Policy recommendations to induce behavioural changes through interactive energy visualisation

One of the important ways of saving household electricity and inducing behavioural change is through the visualisation of electricity consumption. Several models have been proposed to make the visualisation more creative and interactive to achieve significant energy savings among the energy users. However, advocating this visualisation among the users requires policy analysts and government bodies to design relevant energy efficiency policies. This paper has analysed the requirements of an interactive energy visualisation system named ECoS (Energy Control System) through user-centered techniques such as survey and design thinking activity, and the top seven features of the system are identified, designed and implemented. These features are assessed through usability testing and the software is updated based on the feedback from the participants. With all these assessments and analysis, five policy recommendations for the government and other stakeholders are discussed to make effective use of this visualisation software to induce sustainable behavioural change among users. This energy visualisation software will help energy users to understand their energy profile, and take certain easy actions for better control of their energy usage.