Energy Conservation and the Smart Grid: The Intersection of Identity, Agency and New Energy Technologies

• In Event: 254 - Section on Environment and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 08. Energy Conversation

Abstract

The development of smart electricity grids in the U.S. and elsewhere represents a relatively recent effort to integrate information and communications technologies with electricity distribution networks to provide greater efficiency, flexibility and transparency in the electric system. Through the use of advanced metering devices and new feedback technologies the smart grid offers new opportunities to residential and commercial consumers by making energy consumption more visible, allowing two way communications between utilities and households, and by providing the means for households to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Many social scientists expect that this new energy system will result in an enhanced level of knowledge and understanding about energy consumption patterns and increase household engagement in new energy practices (ranging from distributed energy production to energy conservation). In fact, data from several recent studies suggests that feedback can result in significant energy savings, ranging from 4 to 12 percent depending on the technologies employed, the characteristics of the program and other relevant factors (Darby et al. 2009; Ehrhardt-Martinez et al. 2010). This paper sets out to explore some of the ways in which these new technologies are reshaping energy-related conservation strategies and behaviors and their impact on electricity consumption while providing some preliminary thoughts concerning the role of identity and agency in shaping the emerging patterns.

Author

• Karen Ehrhardt-Martinez, Human Dimensions Research Associates