Agent-based assessment framework for behavior-changing feedback devices: Spreading of devices and heating behavior

Abstract

Heating behavior of households is key for reducing domestic energy demand and mitigating climate change. Recently, various technical devices have been developed, providing households with feedback on their heating behavior and supporting energy conservation behavior. The impact of such devices on overall energy consumption depends on (1) the impact of a device within a household, (2) the diffusion of devices to other households and the number of adopters, and (3) the diffusion of the induced behavioral change beyond these households. While the first two processes are currently established in assessments of sustainable household devices, we suggest that adding behavior diffusion is essential when assessing devices that explicitly target behavioral change. We therefore propose an assessment framework that includes all three processes. We implement this framework in an agent-based model by combining two existing simulation models to explore the effect of adding behavior diffusion. In three simulation experiments, we identify two mechanisms by which behavior diffusion (1) spreads the effect of such devices from adopters to non-adopters and (2) increases the average speed of behavioral change of households. From these results we conclude that behavior diffusion should be included in assessments of behavior-changing feedback devices.

Behavioral models of climate change adaptation and mitigation in land‐based sectors

“…Diffusion of knowledge, attitudes, or practices between neighboring or socially connected individuals is recognized as a fundamental process in all human systems. Many models of land‐based sectors include it, and the ability to represent it explicitly is seen as a major advantage of bottom‐up modeling approaches 54,97,98 . It can therefore be expected to play a substantial role in models of the kind we consider, given the importance of information and innovation in adaptation or mitigation in land‐based sectors.…”

“…Many models of land-based sectors include it, and the ability to represent it explicitly is seen as a major advantage of bottom-up modeling approaches. 54,97,98 It can therefore be expected to play a substantial role in models of the kind we consider, given the importance of information and innovation in adaptation or mitigation in land-based sectors. Many of the models we reviewed do include diffusion of agricultural practices or technology, 37,46,54,59,67,74,82,85 but fewer include diffusion of information or attitudes, or diffusion in other sectors 53,71,77,87 (forestry models were particularly lacking in this respect, including only indirect spatial influences between agents).…”

On Occupant Behavior and Innovation Studies Towards High Performance Buildings: A Transdisciplinary Approach

“…As an example, based on real market data, Schleich empirically shows the relationship between diffusion of energy efficiency technologies and behavioral concerns such as the role of information about energy consumption patterns [109]. Moreover, diffusion concept is also shown to be applicable to behavior studies (behavior diffusion) to discuss the agentive relationship among technological innovations and energy consumption behavior [110]. So, for behavior researchers, it is possible to get more comprehensive understanding of response of society to behavior oriented energy efficiency solutions by taking advantage of diffusion concept of innovation literature.…”

“…Since the parameters related to these topics directly influence the energy consumption of buildings, behavioral interventions that can change them properly are expected to result in energy savings. Most common interventions in the literature for triggering behavior change are goal-setting and providing occupants custom information and feedback about their energy consumption and potential savings [110,122].…”

Automating agent-based modeling: Data-driven generation and application of innovation diffusion models

“…This probability is differentiated by the three lifestyle groups [22]: (1) Leading Lifestyles always adopt the device, regardless of their peers; (2) Mainstream agents adopt devices in 50% of the cases, and imitate their peers otherwise; and (3) Hedonists always imitate the majority of their peers.…”