Exploring the role of ICT on household behavioural energy efficiency to mitigate global warming

Leire Bastida,Jed J Cohen,Andrea Kollmann,Ana Moya,Johannes Reichl

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.01.004

Abstract

With the advent of ICT in the energy system, new possibilities to inform and influence residential electricity consumption become available. We explore the potential of ICT-based interventions in households to decrease electricity usage, improve energy efficiency and thus contribute to reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from this sector. Based on a literature review on the subject, we suggest that ICT can affect some of the main behaviour-influencing factors, and discuss the causal avenues by which these effects can take hold. Our review finds that ICT-based effects on consumer behaviour can reduce household final electricity consumption by 0–5%. These and other findings from the literature are used to define parameter values, which reflect the efficacy of ICT at changing household energy usage patterns, and ultimately decreasing GHG emissions from the electricity sector. A quantitative analysis of the potential for ICT to contribute to reaching the 1.5 °C target in the context of the European Union (EU) energy sector is performed. It is found that ICT-based interventions in household energy use could contribute between 0.23% and 3.3% of the EU CO2e reduction target from the energy sector that would keep warming under 1.5 °C, corresponding to 4.5–64.7 mio. tCO2e abated per year.

Highlights

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are expected to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon electricity system by making it possible for consumers to make more efficient energy decisions [1]
These and other findings from the literature are used to define parameter values, which reflect the efficacy of ICT at changing household energy usage patterns, and decreasing GHG emissions from the electricity sector
It is found that ICT-based interventions in household energy use could contribute between 0.23-3.3% of the European Union (EU) CO2e reduction target from the energy sector that would keep warming under 1.5 °C, corresponding to 4.5-64.7 mio. tCO2e abated per year

Summary

Introduction

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are expected to contribute to the transition to a low-carbon electricity system by making it possible for consumers to make more efficient energy decisions [1]. Smart meter technology enables interventions in household electricity usage such as home energy management, battery system management, distributed renewable production management, dynamic (time-variant) electricity tariffs, demand forecasting and load-shifting (demand response) [2]. These measures can optimize and increase efficiency in household electricity use, reduce grid operation costs, and reduce carbon emissions from electricity production. The review of empirical studies is used to inform our own quantitative analysis of the potential for ICT-based solutions to reduce GHG emissions from household electricity use in the EU. We infer from the literature review and our own quantitative analysis the potential for ICT-solutions to contribute to keeping global warming under 1.5 °C

ICT and consumer behaviour

Effects of ICT on household electricity consumption

Quantitative Analysis

Findings

Conclusion