Theoretical perspective on rebound effects from a social science point of view: Working paper to prepare empirical psychological and sociological studies in the REBOUND project

The replacement of appliances and other energy using products by more efficient ones is generally regarded as an effective strategy to reduce energy demand. However, the savings realized by this strategy may be lower than those theoretically expected or calculated from a technological point of view due to changes of behaviour following the acquisition. This phenomenon is known as the rebound effect. While scientists generally agree on the existence of rebound effects, size, relevance and explanations of such effects are controversially discussed. This paper discusses concepts to explain rebound effects from a psychological as well as sociological point of view. In particular, an approach which combines variables from psychological action theories with the sociological life-style concept is suggested as a framework for studying determinants of rebound effects. --

What makes them believe in the low-carbon energy transition? Exploring corporate perceptions of the credibility of climate policy mixes

The credibility of climate policy has been identified as paramount factor for low-carbon investment and innovation and is thus key to achieving the decarbonization objectives set out in the Paris Agreement. Yet, despite its importance, we have only limited insights at present into how such policy credibility is formed. To address this gap, we explore whether and to what extent corporate perceptions of policy credibility depend on the current policy mix. We draw on the case of the German Energiewende and rely on data collected in 2014 in a survey of German manufacturers of renewable power generation technologies. We analyzed the answers of 390 companies using a linear regression model and found that corporate perceptions of policy credibility are mainly shaped by two characteristics of the policy mix: the coherence of policymaking and implementa-tion, and the consistency of the policy mix. Changes in the design of the core demand-pull instrument (in Germany, the Renewable Energy Sources Act, EEG) and the nucle-ar phase-out policy are also important as are Germany’s targets for the expansion of renewable energies. These insights enable us to derive broader policy and research implications concerning climate policy credibility

Variable Stromtarife aus Kundensicht: Akzeptanzstudie auf Basis einer Conjoint-Analyse

Das Energiewirtschaftsgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland schreibt Energieversorgern vor, bis Ende 2010 lastabhängige und/oder zeitvariable Stromtarife anzubieten. Bisher ist jedoch noch wenig über die Einschätzung dieser Tarifmodelle durch die Konsumenten bekannt. Jedoch nur wenn solche flexiblen Tarife neben den Anforderungen der Energieversorgungsunternehmen (EVU) auch den Bedürfnissen der Kunden Rechnung tragen, können die gewünschten Effekte Lastverlagerung und Energieeinsparung realisiert werden. Die vorliegende Studie ermittelt deshalb Konsumentenpräferenzen in Bezug auf entsprechende Stromtarife auf Basis einer Conjoint-Analyse mit 160 Befragten. Dieses Verfahren erlaubt es, von der Beurteilung ganzer Produktkonzepte auf die Nutzenwerte einzelner Merkmalsausprägungen zu schließen. D. h. im vorliegenden Fall, die Attraktivität der einzelnen Tarifkomponenten zu bestimmen. Die Ergebnisse liefern konkrete Hinweise für die Gestaltung von Tarifmodellen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass Stromkunden einen statischen Tarif bevorzugen, und dass der Nutzen für die Kunden mit steigendem Grad der Dynamik des Tarifs, d.h. der Häufigkeit und Regelmäßigkeit der Schwankung des kWh-Preises, abnimmt. Darüber hinaus wird eine geringe Schwankungsbreite des Preises je kWh gegenüber einer höheren Schwankungsbreite bevorzugt. Für das Lastmanagements bevorzugen die Befragten programmierbare Haushaltsgeräte, die automatisch auf Preissignale reagieren gegenüber einer manuellen Steuerung. Insgesamt weisen die Ergebnisse somit daraufhin, dass eine breite Einführung variabler Tarife vermutlich nur in Kombination mit einer automatischen Steuerung zu positiven Effekten führen kann, da die Konsumenten statische Tarife bevorzugen, mit denen der Umgang im Alltag einfacher ist. --Variable Stromtarife,Lastverschiebung,Kundenakzeptanz,Smart Home

Smart Homes as a Means to Sustainable Energy Consumption: A Study of Consumer Perceptions

European and national policies are aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency - also in the household sector. For this purpose, new solutions for private homes based on information and communication technologies (ICT) are being developed and tested. However, up to now, hardly anyone has seen, experienced or lived in an environment that offers the full range of ICT-based energy management solutions. In this study, consumer reactions to a fully furnished and equipped smart home are analysed using focus groups (four groups with a total of 29 participants). The analysis looks at consumer perceptions of and reactions to an energy management system which optimizes electricity consumption based on different ICT solutions. The topics that were demonstrated in practice and then discussed with the participants included variable tariffs, smart metering, smart appliances, and home automation. In general, there were positive group reactions to the smart home environment. Consumers saw many advantages for themselves; especially the chance to save money. However, giving up high levels of flexibility and adapting everyday routines to fit in with electricity tariffs were regarded as difficult. Smart appliances and smart meters were therefore considered to be necessary elements by most participants. Concerns regarding data privacy played a major role in one of the groups

Electric Vehicle Procurement Decisions in Fleets : Results of a Case Study in South-Western Germany

In order to increase the market share of electric vehicles (EV) in Germany, further insights on actors and structures of EV specific procurement decisions for fleets are necessary. Our analysis focuses on vehicles registered by companies/organizations as they dominate new vehicle registrations in Germany. The following question is examined empirically: Which departments influence EV procurement decisions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), in large-scale enterprises (LSE) and in public organizations (PO) and what are the differences compared to these departments' influences on internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) procurement decisions? Our results show that EV procurement decisions of organizations in South-West Germany are decisively influenced by upper management levels and partly by organizations' fleet management departments. In small and medium-sized enterprises sales- and public relations departments have a major influence on EV procurement decisions. These findings are important for stakeholders interested in selling EVs or in designing policies that are more effective in influencing organizations' decision making concerning future EV procurement decisions

Roadmap zur Kundenakzeptanz: Zentrale Ergebnisse der sozialwissenschaftlichen Begleitforschung in den Modellregionen

--Elektromobilität

Exploring the Role of Cities in Electrifying Passenger Transportation

Key Takeaways1. The electrification of passenger vehicles should be one part of a city’s transportation plan. Shifting from internal combustion engine vehicles to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) can improve urban air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy consumption.2. Recent studies show that electric vehicle awareness is low even in mature markets; cities should promote electric vehicles to residents by leveraging existing promotional campaigns.3. Various financial and non-financial incentives can effectively encourage electric vehicle uptake, including: free, discounted, or preferential-location parking; free or reduced road and bridge tolls; and allowing electric vehicles to drive in bus or carpool lanes.4. Several cities are restricting or planning to restrict the access that internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) have to certain areas. If these restrictions apply to most (or all) passenger ICEVs, they can promote PEV purchase and use in cities.5. Infrastructure development in cities should follow the same fundamental approach as that used outside of cities. The priority should be ensuring that PEV owners and prospective PEV buyers have access to charging at or near home. Workplace and public charging should be developed for those who cannot access charging at or near home.6. Cities should be strategic in their approach, first identifying the goals they want to achieve, and then exploring what steps they can take to meet these goals. The steps available will likely differ between cities due to the different ways in which roads, parking, and any other vehicle infrastructure is governed

Critical perspectives on disruptive innovation and energy transformation

What are ‘disruption’ and ‘disruptive innovation’? And what relevance do they have for energy transformation? Ten critical perspectives offer ten contrasting responses to these questions. The relevance of Christensen’s canonical definition of disruptive innovation is highly contested in its applicability to energy and climate challenges, as is the usefulness of analysing discrete business models or technologies rather than socio-technical systems. Further research on disruptive innovation and energy transformation needs to tackle: (i) the social, systemic and emissions impact of widespread adoption; (ii) how to mitigate the adverse distributional consequences of disruption; (iii) the consumer appeal of ‘good enough’ products for users marginalised or excluded from mainstream markets; (iv) the role of incumbents in system transformation; and (v) the reasons for geographic variation in disruption processes currently underway