Deriving Electricity Demand Elasticities from a Simulation Model

The paper reports a method of estimating aggregate residential electricity demand elasticities with respect to price and household income. Short-run models of electricity use and linear probability models of equipment ownership are developed using household data. These are incorporated in a model that simulates the development of the stock of dwellings and electricity-using equipment through time to derive short and long-run price and income elasticities. Results for a wide range of equipment types are presented. Test results reveal the influence of dwelling stock dynamics on long-run aggregate elasticities that have not been reported in other studies.