sussex energy group spru - science and technology policy research ifeg energy, behaviour and...

Sussex Energy GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG

Energy, behaviour and micro-generation

Mari MartiskainenSussex Energy Group

Presentation to Information for Energy GroupEnergy Institute

24th May 2007


Energy, behaviour and micro-generation

• Introduction to Sussex Energy Group• Behaviour & energy demand• Micro-generation• Key information resources• Summary


Introduction to Sussex Energy Group

• The Sussex Energy Group (SEG) is based at SPRU (Science & Technology Policy Research), University of Sussex

• Team of 17 researchers • Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PhD Students• Understanding the challenges and opportunities for

transitions to a sustainable energy economy • Inter-disciplinary social science research • Core funding from Economic and Social Research Council

www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexenergygroup


Behaviour & energy demand

• Key research questions– How can energy-using behaviour be understood?

– What are the options for encouraging behavioural change?

– What are the potential savings from such ‘behavioural’ measures?

• Historical aspects– 1970’s - oil price shocks

– Bittle et al. (1979-1980): ‘One of the most important problems facing our society today is the problem of energy conservation. The rapidly dwindling known supplies of oil, coupled with accelerating energy needs has created a crisis like atmosphere which has stimulated activity in both political and scientific areas’ (pg. 275).

– 1970-80’s – economic, environment

– 1990’s – climate change

– 2000’s – climate change, sustainability, consumer behaviour


Behaviour & energy demand cont.

• Several economic and psychological behavioural change models

• Jackson T. (2005) Motivating Sustainable Consumption, a review of evidence on consumer behaviour and behavioural change. Defra Sustainable Development Research Network.

• Behavioural influences– Internal and external factors– Habits and routine

• How to change ‘bad’ behaviour?– Persuasion and social learning theories– Social marketing techniques– Technology/consumer choices?



• Energy consumption and behaviour– Electricity and gas use in the home

• e.g. lighting, washing, setting thermostat level– Domestic energy consumption keeps increasing

• 27% UK’s CO2 emissions

– More appliances, comfortable houses– Link between domestic energy behaviour and

climate change not clear– Comfort more important than environmental factors



• Intervention studies popular in the 1970’s – energy conservation– Some studies lack methodological strength

– One measure or a combination of several?

– How to ensure long-term behavioural change?

– How much people save energy rather than why they don’t save energy

• Later research have looked/is looking at technical as well as behavioural aspects– Smart meters and display units

– Social marketing techniques, EcoTeams

– New technologies including micro-generation

• Feedback on energy use shown to reduce consumption by up to 15%


Micro-generation

• Fairly new concept, though not new technology• Generation of low or zero carbon heat or electricity in the

smaller scale• Micro-wind, solar thermal, photovoltaics, ground- and air

source heat pumps, biomass, micro-hydro, combined heat and power

• Provides electricity and heat at the point of demand• 25 million homes, schools, office buildings, business

centres, farms etc…• Fuel poverty• Security of supply


Micro-generation cont.

• Interest from politicians and public high – ‘green bling’• Barriers to development remain• Technical issues

– Does technology work and provide what is promised?• Regulatory issues

– Planning -> some Local Authorities do not approve– Financial -> Low Carbon Buildings Programme and lack of grants,

rewards for export– Metering– Health & Safety

• Potential for behavioural change?– Are those who install micro-generation more aware of energy use and

its climate impacts?– Role of energy efficiency


Key information resources - behaviour

• Academic journals– American Psychologist; Energy and Buildings; Energy Policy;

Environment and Behavior; Journal of Consumer Research

• Books– Goldblatt D. (2005) Sustainable Energy Consumption and Society :

Personal, Technological, or Social Change? Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

• Conference proceedings– European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Summer Study

• Government reports & policy documents– Sustainable Development Commission, Defra, Environment, Food and

Rural Affairs Committee

• Personal communication


Key information resources – micro-generation

• Government reports & policy documents– Government Microgeneration Strategy -> DTI (2006). Our

Energy Challenge, Power from the people– Department of Communities and Local Government -> planning

related documents– Ofgem -> metering

• Conference presentations rather than proceedings• Trade bodies & industry relations

– British Wind Energy Association, Micropower Council, Renewable Energy Association

• Personal communication– Stakeholders, policy makers, industry


Conclusions

• Behaviour is complex and affected by several factors• Energy consuming behaviours are not easily changed – require

a combination of measures• Changing energy consuming behaviours has to take into

consideration internal and external factors• Intervention measures have to be cost-effective, convenient,

relevant and simple – micro-generation not there yet• Make energy saving behaviours socially admirable and give

people better tools to start saving• Wide range of information sources available on behaviour; less

so on micro-generation, but increasing


Thank you

Contact:

Mari Martiskainen, Research Officer

[email protected]

Tel. 01273 873630

www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexenergygroup

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