PENNY Psychological, social and financial barriers to energy efficiency

The project aims at improving our understanding on behavioural mechanisms in energy efficiency, following an interdisciplinary and broad behavioural science approach. The project will provide an empirical and numerical assessment of the psychological, social, economic and financial factors that influence energy efficiency in the residential and industry sectors By paring with energy utilities and retailers in different European countries, the project will conduct scientific experiments (A/B testing) which will enhance the design of policies aiming at maximizing energy efficient behaviors. The project will use novel data from different European countries to take into consideration institutional and political factors. The project will analyze consumers’ behavior related to the consumption of energy, the investment in energy efficient products, as well as the renovation of buildings. Finally, ex ante assessment will be executed using improved energy economy models, which will generate quantitative information with regard to expected impacts of EU and global policies.

Main project

This project is part of project "Effects and acceptability of pricing policies".

Researchers and partners

Behavioural and Social Sciences, Psychology

• Angela Ruepert , Social Psychology
• Linda Steg, Social Psychology

Partners outside of the University of Groningen

• Massimo Tavoni FEEM
• Cristina Cattaneo FEEM
• Massimo Filippini ETH Zurich
• Andreas Loschel WWU Munster
• Imre Kovach University of Debrecen

Results

Successful grant proposals and other achievements

• Horizon 2020 Energy efficiency call proposal 'penny'

University's focus areas

• Energy
• Sustainable Society