Energy consumption of audiovisual devices in the residential sector: Economic impact of harmonic losses

In this work, energy losses and the economic consequences of the use of small appliances containing power electronics (PE) in the Spanish residential sector were estimated. Audiovisual devices emit harmonics, originating in the distribution system an increment in wiring losses and a greater demand in the total apparent power. Time Use Surveys (2009–10) conducted by the National Statistical Institute in Spain were used to obtain information about the activities occurring in Spanish homes regarding the use of audiovisual equipment. Moreover, measurements of different types of household appliances available in the PANDA database were also utilized, and the active and non-active annual power demand of these residential-sector devices were determined. Although a single audiovisual device has an almost negligible contribution, the aggregated actions of this type of appliances, whose total annual energy demand is greater than 4000 GWh, can be significant enough to be taken into account in any energy efficiency program. It was proven that a reduction in the total harmonic distortion in the distribution systems ranging from 50% to 5% can reduce energy losses significantly, with economic savings of around several million Euros. •Time Use Survey provides information about Spanish household electricity consumption.•The annual aggregated energy demand of audiovisual appliances is very significant.•TV use accounts for more than 80% of household audiovisual electricity consumption.•A reduction from 50% to 5% in the total harmonic distortion would have economic savings of around several million Euros.•Stricter regulations regarding harmonic emissions must be demanded.