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The role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in household energy consumption—prospects for the UK

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Abstract

Growing concerns about climate change and energy security have led to a strong focus on energy demand reduction and energy efficiency within United Kingdom (UK) energy policy. At the same time, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become pervasive in society and this has brought with it new policy options which use them as enabling technologies. One such policy option planned for implementation in the UK is the use of smart meters and real-time displays to encourage people to become more aware of their energy consumption and possibly change their energy-related behaviours. Smart meters and display units by definition link individuals, technologies and society, and their effectiveness is influenced by a range of factors. Ten semi-structured stakeholder interviews with industry, government and academia and a review of literature were conducted in order to identify which factors are most likely to contribute to the effectiveness of implementing smart meters and real-time displays in the UK. Further analysis showed a number of key themes and perspectives on behavioural change, particularly as they relate to household electricity use and the role of smart meters in the UK energy policy, including the role of ICTs in energy demand reduction more generally.

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Notes

  1. As of 28 June 2007, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was superseded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was established in October 2008 and deals with UK energy and climate policy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Jim Watson for his valuable comments. The authors also acknowledge the funding support from EdF Energy and the Economic and Social Research Council for two research projects which were used as the basis for this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sussex Energy Group, SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research), University of Sussex, Freeman Centre, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QE, UK

    Mari Martiskainen & Josie Coburn

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  1. Mari Martiskainen
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  2. Josie Coburn
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Correspondence to Mari Martiskainen.

Appendix

Appendix

List of interviewees

  • Charles Hargreaves, Head of Energy Efficiency, Ofgem, 22/6/2007.

  • Pedro Guertler, Senior Researcher, Association for the Conservation of Energy, 26/6/2007.

  • Alastair Manson, Consultant, Energy Retail Association, 26/6/2007.

  • Geoff Hatherick, Head of Consumer Policy, DBERR, 2/7/2007.

  • Sarah Darby, Research Councils’ Energy Programme Research Fellow, Environmental Change Institute, 3/7/2007.

  • Bob Lowe, Marketing Manager, Horstmann, 3/7/2007.

  • Government Official, Defra, 4/7/2007.

  • Jane Franklin, Commercial Metering Manager, Npower, 4/7/2007.

  • Alan Knight-Scott, Regulatory, Legal and External Communications Manager, EDF Energy, Home Technology Programme, 4/7/2007.

  • Richard Woods, Business Development Director, DIY Kyoto, 4/7/2007.

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Martiskainen, M., Coburn, J. The role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in household energy consumption—prospects for the UK. Energy Efficiency 4, 209–221 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-010-9094-2

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