Transcript Document

Smart Meter Advisory
Project:
Motivating behaviour change
by linking real time energy
data to advice services
Elizabeth Leighton
Strategy Manager, Energy Saving Trust
4 September 2014
BEHAVE Energy Conference
Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Introduction
• How can smart meter energy
consumption data be used to
drive behaviour change?
• Link to Home Energy Scotland –
free, impartial advisory service,
funded by Scottish Government.
• Two phases (2012-2014)
funded by Scottish Government
and Northern Periphery
Programme.
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
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Research Objectives
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Research Objectives
Demonstrate the feasibility of linking smart meter data
with nationally-funded advice service.
Develop an online web-tool with personalised advice
to drive energy saving behaviours.
Explore the extent to which the web-tool and advisory
service resulted in energy and carbon saving, and
alleviation of fuel poverty.
Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Methodology
Phase 1
Develop online web-tool
Install smart metering equipment
in homes
Pilot web-tool – 33 participants
Develop advice content
Proactive and reactive advice to
participants
Evaluate use and impact
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Phase 2
Improve web-tool interface
Develop advice on behaviour
change measures and savings
Enhance display of energy
consumption data
Provide additional advice and
support to encourage use of
web-tool
Evaluate use and impact
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
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Advice and support
Each month:
• automated email from web-tool on
latest energy consumption.
• email from advisor encouraging use
of tool.
• Follow-up call from adviser.
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Evaluation
• Online survey of participants.
• In-depth qualitative interviews with participants and advisers.
• Energy consumption data compared before and after project.
• Web-tool use analysed.
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
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Phase 1 - Findings
• Linking smart meter data to advisory service is technically viable.
• Householders not resistant to smart meters, but may need
persuading to use them.
• Participants valued the smart meter advisory service.
• Some increased energy saving behaviours.
• High interest in ‘oil smart meter’.
• Phase 1 evaluation http://www.octesnpp.eu/documents/SMAPReportMarch2013.pdf
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
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Phase 2 - Findings
78%
Used the tool
one or more times
a month
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Phase 2 Findings – Usage of Tool
First
Wednesday
of the month
Third week
of the month
Spikes in use appear to correlate with email prompts
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
What did they like?
• Energy information rather than just the
figures/readings on the smart meter
equipment.
• Easy to understand data through an
easy to use web-tool platform.
• Monetary values alongside energy
units/data.
• Data comparisons between days/time
periods.
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89%
Feel positive about
Smart meter systems
Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
In their own words….
“A useful resource that I can dip in and out of to keep track of different
daily energy use and why this occurs. It has helped us to continue our
downward trend of annual energy use.”
“The smart meter allows me to monitor each day how my electricity
and oil are being used. I can plan hot water use much better. Also
because oil is so expensive I target using it much better.”
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Benefits of the service
89%
Increased
understanding of
energy use
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Installation of measures
As a result of being involved in the project:
• 16 energy saving measures have been installed and 18 are
planned to be installed (out of 18 respondents).
• Most common installations were energy efficient lighting and loft
insulation.
• Two householders are planning to install renewables.
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Benefits and impact – energy data
Energy usage compared before and after access to web-tool:
• 11 out of the 26 homes in phase 2 of the SMAP project significantly
reduced their energy consumption.
• When warmer weather during the second phase of project factored
in, 20% still made a significant reduction.
Why didn’t behaviour changes or installations result in more savings?
• Short timescale .
• Households may have ‘taken comfort’ with savings.
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
BEHAVE Energy Conference 2014
Conclusions
Raised awareness led to behaviour change and installation of measures.
Householders found web-tool user-friendly and helpful.
Advisers could tailor their advice based on smart meter data.
Adviser support appreciated, though web-tool largely self-explanatory.
Regular prompts appeared to correlate with spikes in web-tool use.
Seems to be easier to identify changes in appliance use rather than heating.
A smart meter offering could contribute to national energy and carbon saving,
and help protect people from fuel poverty.
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Smart Meter Advisory Project
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Next steps
• Home Energy Scotland advice service could be enhanced by
linking with smart meter data.
• Feasibility study underway to explore best option for a Home
Energy Scotland ‘smart offering’.
• Study will include:
o Review of smart meter ‘landscape’.
o Data handling and protection issues.
o Including oil smart meters.
o Improving web-tool based on feedback.
o Cost.
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Questions?