Consumer-centric service innovations in an era of self-selecting customers

Emi Minghui Gui, Iain MacGill

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Today’s energy consumers are increasingly empowered, yet also potentially overwhelmed, by a growing multitude of choices including new distributed energy “product” offerings such as rooftop solar, smart loads and energy storage, as well as energy service oriented options such as more cost-reflective tariffs, peer-to-peer trading, and virtual power plant participation. This widening range of choices allow consumer self-selection to satisfy individual needs in energy consumption, production, and even energy asset investment. They however must make highly complex choices under considerable technical and financial uncertainty. Fortunately, a growing number of consumer-centric service innovations are now seeking to assist consumers in such decision making. This chapter analyzes the consumer decision-making process and reveals key consumer-centric service models offering simple and no-frill services, customized and personalized solutions, or more fully integrated services.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationConsumer, Prosumer, Prosumager
Subtitle of host publicationHow Service Innovations will Disrupt the Utility Business Model
EditorsFereidoon Sioshansi
Place of PublicationLondon UK
PublisherElsevier - Mosby
Chapter7
Pages127-151
Number of pages25
ISBN (Electronic)9780128168356
ISBN (Print)9780128168363
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Consumer behavior
  • Consumer decision making
  • Consumer-centric business model
  • Energy choice
  • Nonutility service

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