Transcript Sussex Energy Group SPRU - Science and

Energy, behaviour and
micro-generation
Mari Martiskainen
Sussex Energy Group
Presentation to Information for Energy Group
Energy Institute
24th May 2007
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
Energy, behaviour and microgeneration
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Introduction to Sussex Energy Group
Behaviour & energy demand
Micro-generation
Key information resources
Summary
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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?
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
Behaviour & energy demand cont.
• 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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
Behaviour & energy demand cont.
• Intervention studies popular in the 1970’s – energy
conservation
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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%
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
Micro-generation cont.
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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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
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
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG
Thank you
Contact:
Mari Martiskainen, Research Officer
[email protected]
Tel. 01273 873630
www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexenergygroup
Sussex Energy Group
SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research
IFEG