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Public Awareness and Consumer Acceptance of Smart Meters among Polish Social Media Users

Author

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  • Yash Chawla

    (Department of Operations Research, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska

    (Department of Operations Research, Faculty of Computer Science and Management, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

Abstract

Both people and things are becoming smarter by the day. Industrial evolution at the peak of the 4.0 phase and indications of 5.0 phase are fascinating. In these circumstances, fulfilling the demand for energy is a challenge faced by countries all over the world. Upgrading the current energy distribution systems with smart grids and smart meters are steps towards facing this challenge, especially for Poland, which is primarily relying on conventional sources of energy. For any innovation or new technology, creating public awareness and consumer acceptance enhances the chance for a fruitful deployment. To achieve this, various communication channels are adopted and social media is found to be one of the most effective tools for it. This study discusses the awareness level and consumer acceptance of social media users in Poland. The source through which they receive information regarding electricity in general and smart meters (SM) in particular and their preferences and willingness about the installation of SM under various conditions are discussed in detail. Findings show that there is low level of public awareness among the respondents which causes them to develop myths, fears and doubts about SM installation in their households. More effort is required from the government as well as from the energy companies in order to increase the public awareness which will result in an increase in consumer acceptance. Based on the results, the article also contains recommendations that can be used by governments as well as energy companies to create a positive feeling about SM to affect consumer behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Yash Chawla & Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska, 2019. "Public Awareness and Consumer Acceptance of Smart Meters among Polish Social Media Users," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:14:p:2759-:d:249555
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Marek Kott & Joanna Kott, 2020. "How much Polish consumers know about alternative fuel vehicles?," WORking papers in Management Science (WORMS) WORMS/20/14, Department of Operations Research and Business Intelligence, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology.
    2. Maria Csutora & Gabor Harangozo & Cecilia Szigeti, 2022. "Factors behind the Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Business Models in Pandemic Times," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Marek Kott & Joanna Kott, 2021. "How Much Polish Consumers Know about Alternative Fuel Vehicles? Impact of Knowledge on the Willingness to Buy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Yash Chawla & Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Widayat Widayat, 2019. "Consumer Willingness and Acceptance of Smart Meters in Indonesia," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-23, November.
    5. Neska, Ewa & Kowalska-Pyzalska, Anna, 2022. "Conceptual design of energy market topologies for communities and their practical applications in EU: A comparison of three case studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    6. Chawla, Yash & Kowalska-Pyzalska, Anna & Skowrońska-Szmer, Anna, 2020. "Perspectives of smart meters’ roll-out in India: An empirical analysis of consumers’ awareness and preferences," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    7. Mehmet Efe Biresselioglu & Muhittin Hakan Demir & Sebnem Altinci, 2022. "Understanding the Citizen’s Role in the Transition to a Smart Energy System: Are We Ready?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-24, May.
    8. Yash Chawla & Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Burcu Oralhan, 2020. "Attitudes and Opinions of Social Media Users Towards Smart Meters’ Rollout in Turkey," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-27, February.
    9. Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Katarzyna Byrka & Jakub Serek, 2020. "How to Foster the Adoption of Electricity Smart Meters? A Longitudinal Field Study of Residential Consumers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    10. Yash Chawla & Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska & Paulo Duarte Silveira, 2019. "Marketing and communications channels for diffusion of smart meters in Portugal," HSC Research Reports HSC/19/05, Hugo Steinhaus Center, Wroclaw University of Technology.

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