Energy Research at SICS and the Interactive Institute

Energy research at SICS and the Interactive Institute is vectored towards the goal of reducing energy turnover, especially electricity usage, in homes and at other end user locations. Several projects address issues related to this general goal.

Some underlying principles for our projects are listed below.

increased awareness

Much of the recent increase in household electricity usage can be attributed to low awareness: what appliances require a large amount of energy, which do not? Are the appliances on or off? What consequences will my actions have with respect to energy usage? Our overriding aim is to increasing awareness of consumers.

carrot not stick

Our aim is to focus on the pleasurable, attractive, and fun aspects of information and interface technology: rewarding desirable action rather than punishing error; informing through entertainment, aesthetics, or a sense of satisfaction rather than by monopolising the attention of users through fully focussed information dense detail displays. Our aim is to help consumers cope better, not to give them new tasks and requirements.

ambient interfaces

Our aim is to provide interfaces which will inform the user without burdening the user with undigested detail or disturbing the aesthetics of the home by adding type-write-like displays where none are needed. Information can be transmitted through mechanisms other than text and number - through artwork and other non-intellectual channels, through sound and other non-verbal modalities.

immediate vs delayed feedback

We explore the difference between immediate feedback, which informs the consumer of the consequences of each micro-level action they take, and delayed feedback which gives an overview of lifestyle and macro-level choices. Different mechanisms can and should be employed for the two levels. Our aim is to provide examples of both.

comparison and social context

Central to lifestyle choice and change is the notion of self and the notion of comparison. Our aim is to implement mechanisms that help consumers compare their actions now their actions before, and to contrast them to the actions of others in their peer group.

better mechanisms for control

Consumers need more informed mechanisms for control of their energy usage. Our aim is to provide tools and apparatus which will allow them to do so.
 

foreseeable technical advances

There are several technologies in the making that will change the landscape of household energy usage. Our aim is to foresee those changes and their impact.

what will the future be like?

The aim of our projects, in concert, is to provide a sense of what everyday life in twenty-five years' time may be like. Which of today's questions are still burning issues in the mid-range future? Which have been solved? Which of them can we help with?