The residential sector is central to the decarbonisation of the energy system, as buildings and households account for a significant share of energy demand and emissions.
To manage energy demand more effectively, understanding the diversity of energy needs and behaviours is essential. Models can help to explore the relationship between household activities and energy demand, offering insights into the sector’s potential to enhance flexibility in low-carbon energy systems. Alongside model-based approaches, smart meter data provides valuable insights into energy usage habits, making analytical and empirical methods complementary.
This chapter reviews models of occupant behaviour and approaches for simulating appliance use and energy demand. It also discusses methods for identifying patterns in residential energy use and highlights the role of synthetic occupant and energy time series for energy management applications.
