Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study
Deploying smart local energy engagement tools (SLEETs) in local energy projects enables users to better observe and control energy, and potentially become active participants in local energy management. Using a cross-project approach, this paper examines the prevalence, effectiveness and inclusivene...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/7/3037 |
| _version_ | 1797608050647891968 |
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| author | Rajat Gupta Sahar Zahiri Johanna Morey |
| author_facet | Rajat Gupta Sahar Zahiri Johanna Morey |
| author_sort | Rajat Gupta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Deploying smart local energy engagement tools (SLEETs) in local energy projects enables users to better observe and control energy, and potentially become active participants in local energy management. Using a cross-project approach, this paper examines the prevalence, effectiveness and inclusiveness of 84 SLEETs deployed in 72 local energy projects in the UK from 2008 to 2018. An original framework for the characterisation of SLEETs was employed, which grouped them into seven types and characterised them in terms of their level of interaction and interface design. Our study shows that information-driven tools were the most popular in community energy groups, while digital energy platforms or interaction tools with numeric interfaces were the most popular in smart local energy system (SLES) initiatives. In contrast, interaction tools with visual interfaces, and tools offering control were found to be less popular. Spatial analysis revealed that SLEETs were mostly deployed in areas with grid constraints (technology), active community energy groups (people) and engaged local authorities (policy). Effective SLEETs were found to stimulate engagement amongst people (social engagement), and between people and technology (operation and control), while inclusive SLEETs enabled the inclusion of vulnerable and low-income households. The acceptance and implementation of SLES initiatives can be enhanced by creating effective and inclusive SLEETs that align with local users’ requirements and are supported by local stakeholders in order to foster trust. In future, there is a need to develop appropriate metrics (key performance indicator) or scoring methods to measure the prevalence, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of SLEETs in a consistent manner. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:39:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc1f1ac4310046938eea930528be7a1a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:39:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc1f1ac4310046938eea930528be7a1a2023-11-17T16:36:34ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-03-01167303710.3390/en16073037Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta StudyRajat Gupta0Sahar Zahiri1Johanna Morey2Low Carbon Building Research Group, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford OX3 0BP, UKLow Carbon Building Research Group, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford OX3 0BP, UKLow Carbon Building Research Group, School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford OX3 0BP, UKDeploying smart local energy engagement tools (SLEETs) in local energy projects enables users to better observe and control energy, and potentially become active participants in local energy management. Using a cross-project approach, this paper examines the prevalence, effectiveness and inclusiveness of 84 SLEETs deployed in 72 local energy projects in the UK from 2008 to 2018. An original framework for the characterisation of SLEETs was employed, which grouped them into seven types and characterised them in terms of their level of interaction and interface design. Our study shows that information-driven tools were the most popular in community energy groups, while digital energy platforms or interaction tools with numeric interfaces were the most popular in smart local energy system (SLES) initiatives. In contrast, interaction tools with visual interfaces, and tools offering control were found to be less popular. Spatial analysis revealed that SLEETs were mostly deployed in areas with grid constraints (technology), active community energy groups (people) and engaged local authorities (policy). Effective SLEETs were found to stimulate engagement amongst people (social engagement), and between people and technology (operation and control), while inclusive SLEETs enabled the inclusion of vulnerable and low-income households. The acceptance and implementation of SLES initiatives can be enhanced by creating effective and inclusive SLEETs that align with local users’ requirements and are supported by local stakeholders in order to foster trust. In future, there is a need to develop appropriate metrics (key performance indicator) or scoring methods to measure the prevalence, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of SLEETs in a consistent manner.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/7/3037user engagementlocal energycommunity energydecentralised energysmart energy tool |
| spellingShingle | Rajat Gupta Sahar Zahiri Johanna Morey Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study Energies user engagement local energy community energy decentralised energy smart energy tool |
| title | Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study |
| title_full | Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study |
| title_short | Enhancing User Engagement in Local Energy Initiatives Using Smart Local Energy Engagement Tools: A Meta Study |
| title_sort | enhancing user engagement in local energy initiatives using smart local energy engagement tools a meta study |
| topic | user engagement local energy community energy decentralised energy smart energy tool |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/7/3037 |
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