Decision-Making Impacts on Energy Consumption Display Design

Abstract

AbstractPolicy makers are considering smart grid technologies such as energy consumption displays (ECD) as a means of changing the behavior of energy consumers. This article provides a review of consumer energy management behavior, presents decision-making models, and considers consumer?technology interface (CTI) display guidelines in ECD design. Existing research finds the underlying drivers of energy management behavior to be existing motivators and sociodemographics. An analysis of ECD research demonstrates a preference for an energy consumption graphic, consumption rates in monetary units, the ability to provide detailed and historical information at the appliance level, and the avoidance of unknown parameters. Integrating CTI guidelines with ECD preferences and decision-making approaches yields two ECD models. The article presents two prototype ECD models that serve different decision-making approaches. The first ECD prototype is designed to serve routine or predisposition decision makers, presenting summary information and employing colors and graphics. The second ECD prototype is designed to serve rational decision makers, presenting detailed appliance-level information, goal-setting capabilities, and the ability to produce detailed history. Further research is recommended to establish decision-making preferences, predisposition elements, threshold parameters, and ECD prototype testing by region.