RP3028: A “Virtual Market” for Analysing the Uptake of Energy Efficiency Measures in Residential and Commercial Sectors

_{Peer Reviewed Research Publications}

RP3028: Journal Article: Actor, intermediary, and context: media in home renovation and consumption practice

Home renovations demonstrate the interplay between economic transactions and cultural values that shape consumption practice and consumer markets. The academic disciplines of environmental and social sciences and spheres of environmental policy and practice have taken interest in renovations because of their implications for improved environmental outcomes. However, a considerable blind spot in this work has been an out-of-step, largely one-dimensional, or peripheral engagement with media.

This paper draws on interdisciplinary, mixed-method empirical research to explore the contribution of media studies to environmental policy, research, and practice. The author develops a theoretical framework by synthesising across the functions of (i) actor, (ii) intermediary, and (iii) context to account for the role of media in the processes of change related to household consumption and sustainability. The paper concludes with some implications based on the framework.

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RP3028: Journal Article: An Agent-Based Model of Residential Energy Efficiency Adoption

This paper describes the Nudge-Emergence-Diversity model, an Agent-Based Model that represents the adoption of energy efficient technology and behaviours within a diverse population, and incorporates: behaviour-driven models of decision making; diversity of the population through rich survey datasets of shifting preferences; and the emergence of behaviours within social systems, including representation of trust-based information networks and influence across social networks.

rp3028 energy efficiency (502532 PDF)

RP3028: Journal Article: A review of Agent-Based Modelling of technology diffusion with special reference to residential energy efficiency

Moglia, M., Cook, S., and McGregor, J. (2016) A review of Agent-Based Modelling of technology diffusion with special reference to residential energy efficiency. Sustainable Cities and Society (published online 14 March 2017).

Abstract:

Residential energy efficiency is an important strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are many technologies that help improve residential energy efficiency, and in fact, increased energy efficiency has already helped reduce global greenhouse gas emissions significantly in the past. However, with greater innovation, further improvements can be made and improving energy efficiency is an ongoing activity. Policymakers around the world are putting strategies in place to speed up the adoption of energy efficient technologies and practices, but ultimately this process is based on choice by residents themselves. Human decision making and choice however is a very complex issue, and complex computational tools are required in order to analyse and/or predict the impact of various policies. Traditionally, equation-based models such as Bass and Choice models have been used to describe the diffusion of technologies in a population, but certain limitations have been identified. This article explores what these limitations are in the context of energy efficient residential technologies and how an alternative computational and empirical paradigm, Agent-Based Modelling (ABM), can help resolve some of these limitations. As such, this is a review article into how ABM can support analysis of strategies to catalyse greater uptake of energy efficiency in the residential sector.

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_{CRCLCL Project Reports}

RP3028: Report: Towards more energy efficient home renovations. An exploration of social media networks

This report draws on the media research to address the cultural and communicative dimensions of consumption as everyday practice – focusing on what people routinely do as consumers and media users.

It contributes to empirical studies of the role of media as popular sources of communication, inspiration and learning.

The report explores the general patterns of social media conversations and public engagement broadly related to sustainable/energy efficient home renovations in Australia. The research material in the form of social media data was collected from two key platforms: Twitter and Facebook (public Facebook pages) in 2016 and updated in 2017.

rp 3028 towards more energy efficient home renovations final (2219424 PDF)

RP3028: Final Report: Mapping the adoption processes of energy efficient products in the residential sector

The effort to increase energy efficiency in the residential sector depends to a large extent on the consumer behaviour of residents. This report provides a summary of the complexities of consumer choice including the need to consider:cognitive biases,social comparisons, the role of media, limited bandwidth and strict budgets and non-monetary priorities.

rp3028 final report mapping the adoption processes of energy efficient products in the residential sector (1963103 PDF)

_{Fact sheet}

RP3012: Guide Note: Using Behaviour Change Insights to Translate Research Into Policy & Practice

This guide note has been provided to assist our researchers in enabling greater uptake and use of their research by applying insights from social and environmental psychology.

RP3012: Guide Note: Using Behaviour Change Insights to Translate Research Into Policy & Practice (579383 PDF)