To date, the energy transition has been driven predominantly by a specific demographic group, namely ‘white, aged 35 and over, and male’. As a result, the benefits of the energy transition are reserved for a limited target group – many people are unable to benefit from key technologies such as home energy management systems, electric mobility and energy communities. Yet, when it comes to designing energy transition technologies, it is crucial that people – as users – have a say. To promote social justice, people with diverse personal characteristics must be involved.
Getting involved through play: experiencing energy for yourself
To gain an insight into these personal characteristics, Forschung Burgenland, in collaboration with FH CAMPUS 02, conducted an Austria-wide survey involving more than 3,000 people. The results show that intersectional socio-economic factors have a significant influence on the non-use of key technologies:
- Home energy management systems are primarily not used by people in urban areas with a household income of 5,000 euros or less. Key drivers within these target groups include curiosity, the perceived usefulness of home energy management systems, and a lack of knowledge about demand response.
- Age plays a key role in the context of electric mobility. Older people in particular – those with relatively high incomes who live in urban areas (especially in flats) and have a lower level of education – are under-represented. Within these target groups, price sensitivity, environmental awareness and range anxiety are sometimes significant influencing factors.
- In energy communities, it is primarily retired people with relatively high incomes living in urban areas who are under-represented, although there are intersectional groups with both higher and lower levels of education. Energy awareness, low-threshold opportunities for participation and potential financial savings can serve as possible levers for change.
In the next step, people from the aforementioned target groups will be invited to take part in experiments to explore, in a playful way, opportunities for greater involvement in the energy transition:
- Monitor your energy consumption and save money
You can see what you’re looking at – and so can we, by the way (but only for the research project). In our study, we’re testing how well people can track their own energy consumption online. No prior knowledge required – just a mouse and a bit of curiosity.
- Test-drive an electric car and experience charging
What’s an electric car really like to drive – and is charging it more complicated than ordering a coffee?
We’ll accompany you on a test drive and gather your honest opinion.
No sales pitch. No car contract. Only your experience counts.
- Try out the energy community
Don’t worry – you won’t be signing anything in blood here
Try out how signing up to an energy community works, with no obligation. It’s all just a trial – but you’ll gain real insights.
Participants not only support research, but also gain interesting insights into their own behaviour and help shape the energy transition for everyone.
