Fighting Energy Poverty Using User-Driven Approaches in Mountainous Greece: Lessons Learnt from a Living Lab

Abstract

The experience of operating an energy-related Living Lab (LL) in mountainous Greece is presented in this paper in an attempt to explore the dynamics of such initiatives to address energy vulnerability. The LL is situated in Metsovo, which is a typical mountainous town of Greece with increased vulnerability issues identified in previous studies. Since Greek mountainous societies have proved to be particularly exposed to energy poverty, the LL aimed to function as an exemplary case on how to tackle energy poverty issues in mountainous regions, mainly through reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. The methodological context was based on a holistic LL approach consisting of various activities, such as conduction of energy cafés, questionnaire surveys, home visits from Energy Advisors, installation of monitoring equipment, ICT tools and processing, etc. In particular, the LL consisted of three independent rounds, each of which involved 50 households, with 30 of them being equipped with monitoring tools. Energy advisors repeatedly visited households to collect information (on heating expenses, behavioral aspects, etc.) and offer household-specific advice on potential energy savings measures. Overall, the LL operation proved to have benefited most participants (76%), especially households with monitoring equipment, as 85.5% of the last ones already applied energy-efficiency measures and 80% made further plans for future investments. Through the particular LL example, apart from the benefits delivered to the local society, useful information can be provided to policy-makers toward addressing more effectively energy vulnerability in mountainous societies.

A rapid review of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions that make homes warmer and cheaper to heat for households in fuel poverty in rural and remote areas

“…The evidence base consists of primary research evaluations presented across 14 studies which consisted of one randomised control trial (with partial crossover) (Heyman et al 2011), three quasi-experimental studies (Grey et al 2017, Poortinga et al 2017, Willand et al 2019; two pre-test / post-test with a control group (Shortt & Rugraska 2007, Wade et al 2019; two pre-test / post-test with no control group (Eadson & Leather 2017, Papada et al 2021; one post-test with control group (Sharpe et al 2020), one case study (McGinley et al 2022); one case control study (Charlier et al 2019) and three quantitative descriptive surveys (Miller et al 2022, Sherriff et al 2020, Welsh Government 2015. Five of these were part of wider mixed methods studies (Shortt & Rugkåsa 2007, Miller et al 2022, Wade et al 2019, Welsh Government 2015, Willand et al 2019 Scotland 2016, DECC 2015, NEA 2019, Shelter Scotland 2017.…”

“…Only five of the evaluations focused entirely on rural properties and these were conducted in Scotland (Sherriff et al 2020, Wade et al 2019Ireland (McGinley et al 2022); Northern Ireland (Shortt & Rugkasa 2007) and Cornwall, England (Sharpe et al 2020). A further evaluation was conducted in a remote region of Greece (Papada et al 2021). The remainder of the evaluations (n=8) were conducted across both urban and rural areas throughout Wales (Grey et al 2017, Miller et al 2022, Pootinga et al 2017Welsh Government 2015) and England (Eadson & Leather 2017, Heyman et al 2011; France (Charlier et al 2019) and Australia (Willand et al 2019).…”

“…Energy-related living lab which aims to provide low-cost methods to energy vulnerable households in order to tackle fuel poverty was the focus of the study by Papada et al (2021).…”

“…A number of schemes as reported in the catalogues across the UK incorporate providing energy advice to those in fuel poverty regarding topics, such as fuel debt, tariff and suppliers, energy behaviours, heating systems, and they can make referrals for energy efficiency measures schemes (Citizens Advice Scotland 2016, DECC 2015, NEA 2019, Shelter Scotland 2017. Where the outcomes of evaluations have been reported, households who act on the advice given are better able to heat their homes and report a reduction in average bill savings (Papada et al 2021, Welsh Government 2015, Welsh Government 2022, Citizens Advice Scotland 2017.…”

Behavior Patterns, Energy Consumption and Comfort during COVID-19 Lockdown Related to Home Features, Socioeconomic Factors and Energy Poverty in Madrid

“…In this sense, the greatest pressures are often borne by one-person households [6] and those headed by women [7,8]. Taking into account the unequal situation of these households in terms of economic income [9], quality of housing [10], and access to energy services [11], resources, and the internet, as well as other factors [12,13], they have had very different experiences depending on their possibilities [14].…”