IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CONSUMER ENERGY USE & OUTLOOK - RESULTS OF EPRI NATIONAL SURVEY

This report displays the results from a national Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) survey which, looked at the impact of COVID-19 on consumer energy use. 

MICRO 2: How have public initiatives taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (i.e. shelter-in-place) shifted energy consumption patterns? How has this increased or alleviated stress on extant energy infrastructures?

• According to the data collected from EPRI's survey, which was administered the week of April 13th 2020, 49% of participants reported that due to COVID-19 they were using more electronic devices in their homes. Out of the participants who have kids schooling at home, 66% reported that they were using more electronic devices in their homes. 

TECHNO 1: How has COVID-19 impacted perceptions of how energy-infrastructures function and dysfunction? How are different energy technologies differentially vulnerable to pandemics like COVID-19?

• According to the data collected from EPRI's nationally representative sample, 40% of participants expect their electric utility company to provide advice on how customers can reduce energy usage. More customers reported that they expect their utility to provide assistance such as advice, programs, or rate plans to reduce their energy bill, and fewer customers reported that they were proactively asking their utility for assistance. Since this survey was conducted in early April, it may be the case that more customers weren't proactively seeking assistance due to state-wide utility shut-off moratoriums instated.