Energy Use

Higher temperatures in urban heat islands bring with them increased energy use, mostly due to a greater demand for air conditioning. As power plants burn more fossil fuels, they increase both the pollution level and energy costs.

The increased summertime temperatures increased cooling requirements. The data is the peak load for Southern California Edison in 1988.

On warm afternoons in Los Angeles, for example, the demand for electric power rises nearly 2% for every degree Fahrenheit the daily maximum temperature rises. In total, we estimate that about 1-1.5 gigawatts of power are used to compensate the impact of the heat island. This increased power costs the Los Angeles ratepayers about $100,000 per hour, about $100 million per year. Link to: High Temperatures

An additional consequence is that the probability of smog also increases by 5% for every 0.5°F rise in daily maximum temperature above 70°F. Link to: Air Quality

Ways to mitigate the heat island effect as well as to save energy include Cool Roofs, Cool Pavements, and Vegetation. Link to: Ways to Save Energy

For an overview of our research on estimating the potential energy savings due to mitigating the heat island effect, link to: "Estimating Energy Saving Potentials of Heat Island Mitigation Measures"

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Back to: Heat Island Group Home Page

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This web page last modified by Sheng-chieh Chang on June 23, 2000.
Questions? E-mail: SCChang@LBL.gov