Am I as smart as my smart meter is? – Swedish experience of statistics feedback to households

Panel: 8. Dynamics of consumption

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Author:
Jurek Pyrko

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of improved energy feedback (Internet-based energy statistics services) on electricity savings and the potential of changing electricity use patterns in Swedish dwellings. Three case studies were conducted in collaboration with respective grid companies.

The analysis integrated both quantitative and qualitative methods investigating different aspects of customers' electricity consumption, energy behaviour, values and attitudes. Periods "before" and "after" the introduction of feedback were used. The customers were not influenced by the observations. An energy profile exploring differences between users and non-users of the services (in terms of energy-related habits and behaviour) was used.

The main hypothesis of this study assumed that the statistics service, as feedback to households, might lead to lower electricity consumption, thanks to better understanding of energy use patterns and costs. This hypothesis was not confirmed. The results of this study can be summarized in the following conclusions:

• The users of the statistics service have shown either reduced or increased electricity use in the households.

• The explanation why the households using the statistics service often have had increasing electricity usage could be that their rising power consumption caused a need to have better control over electricity needs and energy bills, and households started to use the statistics services for this reason.

• The results did not confirm that users of statistics services have had significantly better energy use and conservation behaviour than non-users. Households that have received the highest grades in the energy use profile belonged often to the user groups "elderly (65 +)" and “home owners”.

• Lack of time, problems with the service and lack of contact with the company were the main reasons why the customers did not use the statistics service.