A Mobile Personal Residential Electricity Dashboard
There
is a growing awareness of energy consumption and the need to control this at a
global level, and reduce it at a personal level [1]. This awareness is
heightened by the realities of climate change and finite supplies of fossil
fuels [2], [3]. The need to control and reduce energy consumption has generated
an increasing interest in monitoring energy usage in real-time, particularly so
with the personal or household use of electricity [4]–[8]. Although
environmentally significant intention [9] can be a strong personal motivator in
itself, the capabilities of smart grids, smart meters, a constantly changing
mix of fossil fuel and renewable energy generation, and differential pricing mechanisms,
provide a very real framework within which householders can begin to see the
impact of their actions. Informed users are in reality a precursor to smart
energy management [10]. There are three trends or developments which are
relevant to this discussion. A.Techniques to convey information Over the past
decade, an increasing body of research literature has been generated in the
cause of enhancing consumer awareness of electricity use, through better
understanding of power and energy concepts [7], through studies of individual
and group motivation [6], [7], including the power of social networking [8],
and through the design and evaluation of appropriate visualisations (form and
location) [4], [5], [8], [11]. However, with a few exceptions, the general
message emerging from this work is the difficulty of maintaining the sustained
engagement of all household members [7]. Pricing alone is insufficient
motivation unless the differentials are high, and even then, the cost advantage
is weighed against personal inconvenience [4], [7]. B.Increasing penetration of
mobile platforms, and gamification of apps There is also the burgeoning
ubiquity of mobile smartphones and tablets (personal lifestations in contrast
to workstations), and with them, a host of apps (applications) dealing with
personal, social and work related activities. Not only do these devices mean
that people are always connected and up-to-date, but the immediacy of the apps
is often enhanced through gamification; employing game strategies and techniques
to enhance user engagement [12]–[14]. For example, a wine buying app introduces
an element of competition within its own social network, awarding points for
the number of wines that have been rated [15]. The idea of using a smartphone
to monitor, manage and control domestic electricity consumption, together with
a gaming element, has become an attractive and viable option. C.Interfaces that
enhance engagement Dashboard type displays, which can represent at-a-glance
insight and drill-down detail are also increasing in prevalence [16]. Of
particular note is the real dashboard display of the Toyota Prius hybrid car.
