5,921 research outputs found
Sustainable consumption: towards action and impact. : International scientific conference November 6th-8th 2011, Hamburg - European Green Capital 2011, Germany: abstract volume
This volume contains the abstracts of all oral and poster presentations of the international scientific conference âSustainable Consumption â Towards Action and Impactâ held in Hamburg (Germany) on November 6th-8th 2011. This unique conference aims to promote a comprehensive academic discourse on issues concerning sustainable consumption and brings together scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines.
In modern societies, private consumption is a multifaceted and ambivalent phenomenon: it is a ubiquitous social practice and an economic driving force, yet at the same time, its consequences are in conflict with important social and environmental sustainability goals. Finding paths towards âsustainable consumptionâ has therefore become a major political issue. In order to properly understand the challenge of âsustainable consumptionâ, identify unsustainable patterns of consumption and bring forward the necessary innovations, a collaborative effort of researchers from different disciplines is needed
Responsible Environmental Behavior, Energy Conservation, and Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: You Can Lead a Horse to Water, But Can You Make It Drink?
Despite professing to care about the environment and supporting environmental causes, individuals behave in environmentally irresponsible ways like driving when they can take public transportation, littering, or disposing of toxic materials in unsound ways. This is the author\u27s fourth exploration of how to encourage individuals to stop behaving irresponsibly about the environment they allege to care deeply about. The prior three articles all explored how the norm of environmental protection could be enlisted in this effort; this article applies those theoretical conclusions to the very practical task of getting people to switch the type of light bulb they use.
To accomplish this, the article synthesizes the previous articles into an assumption about the critical role of norms in changing personal behavior and tests that assumption by exploring how to make individuals more responsible consumers of electricity and adhere to the concrete norm of energy conservation by swapping out their incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (âCFLsâ). The agreed upon goal behind energy conservation is to reduce the countryâs reliance on fossil fuel-based energy production, thus reducing the emission of harmful airborne pollutants and greenhouse gases as well as the related environmental harms associated with coal production. One way to reduce residential energy consumption is to persuade individuals to switch to CFLs. Up to ninety percent of energy produced by incandescent bulbs is lost as heat; switching to CFLs is one way to prevent this energy loss
EU Privacy seals project: Challenges and Possible Scope of an EU Privacy Seal Scheme. Final Report Study Deliverable 3.4
The objective of this report is focus on the challenges of implementing an effective EU privacy seal and its possible scope. It returns the focus to privacy and data protection, and presents further groundwork to feed into Task 4 of the Study (Proposals and evaluation of options for an EU-wide privacy seals scheme). Where relevant, research results and analyses of Tasks 1 and 2 are used.
First, the report assesses the gaps in current privacy seal sector. Next, it highlights the advantages of, priorities for and possible scope of an EU privacy seal scheme. Eventually, four case studies (CCTV systems, cloud services, smart metering systems and biometric systems) illustrate the possible scope of an EU privacy seal scheme and demonstrate whether an EU privacy seals scheme would bring any added value to privacy and data protection.JRC.G.6-Digital Citizen Securit
Is It Money Or The Environment? An Empirical Analysis of Factors Influencing Consumersâ Intention to Adopt the Smart Metering Technology
The Smart Metering Technology (SMT) is an essential building block of smart grids. It facilitates demand-reduction and -shifting and is supposed to trigger behavioral and economic changes in householdsâ energy consumption. While technology adoption in the workplace has been studied extensively, evidence as to residential settings is rather limited. Likewise, the IS-community has been reluctant in addressing issues regarding environmental sustainability. This study aims at bridging these gaps by investigating the factors influencing consumersâ intention to adopt the SMT. Building upon the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) we propose an interdisciplinary research model. The model was empirically tested using data collected from 284 potential adopters. The results implicate that apart from the major determinant attitude, intention is driven by secondary sourcesâ influence and environmental concerns. The findings will help refining researchersâ understanding of SMT-adoption and will be useful for all stakeholders interested in SMT-diffusion
Prosumer behaviour in emerging electricity systems
This dissertation investigates the interface between technology and society in the emerging electricity systems and in particular the role of the energy prosumer in the energy transition. It contributes to the understanding of the role of consumers in emerging electricity systems within the current EU energy policy context where consumer active participation is regarded as "a prerequisite for managing the energy transition successfully and in a cost-effective way". Emerging energy systems are characterized by a high level of complexity, especially for what concerns the behaviour of social actors. Social actors interact through physical and social networks by sharing information and learning from one another through social interactions. These interactions determine self-organization and emergent behaviours in energy consumption patterns and practices. I argue that the best suited tool to study emergent behaviours in energy consumption patterns and practices, and to investigate how consumers' preferences and choices lead to macro behaviours is agent based modelling. To build a sound characterization of the energy prosumer, I review the current social psychology and behavioural theories on sustainable consumption and collect evidence from EU energy prosumers surveys, studies and demand side management pilot projects. I employ these findings to inform the development of an agent based model of the electricity prosumer, Subjective Individual Model of Prosumer â SIMP, and its extended version, SIMP-N, that includes the modelling of the social network.
I apply SIMP and SIMP-N models to study the emergence in consumer systems and how values and beliefs at consumer level (as defined by social psychology and behavioural theories and informed by empirical evidence) and social dynamics lead to macro behaviours. More specifically, I explore the diffusion of smart grid technologies enabled services among a population of interacting prosumers and evaluate the impact of such diffusion on individual and societal performance indicators under different policy scenarios and contextual factors. The analysis of the simulation results provides interesting insights on how different psychological characteristics, social dynamics and technological elements can strongly influence consumers' choices and overall system performance. I conclude proposing a framework for an integrated approach to modelling emerging energy systems and markets that extend the SIMP model to also include markets, distribution system operator and the electricity network
An Empirical Assessment of Energy Management Information System Success Using Structural Equation Modeling
The Energy Industry utilizes Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) smart meters to monitor utility consumersâ energy consumption, communicate energy consumption information to consumers, and to collect a plethora of energy consumption data about consumer usage. The EMIS energy consumption information is typically presented to utility consumers via a smart meter web portal. The hope is that EMIS web portal use will aid utility consumers in managing their energy consumption by helping them make effective decisions regarding their energy usage. However, little research exists that evaluates the effectiveness or success of an EMIS smart meter web portal from a utility consumer perspective. The research goal was to measure EMIS smart meter web portal success based on the DeLone and McLean Information Success Model. The objective of the study was to investigate the success constructs system quality, information quality, service quality, use, and user satisfaction, and determine their contribution to EMIS success, which was measured as net benefits. The research model used in this study employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) to determine the validity and reliability of the measurement model and to evaluate the hypothetical relationships in the structural model. The significant validity and reliability measures obtained in this study indicate that the DeLone and McLean Information Success Model (2003) has the potential for use in future EMIS studies. The determinants responsible for explaining the variance in net benefits were EMIS use and user satisfaction. Based on the research findings, several implications and future research are stated and proposed
Meeting the challenge of zero carbon homes : a multi-disciplinary review of the literature and assessment of key barriers and enablers
Within the built environment sector, there is an increasing pressure on professionals to consider the impact of development upon the environment. These pressures are rooted in sustainability, and particularly climate change. But what is meant by sustainability? It is a term whose meaning is often discussed, the most common definition taken from the Bruntland report as âsustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needsâ (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). In the built environment, the sustainability issues within the environment, social and economic spheres are often expressed through design considerations of energy, water and waste. Given the Stern Reportâs economic and political case for action with respect to climate change (Stern, 2006) and the IPCCâs Fourth Assessment Reportâs confirmation of the urgency of the climate change issue and itâs root causes (IPCC, 2007), the need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change is currently high on the political agenda. Excess in carbon dioxide concentrations over the natural level have been attributed to anthropogenic sources, most particularly the burning of carbon-based fossil fuels. Over 40% of Europeâs energy and 40% of Europeâs carbon dioxide emissions arise from use of energy in buildings. Energy use in buildings is primarily for space heating, water heating, lighting and appliance use. Professionals in the built environment can therefore play a significant role in meeting targets for mitigating the effects of climate change. The UK Government recently published the Code for Sustainable Homes (DCLG, 2006). Within this is the objective of development of zero carbon domestic new build dwellings by 2016. It is the domestic zero carbon homes agenda which is the focus of this report. The report is the culmination of a research project, funded by Northumbria University, and conducted from February 2008 to July 2008, involving researchers from the Sustainable Cities Research Institute (within the School of the Built Environment) and academics, also from within the School. The aim of the project was to examine, in a systematic and holistic way, the critical issues, drivers and barriers to building and adapting houses to meet zero carbon targets. The project involved a wide range of subject specialisms within the built environment and took a multi-disciplinary approach. Practitioner contribution was enabled through a workshop. The focus of this work was to review the academic literature on the built environment sector and its capabilities to meet zero carbon housing targets. It was not possible to undertake a detailed review of energy efficiency or micro-generation technologies, the focus of the research was instead in four focussed areas: policy, behaviour, supply chain and technology.What follows is the key findings of the review work undertaken. Chapter One presents the findings of the policy and regulation review. In Chapter Two the review of behavioural aspects of energy use in buildings is presented. Chapter Three presents the findings of the review of supply chain issues. Chapter Four presents the findings of the technology review, which focuses on phase change materials. A summary of the key barriers and enablers, and areas for future research work, concludes this report in Chapter Five. Research is always a work in progress, and therefore comments on this document are most welcome, as are offers of collaboration towards solutions. The School of the Built Environment at Northumbria University strives to embed its research in practical applications and solutions to the need for a low carbon economy
Involvement of smart end-users in a Smart Grid
To reach the 20-20-20 goals set by EU in 2009, all parts of the electricity system must be made more efficient. The previous fit-and-forget system must be left behind for a more active grid design. This also means that end-users must become an active part of the power grid. Consumers should be able to actively sell and buy their own energy and control their own usage of energy, or allow for a third party to handle this. A large part of the smart grid will be realized by using computer technology and telecommunication, which can send information to the different parts of the electricity grid. This makes it possible to make complex decisions, based on large quantities of collected data, concerning the most beneficial grid control decisions. This also enables energy efficiency throughout the entire electricity grid, all the way from production through transmission and distribution, including customer premises. This will help Finland reach the 202020 goals, but also achieve a function of the electricity grid that aligns with todayâs expectations and demand for functionality.
In this thesis the features that may arise from the development of a new smarter electricity grid has been investigated and how these functions align with the ordinary electricity consumers' interest and expectations on functionality. Demand response, distributed generation, energy storage systems, home automation systems and interactive user interfaces are some of the discussed features. The behavior of the end-users was researched through literature studies and by analyzing customer contacts at Fortum. The analysis showed two main reasons for contacting Fortum. Forced contacts, like customers moving, are matters that could be solved to some extent by interactive user-interfaces. The investigative contacts showed customer interest in electricity prices and agreements but also problems with understanding the electricity bill. In this thesis the Rogers' model for diffusion of innovations has also been described and used to analyze smart grid and smart house technology. The main result of the thesis is the definition of a collection of smart house functionalities that would serve as a good base for the development of added value services.fi=OpinnÀytetyö kokotekstinÀ PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=LÀrdomsprov tillgÀngligt som fulltext i PDF-format
Guidance on Stimulus Materials
PACHELBEL WP4 âStimulus Materialsâ uses findings from WP3 (Policy Assumptions) and from additional sources to prepare stimulus materials for the group-based process âSTAVEâ implemented in WP5. The output was material to inform and stimulate the group-based process. The material was of two types: a set of questionnaires common to all partners (EVOC/CAPA/SIMI questionnaires), and material that is issue-specific and individually produced for each country.
EVOC/CAPA/SIMI short questionnaires serve as a comparative tool between countries, giving insight on the social construction of âsustainable consumptionâ across the PACHELBEL population. Partners asked participants to fill out the set individually at the first meeting of the STAVE group, results were then analyzed and data were fed back for discussion by group participants at their second meeting. A âre-testâ was then conducted at the third of three group meetings. The present report details the representations revealed through this methodology â but moreover the impact of applying such a technique in STAVE groups in France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK (where the methodology was slightly altered).
The issue-and-country-specific material consists of an informative simulated newspaper article on the particular issue addressed in a given STAVE process, and/or other materials (for example, humorous drawings). The report details how this material was developed, and the experience of applying these stimulus materials in each country. On this basis, guidance for future STAVE processes is offered.
Foremost among observations is that PACHELBEL stimulus materials serve a purpose that is distinct from that of âgroup exercisesâ as developed in WP5. The materials contributing to the formation of a group identity, a reflexive group norm, and a shared information basis. As such, stimulus materials prepare the group for a cooperative investigative process
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