Segmentation of Residential Gas Consumers using Clustering Analysis

Segmentation of Residential Gas Consumers using Clustering Analysis Marta P. Fernandes 1,†,‡*, Joaquim L. Viegas 1,†,‡, Susana M. Vieira 1,†,‡ and João M. C. Sousa 1,†,‡ 1 IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; {marta.fernandes, joaquim.viegas, susana.vieira, jmsousa}@tecnico.ulisboa.pt * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +351-218-417-000 ‡ These authors contributed equally to this work. Version November 13, 2017 submitted to Energies Abstract: The growing environmental concerns and liberalization of energy markets have resulted 1 in an increased competition between utilities and a strong focus on efficiency. To develop new 2 energy efficiency measures and optimize operations, utilities seek new market related insights and 3 customer engagement strategies. This paper proposes a clustering based methodology to define the 4 segmentation of residential gas consumers. The segments of gas consumers are obtained through a 5 detailed clustering analysis using smart metering data. Insights are derived from the segmentation, 6 where the segments result from the clustering process and are characterized based on the consumption 7 profiles as well as according to information regarding consumers’ socio-economic and household 8 key features. The study is based on a sample of approximately one thousand households over one 9 year. The representative load profiles of consumers are essentially characterized by two evident 10 consumption peaks, one in the morning and the other in the evening and an off-peak consumption. 11 Significant insights can be derived from this methodology regarding typical consumption curves of 12 the different segments of consumers in the population. This knowledge can assist energy utilities and 13 policy makers in the development of consumer engagement strategies, demand forecasting tools and 14 in the design of more sophisticated tariff systems. 15