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Enhancing the communication potential of smart metering for energy and water

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  • Michalec, Aleksandra
  • Hayes, Enda
  • Longhurst, James
  • Tudgey, David

Abstract

The success of water and energy smart metering is highly contingent on a successful communication strategy. We report on the findings from a qualitative study involving discourse analysis of customer messaging and focus groups with utility professionals. Discourse analysis suggests that the primary framings applied are "control", "convenience and "savings". Focus groups revealed paradoxes contained in these framings as the participants associate metering with the loss of control over private data, inconvenience during the installation process, and lack of financial gains if customers’ lifestyles cannot support “smart” decisions. Future communications should be tailored to the values and needs of consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Michalec, Aleksandra & Hayes, Enda & Longhurst, James & Tudgey, David, 2019. "Enhancing the communication potential of smart metering for energy and water," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 33-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:juipol:v:56:y:2019:i:c:p:33-40
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2018.11.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Solis, Miriam & Bashar, Samira Binte, 2022. "Social equity implications of advanced water metering infrastructure," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Ola Michalec & Sveta Milyaeva & Awais Rashid, 2022. "Reconfiguring governance: How cyber security regulations are reconfiguring water governance," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 1325-1342, October.
    3. Brühl, Johanna & Smith, Grant & Visser, Martine, 2019. "Simple is good: Redesigning utility bills to reduce complexity and increase understanding," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1-1.
    4. Amankwaa, Godfred & Heeks, Richard & Browne, Alison L., 2023. "Smartening up: User experience with smart water metering infrastructure in an African city," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    5. Marc Ringel & Roufaida Laidi & Djamel Djenouri, 2019. "Multiple Benefits through Smart Home Energy Management Solutions—A Simulation-Based Case Study of a Single-Family-House in Algeria and Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, April.
    6. Milchram, Christine & Künneke, Rolf & Doorn, Neelke & van de Kaa, Geerten & Hillerbrand, Rafaela, 2020. "Designing for justice in electricity systems: A comparison of smart grid experiments in the Netherlands," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    7. Lee, Dasom & Hess, David J., 2021. "Data privacy and residential smart meters: Comparative analysis and harmonization potential," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    8. Marc Ringel & Roufaida Laidi & Djamel Djenouri, 2019. "Multiple Benefits through Smart Home Energy Management Solutions -- A Simulation-Based Case Study of a Single-Family House in Algeria and Germany," Papers 1904.11496, arXiv.org.

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