Domestication of Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems:A Case Study of Air Heat Pumps, Residential Micro Wind Stations and Solar Thermal Collectors in Finland

Jouni K. JuntunenPh.D. Student, Aalto University, School of Economics 2.12.2011 EcoDesign 2011 Kyoto

Overview

• Background• Domestication Framework• Domestication of Residential Energy Systems • Discussion• Conclusions

Background

• Energy provision is based on networked infrastructure and centralized systems.

• Passive role of end-users.• Low carbon solutions and rising

energy prices are changing local residential energy consumption.

• Renewable energy is increasingly produced locally on site.

• Requires technology adaptation, learning of use and changes or considerations in inhabitants’ daily life.

Domestication Framework

• Originated in large part from anthropology and consumption studies.

• Represented a shift away from models, which assumed the adoption of new innovations to be rational, linear, monocausal and technologically determined.

• Takes into account diversity and complexity of everyday life and technology’s place within its dynamics, ritual, rules and routines.

• Mainly used with ICT technology

• 4 Dimensions(Silverstone, Hirsch, and Morley 1992):

1. Appropriation

2. Objectification

3. Incorporation

4. Conversion  

Research question

What kind of domestication processes are involved with residential sustainable energy production and use?

Data and Methods

• Semi structured in-depth interviews. • Residential houses and summer

cottages.• The data includes 3 air heat pump

cases, 3 solar thermal collector cases and 2 micro wind cases.

• Qualitative study.• Data sets from Internet forums,

interviews and observations.

Appropriation

Motivations• Economical reasons• Convenience

– Combining renewable energy technologies with existing systems can make system use more convenient overall or help only in some parts of the year.

• Sustainability was not among main reasons to install renewable energy technology.

• Changing motivations over time– « When twins were teenagers, they wanted to have

television in the summer cottage and solar panel was then installed. Later on I installed also wind generator to extend power availability for darker period on autumn ».

Objectification and incorporation

Air heat pump• Placing of system requires careful

consideration• Relatively silent with reservations

Solar Thermal Collector• Clearly visible on the roof but not

considered disturbing

Micro-Wind• Suitable location is not always the highest

position

Examples of micro innovations, adaptations and configuration • In solar thermal collectors performance is not

optimal early spring or late autumn– Improved performance with additional valves

• Air heat pump improved temperature metering accuracy– In a room with high ceiling reconfigurations– Installation of extension cord for for sensor

• Air heat pump winter maintenance– In Nordic climate winter is causing maintenance

need – Plastic sledge is used to collect ice below the

unit and make the removal of ice easier

Conversion

• Power system discourse and importance of payback time:– Happens in case of technologies

with production capabilities.

• Most advanced users changing thinking from energy independence towards utilization of grid: – Smart grip opportunity.

« Before I was dreaming about organizing a celebration where big tongs are used to cut lines to the national power grid. Now I dream about solar panels that are connected via inverters to the grid».

« When do you get your money back? When are these solar collectors paying themselves back? Is this profitablesystem? I doubt that in normal renovations people need to answer similar questions: “when is your satellite antenna paying back, or swimming pool, or roof window ? »

Discussion:From trials to trust• Evolutionary, not revolutionary:

– Users are not seeking for radical one solution that fixes whole system and all previous problems.

• Users want to see what new technology is capable of: – Further changes and energy system investments are done

later on.

• New technology is not fully replacing old systems:– Acquired to support existing system, work with it and make

it more cost efficient or convenient in use or both.

Discussion: Intertwined energy production and consumption in domestic space• Household as site of both production and

consumption. • Partial departure from consumption

studies approach. • Users now have the possibility to

produce their own power, but they still face difficulties when trying to resell extra power generated back to the grid.

• Value of national distribution network seen from new direction.

Conclusions

• All 4 domestication processes are present and framework can be applied to residential renewable energy systems.

• A better understanding of the role of end-users in processes of technology diffusion could help the development of environmentally friendly final products and enhance the adoption rate of these technologies and lifestyles.

• Modularity of design should be high on manufacturers agenda.• Study of domestication creates knowledge for future purposes

when smart grid becomes available.

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