ABOUT THE PROJECT:
This project was set up to explore how people living in London think about their energy consumption through the use (or not) of digital technology, specifically the smart meter.
Background:
According to the UK’s latest emissions report, 23% of greenhouse gas were emitted by the energy production sector (2nd behind Transportation, 28%) [1]. Roughly 25% of this energy was consumed by UK residences [2]. The purpose of this project was to understand how people living in London think about their energy consumption through the use (or not) of digital technology.
This project was inspired by a talk on energy waste in Smart Homes at the Codex Innovation Conference [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWtM1hXWA2k]. The talk addresses the smart home, “crying out for technological infrastructure,” has increased in energy demand as people fill their homes with “lots of things that demand power, that need to be plugged in” (e.g. smart televisions, phones, computers…) The talk highlights the link between the increase in demand and human behavior like how cellphones continue to drain energy after reaching full battery when charging overnight (i.e. “vampire power”).
During the initial research into the role of digital technology in residential energy consumption, one device became the cornerstone of my research: the smart meter. In 2009, the UK initiated a campaign to install smart meters in every home by 2020 “to reduce energy use and pave the way for a low-carbon ‘smart grid’” [3]. This rollout has faced challenges and recently announced that the deadline would be pushed to 2024 [4]. Accordingly, this project explored the adoption and use (or lack thereof) of smart meters in London.
Research Participants:
My primary informants were energy consumers in London, but to understand the broader UK energy landscape, I conducted research with other key stakeholders in UK’s smart meter rollout.
Primary Informants: London Energy Consumers
Environmental Activists (a)
Non-Environmental Activists
I research two types of energy consumers based on whether or not they are (self-proclaimed) environmental activists (i.e. someone that actively advocates for protecting the natural environment) to compare their experience with energy consumption and smart meters.
(a) The environmental activists were part of a community action group that supported and generated carbon reduction initiatives for their London borough.
Secondary Informants: Smart Meter Rollout Stakeholders
Energy Suppliers (b)
Energy Technologists (c)
Governmental Organizations (d)
Conducting research with key stakeholders in the smart meter rollout was a form of participant observation. These stakeholders try to influence energy consumers through various forms of communications (e.g smart meter advertisements). Understanding what and how these stakeholders communicate and their underlying agendas and assumptions, provided first-hand experience of the external influences that consumers are exposed to.
(b) Per the government mandate, energy suppliers are the front lines of the smart meter rollout. These suppliers are responsible for notifying, supplying and installing smart meters for energy consumers across the UK.
(c) Many companies are involved in developing smart meters and adjacent technologies. This company that received government funding to develop a mobile application that uses smart meter data to deliver personalized energy advice to consumers.
(d) The government-backed organizations were respectively responsible for informing energy consumers about the rollout and promoting energy efficiency. They communicate with consumers on broad and individual levels to encourage the adoption of smart meters and energy saving practices.
Research Methods:
The findings presented are based on data collected using the following digital anthropology research methods:
Participant observation
Participation in several community action group events increased understanding of the larger community in addition to the individuals interviewed. The events did not specifically discuss smart meters but provided insight into the motivation behind their environmental activism.
Office visits and participation in corporate meetings with a technology firm and a government organization revealed their underlying assumptions of energy consumers and the corresponding communication strategies.
1-1 interviews
Conducting semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 4 energy consumers and 6 employees of suppliers (2), technology companies (2) and government organizations (2) (which are also energy consumers) provided depth on the following themes: sentiment towards the environment and sustainability, the consumption and waste of energy, the role of digital technology and the adoption/use of the smart meter.
Digital ethnography
All participant groups use digital platforms (e.g. Facebook groups, digital community forums, mobile applications…) to communicate within and between groups. The interactions on these platforms helped inform themes central the experience of energy consumers in London.
Object analysis
The participant groups produce material and digital content that provide information and advice on residential energy consumption. Analyzing these artefacts provide insight into the agenda and assumptions of different stakeholders.
How digital anthropology helps us understand people’s experience of the environment in London:
Technology is not neutral
Digital anthropology is critical of the idea that technology is neutral. While the smart meter seems benign, but this technology involves many different stakeholders and agendas. The smart meter is a digital infrastructure that connects these different stakeholders. While the smart meter informs consumers of their energy use, it also sends data to the government, energy suppliers, technology companies for differently purposes (e.g. personalized energy advice). The connections and flow of information facilitated by smart meters are embedded with power dynamics.
Depth and Context
Anthropological research is appreciated for uncovering the gaps between what people say and what people do. This research shed light on the discrepancies between the motivations for getting (or rejecting) a smart meter and the use of smart meters. Additionally, participant observation provided context into why people think and act as they do. For instance, observing an environmental activist in their group reveals underlying feelings of community, identity and pride that influence one’s behavior.
Limitations:
This research brought forth some interesting findings, but anthropological research requires a lot of time to be conclusive. Time required to gain the trust and access to the informant’s life that is necessary to collect the appropriate quantity and depth of data. This project would have benefited from spend time in people’s homes, observing everyday energy use; however, access was not available.
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