Mind the gap when implementing technologies intended to reduce or shift energy consumption in blocks-of-buildings

Abstract

If the designers of technologies intended to reduce or shift energy consumption are not sensitive to how people live and work in buildings, a gap occurs between the expected and actual performance of those technologies. This paper explores this problem using the concepts of ‘design logic’ (designers’ ideas, values, intentions and user representations) and the ‘user logic’ (related in this case to how building occupants currently live and work in a building). The research presented unpacks the ‘design logic’ embedded in DR approaches planned for implementation at four blocks of buildings in a Horizon 2020 funded project, called “Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings” (DR-BoB). It discusses how the ‘user logic’ may differ from the ‘design logic’ and the potential impact of this on the performance of the technologies being implemented to reduce or shift energy consumption. The data analysed includes technical working documents describing the implementation scenarios of DR at four pilot sites, interviews and workshops conducted with the project team and building occupants during the first phases of the project. The analysis presented identifies how expectations about building occupants and their behaviours are built into the DR scenarios (to be tested during the project demonstrations). Initial findings suggest that building occupants’ energy use practices and routines may be different from those expectations. The paper illustrates how the concepts of ‘design logic’ and ‘user logic’ can be used to identify mismatches before technologies are implemented. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the design and implementation of DR.

Demand Response: Moving beyond the Technical and Physical Context of Buildings

“…The three readiness categories offer the possibility to assess beforehand what is needed for a good match between a DR solution and the specific site-in order to obtain insight in how DR or other energy-related services may be relevant for a specific BOB. As such, we have attempted to provide a tool for those interested in developing propositions offering energy optimization services that are in line with the customer and user needs [3], with the organizational ambitions and priorities at the BOB, the technical and physical starting situation and that offer possibilities to develop value in a functioning market context.…”

The Transition to Clean Energy: Are People Living in Island Communities Ready for Smart Grids and Demand Response?

“…As examples from other energy projects have shown, partnering with local community organisations and institutions [103], as well as engaging with the islanders with transparency in order to build trust [23] are crucial for the success of interventions for DR. Earlier research has also shown that if the designers of technologies intended to reduce or shift energy consumption are not sensitive to how people live and work in buildings, a gap occurs between the expected and actual performance of those technologies [104,105]. Therefore, it is essential to the success of SG interventions on islands that they are designed in ways which are sensitive to island residents' expectations.…”

Modelling and evaluation of the Baseline Energy Consumption and the Key Performance Indicators in Technical University of Cluj‐Napoca buildings within a Demand Response programme: a case study

“…In order to control the peak load energy curves, some DR scenarios (three) had been applied. The demonstration scenarios represent a collection of ideas, views and assumptions about how DR-BoB can be achieved in buildings, to shift or to reduce energy demand [38]. Typically, the request to reduce demand is made for a specific time period on a specific day, which is referred to as a DR event [39].…”