Integration of smart-grid technologies in the everyday life

Background Overall aim To get more Renewables into the energy system Knowledge on users management of smart grid technologies Help to fill out the lack of research on integration of peak-shaving peak-technologies in the end-user design Challenges To balance consumption and production in the energy system To engage users to manage their consumption Solution Smart-grids potential to balance fluctuations through flexible (intelligent EV) load-management

Overall research question How do Electric Vehicles and Dynamic Pricing influence on households everyday social practices? Purpose: To get a more complex understanding of households perceptions according to integrate smart-grid technology into their everyday

Case-study 18 test-pilots from two Danish towns (context: Country-side, southern part of Jutland), participated in the two demonstration projects ’Test-an-EV’ and ’Project Dynamic Pricing’ during 5 months in the summer-period 2012 Project ‘Test-an-EV’ ‘Project Dynamic Pricing’

Method and empirical material Qualitative interviews with 8 households Selection: widest variation on socio-economic parameters among the 18 participants Front-runners & first-adopters, huge engagement and interest in the EV technology Focus: everyday changes (routines and habits) according to the two new technologies Participant observation on information meetings (car-handover, mid-time evaluation) A Survey to the test-pilots (evaluation carried out by CLEVER)

Analytical approach The empirical materiel is analysed through the SPT concept Social Practice Theory Offers a concept to ‘understand and explain’ dynamics (development, persistence and changes) in social practices The conceptualisation focuses on the dynamic of practices in everyday life Sociological theory, BUT recognises the meaning of materiality Technology Technology Know-how and embodied knowledge Institutionalised knowledge and explicit ‘rules’ Social practice

Changes in test-pilots everyday life Analytical strategy Changes are identified through the 4 elements and their interactions 2 new social practices Technology Technology Know-how and embodied knowledge Engagement Institutionalised knowledge and explicit ‘rules’ 1. New driving performances & 2. New consumption patterns (consumption during night)

1. New driving performances EV-technology is constantly compared with conventional technology Even though EVs look like conventional cars, the test-pilots developed……. Technology Technology

New driving techniques (due to the limited range + battery capacity) Increased awareness of driving distances and consumption during driving Developed more ‘economic’, sustainable driving techniques to save power – competition Increased awareness of other people in the traffic (due to the silence of the car) Expectations: The new driving techniques will spill-over on conventional car driving Know-how and embodied knowledge 1. New driving performances

Load-management (2 ½ months individual and 2 ½ months central management, controlled by CLEVER) Individual charging In general the everyday EV charging was unproblematic > the charging process was perceived as a routine which was an integrated part of the evening ritual A relief to manage the charging process yourself and be independent of gas stations Problems in manual charging: Either the timer function didn’t work or it was too complicated to managed? When the charging failed (few times) > it felt as a stressful/unsecure element in the everyday (especially among children families) Central load-management A great support and satisfaction by letting CLEVER control the load-management Success criteria: The technology has to be ‘as easy as possible’ Institutionalised knowledge and explicit ‘rules’ 1. New driving performances

Engagement > A prestige full sustainable performance Better conscience and a nicer stomach-feeling A feeling of being more green and environmental friendly A belief in EVs as the auto mobility technology in the future Proud about their EV-driving > positive support from the outside world > excellent ambassadors More frequent driving in stead of walking and biking A need for an extra car (An experience of freedom and enhanced mobility and comfort, BUT not realistic expenses! Engagement 1. New driving performances

2. New consumption patterns All households moved their flexible electricity consumption to the night time during the project Flexible electricity-consumption: dishing, laundry, tumble drying and EV-charging Motivated by the dynamic net tariffs New (morning) routines and habits Empty the dishwasher Hang up laundry Especially children families express the mornings as more busy (less flexible), but in general unproblematic

An economic, participatory and environmental incentive Huge economic incentive > ‘the money saving’ factor has huge impact The projects rules/concept have huge influence on the test-pilots expectations and feeling of commitment New consumption patterns developed new routines Engagement Institutionalised knowledge and explicit ‘rules’ 2. New consumption patterns

Increased environmental consciousness and awareness of energy consumption Turn of unnecessary light, installation of timers and acquisition of low energy appliances Self-perceptions: To be more sustainable consumers in the future 2. New consumption patterns

Results/conclusion Peak-shaving technologies change consumption practices in the everyday life. Social practices change through innovation and interaction in the four elements that constitute social practices: technology, engagement, institutionalised rules and/or know-how. The experimental/test element and institutional rules are essential to change consumption patterns and to the degree of participation, ownership and commitment. The participatory element has increased awareness of environmental issues and consumption in the test-period. Socio-economic conditions determine the degree of flexibility to change consumption patterns. Success criteria: Technology (load-management) has to be ‘as easy as possible’. Question to further research: To what extent will the new consumption patterns persist after the two demonstration projects end????

Thanks for your attention!