| 英文摘要: | Demand-side management (DSM) is a key aspect of many future energy system scenarios1, 2. DSM refers to a range of technologies and interventions designed to create greater efficiency and flexibility on the demand-side of the energy system3. Examples include the provision of more information to users to support efficient behaviour and new ‘smart’ technologies that can be automatically controlled. Key stated outcomes of implementing DSM are benefits for consumers, such as cost savings3, 4 and greater control over energy use. Here, we use results from an online survey to examine public perceptions and acceptability of a range of current DSM possibilities in a representative sample of the British population (N = 2,441). We show that, although cost is likely to be a significant reason for many people to take up DSM measures, those concerned about energy costs are actually less likely to accept DSM. Notably, individuals concerned about climate change are more likely to be accepting. A significant proportion of people, particularly those concerned about affordability, indicated unwillingness or concerns about sharing energy data, a necessity for many forms of DSM. We conclude substantial public engagement and further policy development is required for widespread DSM implementation. According to industry and government analyses, DSM has the potential to increase energy efficiency and improve network flexibility3, 4, 5. It could provide cost and operating benefits to energy companies, particularly in terms of automated meter readings and reduced customer enquiries, as well as benefits to society, for example through the reduction of carbon emissions3, 5, 6. At present, DSM is primarily discussed in relation to electricity (the focus here) and a key driver for deployment is the facilitation of integration of renewables onto electricity grids as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions whilst also maintaining the reliability of supply. Increased proportions of renewables would increase reliance on electricity as opposed to gas, affect the intermittency of supply, and generate greater need for flexibility on the demand-side of the energy system6. Given high levels of concern about climate change in the UK (and elsewhere)7, 8, it is perhaps surprising that there is not more of a focus on the environmental rationale for DSM (refs 4, 9). Consideration within the academic literature given to environmental framings indicate that although these are less popular than economic frames, they can actually have a greater impact10, 11, 12. Consumer benefits of DSM that are primarily highlighted centre around the empowerment that increased control of electricity and information will provide, and particularly the potential for cost savings4, 6; this focus is perhaps partly due to the technological focus and prominent role of industry within debates. At present, it is unclear whether characteristics highlighted as benefits to consumers are perceived as such, and what the implications are for acceptance of DSM operations conjectured3. A key technological intervention central for many DSM scenarios is the smart meter; these are energy meters (most commonly electricity) that in addition to measuring energy use also transmit information, thus facilitating a range of other technologies and systems3, 9. Rollouts of electricity smart meters have progressed in many places around the world with mixed responses, including opposition due to concerns over inaccuracies in data (for example, Texas, US) and privacy (for example, The Netherlands)13, 14. In the UK, rollouts are just starting and recent research indicates that most people are undecided in their support of smart meter installation15. Beyond smart meters, research on public perceptions of DSM is limited, most being small-scale (given much of the technology is at present not widely available) and prone to recruitment bias given that those who take part in such trials are often particularly interested in technologies and/or the field of energy16. Evidence available indicates acceptance of DSM varies greatly depending on device and operation. Smart operation of white goods (for example, a delayed start to dishwasher use) is generally accepted and acceptance is higher if current living standards are perceived to increase11 but is significantly lower for operation of in-home technologies such as fridge-freezers and heating, where there are concerns around comfort and health standards11, 17. Privacy surrounding energy data has been much discussed within policy and academic discourse18, 19, 20; however, research is limited and mixed on whether public(s) are similarly concerned11, 17. There remains an urgent need to build an understanding of current public perceptions of DSM to inform the design and creation of DSM at a technical level so that such technologies are developed in the most useful and publicly desirable manner21. Findings presented here arise from a survey of public perceptions of transformations to the UK energy system7. This online—UK representative—survey included questions examining perceptions relating to household energy use, acceptability of a range of DSM scenarios, and concerns about wider energy policy issues; see Methods section for further details and Table 1 for specific question wordings and scale reliabilities.
- DECC The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: National Strategy for Climate and Energy (UK Government, 2009).
- National Grid UK Future Energy Scenarios: UK Gas and Electricity Transmission (UK Government, 2013).
- DEFRA The Potential for Behavioural and Demand-Side Management Measures to Save Electricity, Gas and Carbon in the Domestic Sector, and Resulting Supply-Side Implications—A Report by Enviros Consulting Limited: November 2008 (UK Government, 2008).
- Giordano, V. et al. Smart Grid Projects in Europe: Lessons Learned and Current Developments (EU, 2013).
- Makovich, L. J. The smart grid separating perception from reality. Issues Sci. Technol. 27, 61–70 (2011).
- DECC GB-Wide Smart Meter Roll Out for the Domestic Sector (UK Government, 2010).
- Demski, C., Spence, A. & Pidgeon, N. Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability—Summary Findings of a Survey Conducted August 2012 (UKERC, 2013).
- Eurobarometer Climate Change: Special Eurobarometer 409 (European Commission, 2014).
- DECC Smart Metering Implementation Programme: Publication of the Industry’s Draft Technical Specifications (UK Government, 2011).
- Hargreaves, T., Nye, M. & Burgess, J. Making energy visible: A qualitative field study of how householders interact with feedback from smart energy monitors. Energy Policy 38, 6111–6119 (2010).
- Mert, W., Suscheck-Berger, J. & Tritthart, W. Consumer Acceptance of Smart Appliances: D 5.5 of WP 5 Report from SMART-A project (2008); http://www.smart-a.org/WP5_5_Consumer_acceptance_18_12_08.pdf
- Asensio, O. I. & Delmas, M. A. Nonprice incentives and energy conservation. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 112, 510–515 (2015).
- Mah, D. N., Vleuten, J. M.V. D., Hills, P. & Tao, J. Consumer perceptions of smart grid development: Results of a Hong Kong survey and policy implications. Energy Policy 49, 204–216 (2012).
- Modernizing Ontario’s Electricity System: Next Steps, Second Report of the Ontario Smart Grid Forum (OSGF, 2011); http://www.ieso.ca/imoweb/pubs/smart_grid/Smart_Grid_Forum-Report-May_2011.pdf
- DECC Quantitative Research Into Public Awareness, Attitudes, and Experience of Smart Meters: Wave 4 of 4 (UK Government, 2014).
- Goulden, M., Bedwell, B., Rennick-Egglestone, S., Rodden, T. & Spence, A. Smart grids, smart users? The role of the user in demand side management. Energy Res. Soc. Sci. 2, 21–19 (2014).
- Butler, C., Parkhill, K. A. & Pidgeon, N. Deliberating energy transitions in the UK—Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability (UKERC, 2013).
- Cavoukian, A., Polonetsky, J. & Wolf, C. SmartPrivacy for the Smart Grid: Embedding privacy into the design of electricity conservation. Identity Inf. Soc. 3, 275–294 (2010).
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| http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v5/n6/full/nclimate2610.html
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