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Challenges in Improving Energy Efficiency in a University Campus Through the Application of Persuasive Technology and Smart Sensors

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  • Anthony Emeakaroha

    (School of Engineering and Digital Art, University of Kent, Kent CT2 7NT, UK)

  • Chee Siang Ang

    (School of Engineering and Digital Art, University of Kent, Kent CT2 7NT, UK)

  • Yong Yan

    (School of Engineering and Digital Art, University of Kent, Kent CT2 7NT, UK)

Abstract

The impact of energy consumption and carbon emission in the UK poses a grave challenge. This challenge is particularly high amongst residents of university campuses, where usage of electricity and carbon emission remain invisible to the students. In student residential accommodation, personal choices and social influences affect electricity consumption and ultimately the resultant reduction in carbon emissions. Therefore, innovative solutions are required to change students’ energy consumption behavior, and one promising part of the solution is to present real-time electricity consumption data to students in real-time via a dedicated web platform, while, at the same time, appointing an energy delegate in each hall to induce motivation among the students. The results of some interventions show that immediate energy feedback from smart meters or display devices can provide savings of 5%–15%. However, the situation is different; with the complexity in behavior of our target groups “the students who are living in the halls of residence”, there are economical and environmental aspects to be addressed in these issues, in the campus halls of residence. Therefore, we propose a system to address this issue, by applying smart sensors (real-time electricity data capture), integration of dedicated visual web interface (real-time electricity feedback display) and an appointed energy delegate in each hall (a motivator). It is expected that this will motivate students living in the halls of residence to reduce their electricity wastage and, therefore, control the energy cost and also reduce the carbon emissions released into the environment. In the present research, we focus on the University of Kent, Canterbury campus to study energy conservation and carbon emission reduction strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Anthony Emeakaroha & Chee Siang Ang & Yong Yan, 2012. "Challenges in Improving Energy Efficiency in a University Campus Through the Application of Persuasive Technology and Smart Sensors," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-29, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:3:y:2012:i:2:p:290-318:d:22344
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linden, Anna-Lisa & Carlsson-Kanyama, Annika & Eriksson, Bjorn, 2006. "Efficient and inefficient aspects of residential energy behaviour: What are the policy instruments for change?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(14), pages 1918-1927, September.
    2. Faruqui, Ahmad & Sergici, Sanem & Sharif, Ahmed, 2010. "The impact of informational feedback on energy consumption—A survey of the experimental evidence," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 1598-1608.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuan Ma & Jingzhi Men & Wei Cui, 2020. "Does Environmental Education Matter? Evidence from Provincial Higher Education Institutions in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Emeakaroha, Anthony & Ang, Chee Siang & Yan, Yong & Hopthrow, Tim, 2014. "Integrating persuasive technology with energy delegates for energy conservation and carbon emission reduction in a university campus," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 357-374.
    3. Muntasir Murshed, 2020. "Electricity conservation opportunities within private university campuses in Bangladesh," Energy & Environment, , vol. 31(2), pages 256-274, March.
    4. Piotr Kosiński & Aldona Skotnicka-Siepsiak, 2022. "Possibilities of Adapting the University Lecture Room to the Green University Standard in Terms of Thermal Comfort and Ventilation Accuracy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Olusola Olaitan Ayeleru & Joshua Adeniyi Adeniran & Sula Bantubakhona Kwesi Ntsaluba & Lanrewaju Ibrahim Fajimi & Peter Apata Olubambi, 2023. "An Economic Analysis of Energy Consumption at Student Residences in a South African-Based Academic Institution Using NARX Neural Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-14, January.

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