Browsing by Author "Kirchler, B."

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Citation - WoS: 16
Citation - Scopus: 18
Empowering Energy Citizenship: Exploring Dimensions and Drivers in Citizen Engagement During the Energy Transition
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Biresselioğlu, Mehmet Efe; Demir, Muhittin Hakan; Solak, Berfu; Savaş, Zehra Funda; Kollmann, A.; Kirchler, B.; Özcureci, Berker
One fundamental aspect of the energy transition involves fostering the active involvement of citizens in the energy system, going beyond their traditional roles as mere “consumers” or “customers.” This shift hinges on individuals' perceptions and displays of energy citizenship. While no universal consensus exists, indicators of energy citizenship include increased awareness of energy issues, incorporation of energy considerations into lifestyle choices, and direct participation in the energy system. Despite this acknowledgement, the current literature lacks an overarching conceptual framework for understanding energy citizenship. This study employs a hybrid methodology, merging systematic and integrative literature reviews. The objective is to explain how existing studies conceptualise energy citizenship, outlining key dimensions and drivers in the literature. The findings reveal that drivers of energy citizenship span socio-political, economic, environmental, psychological, and ethical dimensions. © 2024 The Authors
Citation - WoS: 4
Citation - Scopus: 5
Promoting Electricity Conservation Through Behavior Change: a Study Protocol for a Web-Based Multiple-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial
(Public Library of Science, 2024) Asgarabad, M.H.; Vesely, S.; Biresselioğlu, Mehmet Efe; Caffaro, F.; Carrus, G.; Demir, Muhittin Hakan; Kirchler, B.
Background and aims As a part of the framework of the EU-funded Energy efficiency through Behavior CHANge Transition (ENCHANT) project, the present paper intends to provide a “Research Protocol” of a web-based trial to: (i) assess the effectiveness of behavioral intervention strategies––either single or in combination––on electricity saving, and (ii) unravel the psychological factors contributing to intervention effectiveness in households across Europe. Methods and materials Six distinct interventions (i.e., information provision, collective vs. individual message framing, social norms, consumption feedback, competitive elements, and commitment strategies) targeting electricity saving in households from six European countries (i.e., Austria, Germany, Italy, Norway, Romania, and Türkiye) are evaluated, with an initial expected samples of about 1500 households per country randomly assigned to 12 intervention groups and two control groups, and data is collected through an ad-hoc online platform. The primary outcome is the weekly electricity consumption normalized to the last seven days before measurement per person per household. Secondary outcomes are the peak consumption during the last day before measurement and the self-reported implementation of electricity saving behaviors (e.g., deicing the refrigerator). The underlying psychological factors expected to mediate and/or moderate the intervention effects on these outcomes are intentions to save electricity, perceived difficulty of saving energy, attitudes to electricity saving, electricity saving habit strength, social norms to save electricity, personal norms, collective efficacy, emotional reaction to electricity consumption, and national identity. The intervention effectiveness will be evaluated by comparing psychological factors and consumption variables before and after the intervention, leading to a 14 (groups including 2 control groups) × 6 (time) mixed factorial design, with one factor between (group) and one factor within subjects (time)–6 measurements of the psychological factors and 6 readings of the electricity meters, which gives then 5 weeks of electricity consumption. Results Data collection for the present RCT started in January 2023, and by October 2023 data collection will conclude. Discussion Upon establishing feasibility and effectiveness, the outcomes of this study will assist policymakers, municipalities, NGOs, and other communal entities in identifying impactful interventions tailored to their unique circumstances and available resources. Researchers will benefit from a flexible, structured tool that allows the design, implementation and monitoring of complex interventions protocols. Crucially, the intervention participants will benefit from electricity saving strategies, fostering immediate effectiveness of the interventions in real-life contexts. © 2024 Public Library of Science. All rights reserved.