors may also be involved. Finally, we reveal that the City of Los Angeles has witnessed clusters of “hot spots” where neighborhoods have become experienced faster improvement in electricity efficiency and “cool spots” where neighborhoods have experienced slower improvement in electricity efficiency.

 

6.2 Future Research Directions

This project has answered many interesting questions and provided insights to understand the electricity consumption and efficiency in the City of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the project has raised many interesting questions are waiting to be answers. Examples include:
1.         Why are some programs more popular than others? Why have some programs enrolled thousands of households while others are much slower to enroll?
2.         Why have some programs been successful in improving energy usage efficiency, while others have been not effective?
3.         Among successful programs that have shown positive effects, is there a chance that the programs are only effective in certain areas while they are ineffective in other areas?
4.         Among the not effective programs, is there a chance that the programs are effective in small selected neighborhoods?
5.         Why are programs effective in certain neighborhoods while ineffective in other neighborhoods?

            We believe projects that address such questions will help LADWP to design and implement the different LADWP Energy Efficiency Programs more effectively. Such projects will also help raise the awareness of LADWP programs among its  residential and commercial clients. In the end, such projects will help make the City of Los Angeles become greener.

References

Anselin, Luc. 1995. "Local Indicators of Spatial Association—LISA," Geographical Analysis 27(2): 93–115,
ESRI. “How Spatial Autocorrelation (Global Moran's I) works”
http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//005p0000000t000000
ESRI. “How Cluster and Outlier Analysis (Anselin Local Moran's I) works.” http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#/How_Cluster_and_Outlier_Analysis_Anselin_Local_Moran_s_I_works/005p00000012000000/
Getis, Arthur, and J. K. Ord. 1992. "The Analysis of Spatial Association by Use of Distance Statistics." Geographical Analysis 24 (3).
Goodchild, Michael F. 1986. Spatial Autocorrelation. Catmog 47, Geo Books.
Griffith, Daniel. 1987. Spatial Autocorrelation: A Primer. Resource Publications in Geography, Association of American Geographers.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Rebates and Programs. https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/faces/ladwp/residential/r-savemoney/r-sm-rebatesandprograms?_adf.ctrl-state=n84ykv990_4&_afrLoop=26070011206880