Smart technology for homes - An integrated approach to sustainable development

Ruud Trines and Cuno van Geet, NOVEM

Abstract

In this paper a package of interventions is formulated based on a new market approach to stimulate energy savings in homes. New information and communication technology is used as a driving market force, which stimulates the integration of energy systems and other functions. This development is used to stimulate parties from various market sectors and different government departments to co-operate and realise a synergy to meet both the goals of the energy policy and important social and economic targets.

The interventions are initiated to give energy savings indirectly a more important - and largely more positive - role for both the consumer and various players who are currently almost entirely unfamiliar with the concept of energy saving. In combination with behaviour interventions, these developments will in all probability lead in time to an increase in public support for energy saving measures.

The approach is considered necessary, because economic prosperity and technological developments lead both directly and indirectly to an increase in energy consumption. In order to attain the targets for energy use, new ways of combining prosperity with the saving of energy are required. "Smart technology for homes" is such a new approach. Based on discussions with parties in the market and consumer research the interventions will in 2001 focus on a market approach to

integrate security, care and energy saving measures and investigate other product-market combinations and
make information and knowledge available to relevant parties and
stimulate co-operation between currently divided market sectors.