Using citizen science for the energy transition: Research on the tenant electricity model in Germany

TL;DR

This paper explores how citizen science can support Germany's energy transition by analyzing barriers and motivations for tenant electricity models.

Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-method approach combining citizen science with energy consumption data to understand behavioral changes in energy culture.

Findings

Barriers to tenant electricity include model complexity and lack of information.

Participants were motivated by sustainability rather than electricity price.

Household electricity consumption decreased for over half of participants during the study.

Abstract

The research within the Citizen Science (CS) project on tenant electricity focused on an inclusive research approach by involving actors such as citizen scientists (CSs), scientists, policymakers, and the private sector. The main objective was to jointly explore the barriers and drivers for and motivations to participate in the tenant electricity model in Germany, and to identify behavioural changes (based on the energy culture concept) of the CSs by being involved in local electricity production and consumption.

The CS project adopted a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative data analysis from workshops with quantitative data from an energy consumption monitoring scheme and a panel survey on energy-related practices.

Results and conclusions: Identified barriers for the tenant electricity model encompassing both structural (e.g. model complexity) and inherent challenges (lack of information). Drivers for scaling up include the reduction of the complexity and bureaucratic hurdles of the model as well as regulations and financial incentives and targeted information to relevant actors.

The main motivation for participating in tenant electricity was sustainability and local production of electricity, while the electricity price played a minor role. Regarding changes in energy culture, the participation in tenant electricity led to a stronger exchange among neighbours about further sustainability options and to a higher interest in sustainability or society engagement.

Feedback on regular consumption data was perceived by almost all participants as useful for further measures to save electricity. Electricity data collected from installed meters showed, on average, a reduction in consumption for more than half of the households compared to the start month of the research period.

Further, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify different profiles and gain deeper understanding of the characteristics of CSs. In total five clusters were identified, with differences in energy consumption patterns, energy efficient appliances, knowledge about energy consumption, and changes in energy practices.

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