Upload
lindsay-martin
View
214
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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
Sussex Energy GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
Energy, behaviour and micro-generation
• Introduction to Sussex Energy Group• Behaviour & energy demand• Micro-generation• Key information resources• Summary
Sussex Energy GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
Behaviour & energy demand cont.
• 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%
Sussex Energy GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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
Sussex Energy GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
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 GroupSPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research IFEGIFEG
Thank you
Contact:
Mari Martiskainen, Research Officer
Tel. 01273 873630
www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexenergygroup