REDUCE: Reshaping Energy Demand of Users by Communication Technology and Economic Incentives (Part 2 of the call)

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Basic and strategic applied research

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Economics and Econometrics)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Psychology)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Systems Analysis related to energy R&D
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)

Dr M A Imran
Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR)
University of Surrey

Standard

EPSRC

01 October 2010

31 December 2013

39 months

£1,147,554

Energy

South East

Energy Multidisciplinary Applications

Dr M A Imran, Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR), University of Surrey

Professor B Evans, Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR), University of Surrey
Dr B Gatersleben, Psychology, University of Surrey
Prof M Leach, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey
Professor R Tafazolli, Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR), University of Surrey
Professor D Uzzell, Psychology, University of Surrey

Dr A Gluhak, Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey
Dr J Torriti, Construction Management and Engineering, University of Reading

Project Contact, Thales Group, France
Project Contact, Woking Borough Council

Extensive work has been carried out on the technological, economic and societal potential for better management of energy demand. Huge potential of demand side management can only be exploited by exploring new ways to induce shifts of demand during peaks and hence reduce marginal costs. Digital communication technology can play a vital role in inducing this shift by enabling communication between the devices and the users. A holistic view of the interaction of all key-players - energy devices, energy supplier and energy users - is missing and this project aims at investigating this interaction using a multidisciplinary research team.The overall objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of using network technologies and sensor devices now being used in telecommunications, to create a Persuasive Energy-conscious Network (PEN) in a real life pilot setting and then study the potential impact on user behaviour leading to reductions in, and shifts in patterns of, loads of electricity. The project will aim to quantify the savings in carbon footprint (and operational energy cost) of the pilot test-bed when digital technologies (PEN) are deployed. It will also study the response of the users of the proposed monitoring and control system.As part of this research project, we will establish an autonomous self learning network of the sensors, energy consuming devices and users of energy. Self descriptive devices will be enabled to send meta-data describing relevant details of their energy consumption and context (time, task urgency etc.). The network will collect the data and create an energy consumption knowledge-base. The novel middleware will be incorporated that will run the modules of self learning and decision making to trigger actions that will shape the energy demand using specified goals. For this purpose, we will use the University of Surrey campus as initial test-bed.Technological interventions are more likely to achieve the intended energy savings if the interventions are designed with an understanding of how users view and interact with their energy systems. Within psychology, a wealth of research is available which shows that the type and format of information given to users can have a strong influence on their response. We know very little about how individuals may respond to flexible intelligent systems. We aim to examine the behavioural responses to the implementation of intelligent technologies that aim to reduce energy use in buildings.There are various ways of incentivising consumers to change load patterns. One of them is through financial models aimed at fostering the demand responsiveness of consumers. Those consumers who proactively engage in reducing or shifting their loads and significantly react to price signals should be rewarded by paying less for their electricity consumption. Part of this research will focus on the development of a financial model for an incentive/payment scheme and testing such financial modelson the campus test-bed.As an outcome of the research we will deliver a pilot test bed for the autonomous and self learning Persuasive Energy-conscious Network. The psychological studies will be reported on likely expected behavioural responses of the users to the proposed technologies. A financial model will be implemented and its impact on energy demand transformation will be provided with quantified results of savings in terms of energy cost and CO2 emissions.The research will have targeted collaboration with the users of research such as the industrial researchers (e.g. Thales Research and Technologies), individual energy users (University students and staff) and corporate users of energy (University of Surrey's Estates and Facilities) and government bodies (Woking Borough Council) to highlight the potential of using the digital technology in meeting the requirements of these players in this research

03/11/10