Users, design and the role of feedback technologies in the Norwegian energy transition: An empirical study and some radical challenges

Abstract In this paper we explore the interaction between new “smart” energy feedback technologies and households. Based on in-depth qualitative video interviews with participants in two smart grid demonstration projects, the paper analyses how smart technology become integrated in the day-to-day activities of these households – how they interpreted and understood the technology, and how the technology became interwoven in processes of social learning. We have identified four kinds of relational re-arrangements that the feedback caters for: knowledge re-arrangements, material re-arrangements, social re-arrangements and routine re-arrangements. The re-arrangements illustrate how the technologies’ affordances open up for certain kinds transformative action, while sealing off options for others. The exercise points to some radical design challenges, and we suggest seeing both technology design and electricity use as situated practice in need of infrastructural support.

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