Significance of social factors for effective implementation of smart energy management systems in end-user households

Abstract

Rising popularity of photovoltaic panels and other equipment allowing the electricity production in households evoke the new challenges – i.e. high energy exchange due to high production or usage peaks. One of the solution to such problems is the Energy Management System (EMS) which is able to monitor and report real-time power consumption. EMS allows for launching a whole range of new features – i.e. flexible tariffs or automatic scheduling of home appliances starting time. In this paper we present the results coming from social research conducted within project “e-balance - balancing energy production and consumption in energy efficient smart neighborhoods” realized within European 7FP. We outline four areas of potential social barriers for EMS adoption: engagement, unwillingness to leave appliances unattended, division of roles in the household and privacy concerns. Concluding, our studies indicate that the inclusion of the human perspective is necessary for the effective implementation of Energy Management Systems.