Clustering and statistical analyses of electricity consumption for university dormitories: A case study from China

Abstract Electricity consumption in university dormitories deserves more attention owing to its large proportion of total electricity consumption in university buildings and enormous electricity conservation potential. This research proposes a methodology comprising aggregated and segmented analysis to provide an in-depth understanding of electricity consumption in university dormitories from multi-perspective views. Aggregated analysis offers a holistic understanding of electricity consumption by focusing on two interesting problems, setting free electricity consumption quotas and exploring the correlation between outside temperature and electricity consumption. Segmented analysis refers to exploring typical electricity consumption patterns in different semesters and vacations by data segmentation according to the academic calendar. The actual daily electricity consumption data of 2434 undergraduate dormitories, 542 master dormitories, and 583 doctor dormitories collected by smart meters from a Chinese university is analyzed to demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology. Main results of the research include: (1) Different modes of setting free electricity consumption quotas have different effects on electricity conservation, and a scientific and visualized approach illustrated by the density distribution histogram is presented to discuss the problem. (2) There is no a significant linear correlation between the outside temperature and electricity consumption in the analyzed three types of dormitories, which may be extended to other research under similar contexts where the buildings have the limited electric power and non-usage of air conditioning systems. (3) The representative electricity consumption patterns in the three types of dormitories are explored according to the academic calendar. The university administrators can make good electricity use policies, electricity network planning and operation according to the patterns. The implications of the results and several recommendations for promoting energy conservation are provided simultaneously.