A three-dimensional model of residential energy consumer archetypes for local energy policy design in the UK

This paper reviews major studies in three traditional lines of research in residential energy consumption in the UK, i.e. economic/infrastructure, behaviour, and load profiling. Based on the review the paper proposes a three-dimensional model for archetyping residential energy consumers in the UK by considering property energy efficiency levels, the greenness of household behaviour of using energy, and the duration of property daytime occupancy. With the proposed model, eight archetypes of residential energy consumers in the UK have been identified. They are: pioneer greens, follower greens, concerned greens, home stayers, unconscientious wasters, regular wasters, daytime wasters, and disengaged wasters. Using a case study, these archetypes of residential energy consumers demonstrate the robustness of the 3-D model in aiding local energy policy/intervention design in the UK

A three-dimensional model of residential energy consumer archetypes for local energy policy design in the UK

This paper reviews major studies in three traditional lines of research in residential energy consumption in the UK, i.e. economic/infrastructure, behaviour, and load profiling. Based on the review the paper proposes a three-dimensional model for archetyping residential energy consumers in the UK by considering property energy efficiency levels, the greenness of household behaviour of using energy, and the duration of property daytime occupancy. With the proposed model, eight archetypes of residential energy consumers in the UK have been identified. They are: pioneer greens, follower greens, concerned greens, home stayers, unconscientious wasters, regular wasters, daytime wasters, and disengaged wasters. Using a case study, these archetypes of residential energy consumers demonstrate the robustness of the 3-D model in aiding local energy policy/intervention design in the UK. Keywords: archetype, three-dimensional model, residential energy consumer, local energy policy/interventio

Agent-Based Simulation Modelling for Reflecting on Consequences of Digital Mental Health

The premise of this working paper is based around agent-based simulation models and how to go about creating them from given incomplete information. Agent-based simulations are stochastic simulations that revolve around groups of agents that each have their own characteristics and can make decisions. Such simulations can be used to emulate real life situations and to create hypothetical situations without the need for real-world testing prior. Here we describe the development of an agent-based simulation model for studying future digital mental health scenarios. An incomplete conceptual model has been used as the basis for this development. To define differences in responses to stimuli we employed fuzzy decision making logic. The model has been implemented but not been used for structured experimentation yet. This is planned as our next step

Domestic hot water consumption prediction models suited for dwellings in central-southern parts of Chile

Domestic hot water (DHW) consumption in dwellings can play a key role in the development of policies that are focused on energy poverty, and in improving energy efficiency, among other aspects. There is an important variability observed with DHW among different countries due to technical, sociological, climatic, and economic factors. Most studies that deal with DHW predictions are based on stochastic models, and only a few apply time series or statistical methods. In the case of Chile, the country is undergoing a policy development process, and there is little information about DHW consumption. As a result, it is fundamental to have DHW consumption prediction models that are focused on dwelling. For this reason, the study analysed the possibility of using time series models to make future estimations about monthly domestic hot water (DHW) consumption. To this end, consumption data obtained from 98 apartments between 2015 and 2021 were used, and 3 approaches were applied namely, exponential smoothing, basic structural model (BSM), and state-space model (SSM). The results showed that exponential smoothing and state-space methods allowed to obtain satisfactory results with regard to percentage error and confidence levels. Therefore, these models could be used to make future estimations of domestic hot water (DHW) consumption

A three-dimensional model of residential energy consumer archetypes for local energy policy design in the UK

This paper reviews major studies in three traditional lines of research in residential energy consumption in the UK, i.e. economic/infrastructure, behaviour, and load profiling. Based on the review the paper proposes a three-dimensional model for archetyping residential energy consumers in the UK by considering property energy efficiency levels, the greenness of household behaviour of using energy, and the duration of property daytime occupancy. With the proposed model, eight archetypes of residential energy consumers in the UK have been identified. They are: pioneer greens, follower greens, concerned greens, home stayers, unconscientious wasters, regular wasters, daytime wasters, and disengaged wasters. Using a case study, these archetypes of residential energy consumers demonstrate the robustness of the 3-D model in aiding local energy policy/intervention design in the UK. Keywords: archetype, three-dimensional model, residential energy consumer, local energy policy/interventio

Who calls the tune? Stock taking of behavioural consumer protection in Europe

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Edward Elgar via the DOI in this record.In their search for increased effectiveness of policy instruments, European and national policymakers increasingly show interest in behavioural research, as a source for insights on the impact of various policy measures on consumer behaviour. However, policymakers rarely comprehensively follow recommendation of behavioural researchers, due to the need to account for interests other than those of consumers or the disbelief in their applicability and effectiveness. This Chapter discusses to what extent policymakers base their policies on the findings of consumer behaviour research and whether their efforts appear to contribute to increasing the effectiveness of consumer protection measures. The author argues that it may be inappropriate to draw any conclusions as to the soundness of behavioural research as a basis for policymaking from the shortcomings of current measures allegedly relying on its findings, where such measures have implemented behavioural recommendations only partially, due to either normative or factual reasons. Further, the author appeals for more transparency in policymaking based on behavioural insights, particularly the clarification of why policymakers veer away from recommendations based on behavioural research. The impact that behavioural research has had in European and national policymaking is analysed in the area of consumer protection relating to sustainable and healthy consumption. Among the types of policy interventions considered in this Chapter are information obligations (eco-labelling and health claims, but also their information design), measures increasing consumers’ trust (right of withdrawal and trustmarks), as well as regulatory measures (consumer education, tax policies and product bans)

Occupancy Patterns Scoping Review Project

Understanding the occupancy and heating patterns of UK domestic consumers is important for understanding the role of demand-side technologies, such as occupancy-based smart heating controls to manage energy consumption more efficiently.The research undertakes a systematic scoping review to identify and assess the quality of the UK and international evidence on occupancy patterns, to critically review the common methods of measuring occupancy, and to discuss the potential role of occupancy-based smart heating controls in meeting energy savings, thermal comfort and usability requirements.This report was prepared by a team at the University of Southampton and commissioned by the former Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).<br/