Smart Metering and Choice Architecture in Demand-Side Management: A Power Resource-Constrained Perspective

Abstract

This research explores the design and implementation of a groundbreaking smart meter for energy demand-side management (DSM) in Silale, a rural community in Tanzania, addressing challenges posed by the limited capacity and unregulated consumption off the local minigrid system. The research focuses on the meter's innovative design and its successful rollout within the community, highlighting the novelty of behavioral interventions in DSM strategies. The system adopts a tiered strategy, starting with gentle nudges using visual color and acoustic cues and progressing to harder choice architecture culminating in automatic power disconnection. The implementation of this system resulted in a 47.4% reduction in peak energy demand, alongside a significant change in power consumption patterns among Silale residents. These findings underscore the efficacy of nuanced behavioral nudges in combination with goal setting in achieving significant and enduring changes in energy use behaviors.