Doctoral Dissertation Research: Economics of a Light Bulb: Experimental Evidence on CFLs and End-User Behavior

灯泡的经济性：关于节能灯和最终用户行为的实验证据Eliana Carranza和Robyn Meek摘要住宅获得现代能源和照明被认为对发展至关重要，因为它提高了生活水平和生产率。然而，发展中国家可能面临可用电力的严重限制。其结果是，居民用电受到限制，家庭支付的电价可能与富裕国家的价格一样高。在照明是住宅用电主要组成部分的发展中国家，紧凑型荧光灯(CFL)等节能技术可以提供节电并提供更多能源服务。尽管如此，在发展中国家通过大规模更换计划以零价格或补贴价格引入节能灯的情况下，一旦消费者被要求支付全额费用，节能灯的使用往往就会停止。这是实现节能照明潜在影响的主要制约因素。为了更好地了解CFL技术的采用、持续使用和扩散过程，本研究采用随机实验考察了两个主要机制：(1)CFL技术的反弹？效果，哪一种是行为反应促进消费和抵消节能灯的结果？技术上可行的电力节约，以及(2)同行的作用？网络在传播一项新技术方面的信息。尽管节能灯最初的采用可能会受到限制，因为支付意愿(WTP)低于市场价格，但如果信息太嘈杂，或者如果更重视负面信息而不是积极信息，节能灯的传播可能会受到限制。这项研究进一步加深了对终端用户与节能技术互动所产生的行为障碍的了解。这些发现与节能政策的几个方面有关。对反弹的考察将为创新和价格政策的最佳组合以及福利和节电之间的权衡提供信息。对同行网络的检查将区分不同的学习机制，并告诉如何最好地促进节能灯的发展？扩散。最后，WTP研究有助于制定最优定价和补贴战略。除了最近在发展中国家部署的节能灯项目的政策相关性之外，在应对节能技术方面吸取的经验教训也具有与发达国家相关的行为影响。

ECONOMICS OF A LIGHT BULB: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE ON CFLS AND END-USER BEHAVIOR Eliana Carranza and Robyn Meeks Abstract Residential access to modern energy and lighting is considered to be important for development as it improves living standards and productivity. However, developing countries can face severe constraints on available electricity. As a consequence, residential electricity use is limited and households pay prices that can be as high as those observed in wealthier nations. In the developing world, where lighting is a major component of residential electricity consumption, energy efficient technologies such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can offer electricity savings and allow more energy services. Still, where CFLs have been introduced in developing countries through mass replacement programs at a zero or subsidized price, their use is often discontinued once the consumer is required to pay the full price. This represents a major constraint to realizing the potential impacts of energy efficient lighting. To better understand the adoption, continued use, and diffusion process of the CFL technology, this study uses randomized experiments to inspect two major mechanisms: (1) the ?rebound? effect, which is the result of behavioral responses that boost consumption and offset CFLs? technologically feasible electricity savings, and (2) the role of ?peer? networks in spreading information on a new technology. Although the initial adoption of CFLs may be limited because the willingness to pay (WTP) is lower than the market price, their diffusion may be restricted if information is too noisy or if a greater importance is put on negative rather than positive information. The study furthers knowledge on the behavioral barriers that arise from end-user interactions with energy-efficient technologies. The findings are relevant to several aspects of energy conservation policy. Examination of the rebound will inform the optimal combination of innovation and price policies and the trade-off between welfare and electricity conservation. Examination of peer-networks will discern between different learning mechanisms and tell how best to advance CFLs? diffusion. Lastly, WTP studies assist in developing strategies for optimal pricing and subsidies. Beyond the policy relevance for CFL programs deployed recently in developing countries, lessons learned regarding responses to energy efficient technologies have behavioral implications that are also relevant to developed countries.