Triggering Electricity-Saving Through Smart Meters: Play, Learn And Interact Using Gamification And Social Comparison

Castri, Roberta and Wemyss, Devon and Cellina, Francesca and De Luca, Vanessa and Frick, Vivian and Lobsiger-Kaegi, Evelyn and Galbani Bianchi, Pamela and Carabias, Vicente (2016) Triggering Electricity-Saving Through Smart Meters: Play, Learn And Interact Using Gamification And Social Comparison. In: Proceedings of the 1st ever Energy-Feedback Symposium - Teddinet 1st Energy-Feedback Symposium “Feedback in energy demand reduction: Examining evidence and exploring opportunities”, 04.07.2016-05.07.2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

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Abstract

The present study tests and compares the efficacy of two different social game modes, collaborative and competitive, as interventions to motivate electricity-saving behaviour at the household level by means of a gamified mobile App, called Social Power. The collaborative game has a common savings goal that the team aims to reach collectively. The competitive game compares weekly savings and thus sets two cities against each other to save the most. The App integrates electricity saving challen g-es, tips, quizzes in order to motivate participants to earn points and reach set consumption reduction goals. Smart meter data complements the user experience by showing hourly and weekly electricity consumption which is directly compared to their own historical consumption and their team’s savings performance. While completing challenges on the App, participants learn how to positively improve electricity use in their household. Participants are encouraged to interact with each other over Blog and Facebook pages which provide additional information about the weekly challenge and over all intervention. Overall, there were significant electricity savings in both game modes compared to historical values and the control group, however the feeling of community building and social interaction was minimal. Thus the game approach was successful, but future studies can better integrate interaction elements.

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