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Using information systems to improve energy efficiency: Do smart meters make a difference?

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  • Jacqueline Corbett

    (Université Laval)

Abstract

The large-scale generation of electricity is a major contributor to increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions, putting pressure on the industry to reduce its environmental impacts. Electricity utility companies are looking to two strategies to help make this happen: the smart grid and demand-side management. Viewing the challenge from an IS perspective, this study attempts to answer the question: do smart grid information systems and technologies make a difference in utilities’ efforts to promote energy efficiency? Drawing on organizational information processing theory and extending it by integrating the concept of information waste, two competing hypotheses are developed and tested using hierarchical regression and data from 543 U.S. electricity utilities. The model, incorporating four levels of metering devices, is found to explain a high portion of the variance in energy efficiency effects of demand-side management programs. This suggests that there are IS-enabled information processing capacities within smart meters that have a significant influence on utilities’ EDM effectiveness. However, the results also point to the potential for both positive and negative effects. Implications of these findings for practice and future research directions are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacqueline Corbett, 2013. "Using information systems to improve energy efficiency: Do smart meters make a difference?," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 747-760, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:15:y:2013:i:5:d:10.1007_s10796-013-9414-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-013-9414-0
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    5. Yen-Chun Chou & Benjamin B. M. Shao, 2023. "An Empirical Study of Information Technology Capabilities to Enable Value Chain Activities and Interfaces," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 1533-1547, August.
    6. Zhaojun Yang & Jun Sun & Yali Zhang & Ying Wang, 2018. "Peas and carrots just because they are green? Operational fit between green supply chain management and green information system," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 627-645, June.
    7. Joseph Sarkis & Chulmo Koo & Richard T. Watson, 2013. "Green information systems & technologies – this generation and beyond: Introduction to the special issue," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 695-704, November.
    8. Serra, Daniele & Mardero, Daniele & Di Stefano, Luca & Grillo, Samuele, 2021. "Post-metering value-added services for low voltage electricity users: Lessons learned from the Italian experience of CHAIN 2," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    9. Alfred Benedikt Brendel & Friedrich Chasin & Milad Mirbabaie & Dennis M. Riehle & Christine Harnischmacher, 2022. "Review of Design-Oriented Green Information Systems Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-33, April.
    10. Mauro Castelli & Ivo Gonçalves & Leonardo Trujillo & Aleš Popovič, 2017. "An evolutionary system for ozone concentration forecasting," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1123-1132, October.
    11. Ajaya Kumar Swain & Ray Qing Cao, 2019. "Using sentiment analysis to improve supply chain intelligence," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 469-484, April.
    12. Roya Gholami & Alemayehu Molla & Suparna Goswami & Christopher Brewster, 0. "Green information systems use in social enterprise: the case of a community-led eco-localization website in the West Midlands region of the UK," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-17.
    13. Zhou, Kaile & Yang, Shanlin, 2016. "Understanding household energy consumption behavior: The contribution of energy big data analytics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 810-819.
    14. Strong, Derek Ryan, 2017. "The Early Diffusion of Smart Meters in the US Electric Power Industry," Thesis Commons 7zprk, Center for Open Science.
    15. Zhaojun Yang & Jun Sun & Yali Zhang & Ying Wang, 0. "Peas and carrots just because they are green? Operational fit between green supply chain management and green information system," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-19.
    16. McHenry, Mark P., 2013. "Technical and governance considerations for advanced metering infrastructure/smart meters: Technology, security, uncertainty, costs, benefits, and risks," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 834-842.
    17. Jelena Lukić & Miloš Radenković & Marijana Despotović-Zrakić & Aleksandra Labus & Zorica Bogdanović, 2017. "Supply chain intelligence for electricity markets: A smart grid perspective," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 91-107, February.

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