Dr. Kristin Limbach | 0721 608-44677 | kristin.limbach@kit.edu

Background
One main way to manage energy consumption patterns is the optimal choice of incentive is as it can elicit demand flexibility in the form of shifts, reduction or substitutions. While demand for energy is considered to be already flexible (e.g. Förster et al, 2024), we need to understand how to stir this flexibility to make load management more efficient. Electricity tariffs can provide financial incentives that make off-peak consumption more attractive. In addition, non-pecuniary incentives have shown to prompt important shifts in behaviour in several areas of consumption (e.g. work by Cialdini et al.). Thus, we need to gain a better understanding on what type of incentive can be effective in steering energy behaviour. Moreover, it would be useful for policy makers and energy providers alike to shed light on the likely percentage savings that can be attributed to each tool in the incentive mix and on how they interact.

Objectives of the thesis
The goal of this project is to conduct a systematic literature review that can provide an estimate for the likely percentage savings for the different non-pecuniary intervention types. Specifically, by pooling upon the findings from existing studies, each incentive type embedded in a given context is to be evaluated. The effects of a particular incentive type can also vary across different user groups depending on socio-economic characteristics and lifestyles. Thus, the contingency between context and incentive needs to be established in order to draw conclusions on its effectiveness. In a first step, you will analyse the existing literature in order to identify different incentive mechanisms for energy consumption. This list will then be used to establish a classification according to incentives’ characteristics. Next, the different social and behavioural contexts will be taken into account in order to identify the advantages and disadvantages of incentive types in each context as well as the magnitude of effects. If possible, interaction effects with financial incentives can be highlighted.

Requirements
▪ Interest in social science topics (regulation, user behavior) and energy (e.g. load  management)
▪ Willingness to work independently
▪ Ideally existing skills synthesizing literature and using citation tools (e.g. Endnote)
▪ Ideally first experiences with statistical analysis