Dear community,
we would like to invite you all to join us on Monday . 15th of September, at 10:00am @M-iti's Classroom, where will have Michelle Scott giving a Talk about Greening the Grid: Motivations for Householder Uptake of Solar Photovoltaics.
Abstract:
New Zealand is seeing a surge in uptake of photovoltaic installations by householders. This readiness to become ‘prosumers’ – those who both produce and consume – is part of a wider change from uni-directional supply-to-demand from energy generators to households. This presentation draws from research undertaken as part of the Green Grid research programme, exploring the motivations of householders to invest in PV. Some empirical data on PV uptake is provided, and we then discuss the findings from interviews with householders who have either invested in PV, or are contemplating doing so. The drop in price of PV is certainly a motivation, but there are a range of other perceived benefits which contribute to the attractiveness of being a prosumer. These include having some independence from energy companies, perceived greater resilience should power be cut, and environmental quality.
short bio: Michelle Scott is a post-doc at the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand on the Energy Cultures 2 and Green Grid projects. She has recently completed a PhD in Human Computer Interaction at the Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute in Portugal. Her PhD focussed on understanding and influencing sustainable energy choices and behaviours in the home and presenting effective feedback to householders regarding their energy consumption. Her research interests include motivating and influencing positive sustainable behaviours in the home and around transportation. Her main academic background is in Psychology, however she also has experience in computer science and interaction design and feels the best way to tackle some of the current issues in sustainability is through a multi-disciplinary approach.
We hope to see you all there.
Best.
Communication@m-iti.org