How to engage end-users in smart energy behaviour?

Pieter Valkering,Kris Kessels,Matthijs Uyterlinde,Koen Straver,Erik Laes,L Sarkadi,N Armaroli,Z Fülöp,A Mcevoy,N Kroó,J Ongena

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20137904003

Abstract

End users will play a crucial role in up-coming smart grids that aim to link end- users and energy providers in a better balanced and more efficient electricity system. Within this context, this paper aims to deliver a coherent view on current good practice in end-user engagement in smart grid projects. It draws from a recent review of theoretical insights from sustainable consumption behaviour, social marketing and innovation systems and empirical insights from recent smart grid projects to create an inventory of common motivators, enablers and barriers of behavioural change, and the end-user engagement principles that can be derived from that. We conclude with identifying current research challenges as input for a research agenda on end-user engagement in smart grids.

Highlights

End users will play a crucial role in up-coming smart grids that aim to link endusers and energy providers in a better balanced and more efficient electricity system
It draws from a recent review of theoretical insights from sustainable consumption behaviour, social marketing and innovation systems and empirical insights from recent smart grid projects to create an inventory of common motivators, enablers and barriers of behavioural change, and the end-user engagement principles that can be derived from that
This paper summarizes key findings from the literature review in terms of the reported enablers and barriers for engaging end-users in smart energy behaviour (Sect. 3), recommendations or “success factors” for end-user engagement (Sect. 4), and a number of key challenges for future research and development

Summary

Introduction

End-users will play a crucial role in up-coming smart grids that aim to link end-users and energy providers in a better balanced and more efficient electricity system. A variety of insights are available, a consistent and integrated view on how to engage end-users in smart grid projects to promote smart energy behaviour is lacking. A literature review [1] was conducted to establish a clear view on the state-of-the-art of end-user engagement in smart grid projects from both a theoretical and from an empirical perspective. This paper summarizes key findings from the literature review in terms of the reported enablers and barriers for engaging end-users in smart energy behaviour 3), recommendations or “success factors” for end-user engagement For details of the literature review, the reader is referred to the full report [1]

Scope of the literature review

Enablers and barriers for engaging in smart energy behaviour

Recommendations for successful end-user engagement

Conclusion