The researchers in the paper, "Population & Steets in Energy City," compared several different metrics for measuring energy inequality in cities. The results of their analysis are policy-relevant. For example, assessing disparity ratios from block-level data can yield different results than analyzing aggregated data. The authors conclude that this type of study requires rigorous and timely analysis of data. Population and Steets in Energy City is an important new tool to monitor energy inequality.
The researchers used anonymized data collected from utility companies to examine the differences between income and race. They divided total household energy use by total square footage. Then, they calculated the average energy use intensity of neighborhood groups. This information was then compared across different income and racial composition of the neighborhoods in each income bracket. They also compared energy use intensity by race and ethnicity. This information helped them develop a model that identifies energy-efficient strategies that address these disparities.
Ramaswami hopes other cities will adopt her method. In fact, she and her colleagues are already collaborating with city officials in Austin, Texas, to assess the drivers of energy use intensity and rebate participation in the state. The authors recommend a series of strategies to reduce the costs of energy while providing equitable access to energy efficiency measures. So far, the data show that these strategies are not without flaws.