With Direct Feedback

2006

Persuasive technologies can be useful to modify behaviors related to energy usage. In this paper, we present the PowerHouse a computer game designed to influence behaviors associated with energy use and promote an energy-aware lifestyle among teenagers. This prototype game aims to influence a set of target activities in the home using several persuasive techniques. Employing the format of a reality TV show (docu soap), the game informs implicitly and explicitly about various energy-efficient actions. We discuss our overall game design and its advantages and disadvantages in relation to the methods we have employed in the game.

2011

EnergyLife is a mobile game application that aims at increasing energy awareness and saving in the household; it centers around a feedback system with detailed, historical and real time information that is based on wireless power sensors data. The challenge is to provide through feedback knowledge and motivation for sustainable saving. A three-month field test in eight households was organized for EnergyLife. The test involved the automatic collection of access data to the application, and the administration of satisfaction questionnaires, interviews, and usability tasks in the tested families. The paper describes the results of the test and the ensuing re-design strategy, centered on better tailoring the application to the players' actions. The lessons learned can be useful to other persuasive games, since a good fit to the actions of the user is a precondition of effectiveness of any persuasive application.

International journal on advances in intelligent systems, 2015

Ener-SCAPE is a novel work in progress software framework made up of a persuasive game, a graphical interface to monitor energy usage and a tool for social interaction, which aims to improve the energy consumption awareness of its users at home as well as in the workplace. The game uses a common “escape room” game approach, tailoring the game archetype to focus on energy efficiency and energy consumption awareness. The monitoring interface allows the users to monitor some predefined energy efficiency indexes. The tool for social integration helps users to build social awareness. Users play the game by trying to exit from a virtual home or office by solving energy puzzles, working to improve their energy savings in their real environment, and sharing their acquired knowledge and experiences. EnerSCAPE implements a unique feedback mechanism based on real energy consumption that leads consumers to apply what they have learned from the virtual reality of the game into their daily real l...

Persuasive technologies can be useful to modify behaviors related to energy usage. In this paper, we present the PowerHouse a computer game designed to influence behaviors associated with energy use and promote an energy-aware lifestyle among teenagers. This prototype game aims to influence a set of target activities in the home using several persuasive techniques. Employing the format of a reality TV show (docu soap), the game informs implicitly and explicitly about various energy-efficient actions. We discuss our overall game design and its advantages and disadvantages in relation to the methods we have employed in the game.

Computer, 2011

2014

This volume is the result of a research project carried out at the Department of Marketing and Strategy at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). This volume is submitted as a doctor's thesis at SSE. In keeping with the policies of SSE, the author has been entirely free to conduct and present his research in the manner of his choosing as an expression of his own ideas. SSE is grateful for the financial support provided by KK-stiftelsen, Energimyndigheten, Åforsk and J Gust Richert, which has made it possible to fulfil the project.

The present study tests and compares the efficacy of two different social game modes, collaborative and competitive, as interventions to motivate electricity-saving behaviour at the household level by means of a gamified mobile App, called Social Power. The collaborative game has a common savings goal that the team aims to reach collectively. The competitive game compares weekly savings and thus sets two cities against each other to save the most. The App integrates electricity saving challenges , tips, quizzes in order to motivate participants to earn points and reach set consumption reduction goals. Smart meter data complements the user experience by showing hourly and weekly electricity consumption which is directly compared to their own historical consumption and their team's savings performance. While completing challenges on the App, participants learn how to positively improve electricity use in their household. Participants are encouraged to interact with each other over Blog and Facebook pages which provide additional information about the weekly challenge and overall intervention. Overall, there were significant electricity savings in both game modes compared to historical values and the control group, however the feeling of community building and social interaction was minimal. Thus the game approach was successful, but future studies can better integrate interaction elements.

Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Computer Enterntainment Technology - ACE '09, 2009

When it comes to motivating teenagers towards energy awareness, new approaches need to be considered. One such is the use of pervasive games connected to the players own energy consumption. Earlier work has confirmed this to be a highly effective approach. The question however remains if post game effects on behavior can be achieved. In this paper we try to answer this by trying out a slightly different design compared to previous work. The hypothesis is that a more casual game play and a richer learning interaction enabled by building the game on a real time sensor system could stimulate more lasting effects. Electric consumption data after the 7 days evaluation on a test group of 15 players shows tentative indications for a persistent post game effect compared to the control group of 20 households. Findings also show a statistically significant positive change in the players' attitude towards saving energy compared to the same group. Findings, at the same time, also indicate a negative effect on the player's attitude toward environmental questions in general.

Globally, there is rising concern about the impact of energy consumption on the environment, coinciding with increasing energy costs. The Digital Environment Home Energy Management System (DEHEMS) project aims to provide householders with persuasive tools that improve awareness of the energy behaviour of their household and allow them to manage their energy consumption more efficiently. This paper presents the overview of the envisioned DEHEMS system, and proposes that there is a real user requirement for intelligent, persuasive energy monitoring systems.

In this paper we explore how to enhance people’s awareness on the energy consumption of household devices by incorporating techniques from persuasive computing. We designed three add-on product concepts targeted towards families with small children and aimed at reducing energy consumption of the fridge. To investigate how end-users relate to the concepts, we developed a story-like scenario for each concept. The three scenarios were discussed with six families. In the evaluation of the discussion we found that the families appreciated the aim of the concepts in educating children on how to save energy and in raising the awareness on sustainable living. In the analysis we identified the following three main requirements for the add-on product: it should be simple to use, it should provide direct feedback on the history of the device usage, and it should suggest behavior improvements, or at least raise a discussion on the usage of the device. Overall, the use of persuasive techniques c...