Energy personas in Danish households

Abstract

Abstract Technologies to monitor the provision of renewable energy are part of emerging technologies to help address the discrepancy between renewable energy production and its related usage in households. This paper presents various ways householders use a technological artifact for the real-time monitoring of renewable energy provision. Such a monitoring thus affords householders with an opportunity to adjust their energy consumption according to renewable energy provision. In Denmark, EWII (previously Barry) is a Danish energy supplier which provides householders with an opportunity to monitor energy sources in ‘real time’ through a technological solution of the same name. This paper uses EWII’s provision as a case for exploring how householders organize themselves to use a technological artefact that supports the monitoring of energy– and its related usage. This study aims to inform technology design through the derivation of four (4) personas. The derived personas highlight the differences in households’ energy monitoring practices and engagement. These personas are characterised as 1) dedicated, 2) organised, 3) sporadic, and 4) convenient. Understanding these differences in energy monitoring practice using the technological artefact form a solid element in the design of future energy technologies that interfere with households’ everyday practices and energy consumption. This is paramount for future energy related technology design, and for the clarification of usage assumptions that are embedded in the rollout of energy related technology as Denmark moves through its green transition.