Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience
Abstract Disruptions to key lifelines, especially electrical power, can cause outsized impacts on human functioning. The state of the art on developed countries has focused on enhancing resilience to electrical grid infrastructure but has neglected to track changes regarding how the private market h...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-023-00078-5 |
| _version_ | 1797832161754087424 |
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| author | Daniel Thompson Gianluca Pescaroli |
| author_facet | Daniel Thompson Gianluca Pescaroli |
| author_sort | Daniel Thompson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Disruptions to key lifelines, especially electrical power, can cause outsized impacts on human functioning. The state of the art on developed countries has focused on enhancing resilience to electrical grid infrastructure but has neglected to track changes regarding how the private market has developed electricity continuity measures over time. Backup generators are among the most accessible tools to maintain electricity continuity in case of power failure, but their role as a buffer remains understudied outside the technical domain, along with the humanitarian and emergency response sectors. This paper analyzes generator sales across the U.S. to understand some underlying trends that may have influenced changes in consumer preference for electricity resilience. Reports from major backup generator sellers and import data of backup generators reveal an increase in backup generators across the U.S. and find that private demand for energy resilience is likely increasing due to consumers’ perceived risk and rising levels of intolerance to power disruptions. The discussion finds that an increase in private demand and use of backup generators may be impacting electricity resilience at a communal and societal level, which seems to be underexamined by studies focusing on private generator usage in the U.S.. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:04:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6fc37990ca474166b698a582c74e8b64 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2662-2521 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T14:04:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience |
| spelling | doaj.art-6fc37990ca474166b698a582c74e8b642023-05-07T11:08:42ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience2662-25212023-05-014111410.1186/s43065-023-00078-5Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilienceDaniel Thompson0Gianluca Pescaroli1Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College LondonInstitute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College LondonAbstract Disruptions to key lifelines, especially electrical power, can cause outsized impacts on human functioning. The state of the art on developed countries has focused on enhancing resilience to electrical grid infrastructure but has neglected to track changes regarding how the private market has developed electricity continuity measures over time. Backup generators are among the most accessible tools to maintain electricity continuity in case of power failure, but their role as a buffer remains understudied outside the technical domain, along with the humanitarian and emergency response sectors. This paper analyzes generator sales across the U.S. to understand some underlying trends that may have influenced changes in consumer preference for electricity resilience. Reports from major backup generator sellers and import data of backup generators reveal an increase in backup generators across the U.S. and find that private demand for energy resilience is likely increasing due to consumers’ perceived risk and rising levels of intolerance to power disruptions. The discussion finds that an increase in private demand and use of backup generators may be impacting electricity resilience at a communal and societal level, which seems to be underexamined by studies focusing on private generator usage in the U.S..https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-023-00078-5Electricity resilienceBackup generatorsPrivate demandUnited StatesHousehold resilience |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Thompson Gianluca Pescaroli Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience Electricity resilience Backup generators Private demand United States Household resilience |
| title | Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| title_full | Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| title_fullStr | Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| title_full_unstemmed | Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| title_short | Buying electricity resilience: using backup generator sales in the United States to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| title_sort | buying electricity resilience using backup generator sales in the united states to understand the role of the private market in resilience |
| topic | Electricity resilience Backup generators Private demand United States Household resilience |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43065-023-00078-5 |
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