Conveying energy information on a targeted basis

Duration: 01.03.2008 - 28.02.2011

Consuming Energy Sustainably - Consuming Sustainable Energy

Background
The discussion on sustainable consumption cites the energy field in general and heating energy in particular as key areas for action. This raises the question of how sustainable consumption of heating energy can be fostered and/or how barriers to sustainable heat consumption can be dismantled.
The point of departure for this project is heating consumption in private households as influenced by structural conditions such as technological, organisational, economic and legal conditions.

Project aims
Bearing these determinants in mind, this project is investigating how well-informed individuals are and is examining consumer behaviour in the heating energy sector.
It will use its analysis of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence heat consumption to develop lifestyle and player-specific recommendations to foster sustainable heat consumption. These recommendations for action will target political decision-makers (with the aim of eliminating structural obstacles and to implement incentives), players in the consumer's surroundings (raising the information level regarding consumer needs) and consumers themselves (pointing out ways to eliminate obstacles to sustainable consumption).

Project management
Professor Dr Dr h.c. Ortwin Renn
University of Stuttgart
Interdisciplinary Research Unit on Risk Governance and Sustainable Technology Development
Institute for Social Sciences
Seidenstr. 36
70174 Stuttgart, GERMANY
Tel. +49 (0) 711 685 83970 |
E-mail: ortwin.renn(at)sowi.uni-stuttgart.de

Research Partners
University of Stuttgart, Interdisciplinary Research Unit on Risk Governance and Sustainable Technology Development, Institute for Social Sciences: Professor Dr Dr h.c. Ortwin Renn, Diana Gallego-Carrera, M.A., Sandra Wassermann, M.A., Dr. Wolfgang Weimer-Jehle
University of Stuttgart, Institute for Energy Management and Rational Energy Use, System Analysis and Renewable Energies Department: Dr Ludger Eltrop, Dr Marlies Härdtlein, Dipl. Ing. Till Jenssen, Dipl. Geograph Daniel Zech
Bremen Energy Institute: Dr Jürgen Gabriel, Dipl.-Volkswirtin Katy Jahnke
Frankfurt University, Institute for Labour, Commercial and Private Law, Law Faculty: PD Dr Marlene Schmidt
European Institute for Energy Research (EIFER): Dipl. Ing. Andreas Koch, Dr Nurten Avci, Pia Laborgne, M.A.

Field partners
Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg (Consumer Advice Centre of Baden-Württemberg)
Handwerkskammer zu Leipzig (Leipzig Chamber of Crafts and Skilled Trades)
Technology providers (including Paradigma and Solarcomplex)
Lokale Agenda 21 Büro Ludwigsburg (Local Agenda 21 Office, Ludwigsburg)
Siedlungswerk Stuttgart
Volkswohnung Karlsruhe
Energieberatungszentrum Stuttgart e.V. (Stuttgart Energy Advice Centre)
Schornsteinfegerinnung Stuttgart (Stuttgart Chimney Sweep Guild)
Architects Langheinrich and Manke
City planning departments
Wohnungsbau Genossenschaft Kontakt e.G.

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