Title: the Role of Smart Meters in Encouraging Behavioural Change -prospects for the Uk

Growing concerns about climate change and energy security have led to a strong focus on energy efficiency within UK energy policy. At the same time, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become pervasive in society and this has brought with it new policy options which use them as enabling technologies. One such policy option planned for implementation in the UK is the use of smart meters and real-time displays to encourage people to become more aware of their energy consumption and possibly change their energy-related behaviours. Smart meters and displays by definition link individuals, technologies and society, and their effectiveness is influenced by a range of factors. This paper aims to identify which factors are most likely to contribute to the effectiveness of smart meters and real-time displays in reducing household energy consumption by analysing: a number of perspectives on behavioural change, particularly as they relate to household electricity use; the role of smart meters in the UK energy efficiency policy, including the role of ICTs in energy demand reduction more generally; and the views of a range of key stakeholders. Acknowledgements: This paper is based on the following two projects and we greatly acknowledge the support of the funding organisations. Martiskainen (2007) Affecting Consumer Behaviour on Energy Demand, Final report to EdF Energy. Ellis (2007) How smart are smart meters and real-time displays? A critical examination of a policy option under consideration to reduce UK household energy consumption, unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Sussex, funded by ESRC.