User-Centric Design of Energy Systems

Be the boss in your own house

(Baas In Eigen huiS — BIES)

status: project development

quick facts

methodology and set of tools

Develop processes and tools for chain collaboration, as well as a set of behavioural interventions to ensure residents feel empowered using innovative energy systems in their house and neighbourhood.

building and renovation projects

Focuses on building and renovation projects within the Netherlands

positive climate impact

Prevents the energy transition from slowing down by ensuring that residents of new and refurbished houses are satisfied with the new energy system, even though it requires behavioural change. Their stories inspire others to embrace energy-efficient homes and neighbourhoods.

partner with us

If you are interested in joining this project, let us know!

problem

The energy-efficient housing, as well as energy storage and sharing in the neighbourhood, has enormous potential to contribute to the energy transition and mitigate climate change. However, residents face unexpected challenges due to the added complexity. This calls for better chain collaboration, greater transparency on how the systems function, and support for behavioural change.

solution

Develop a methodology and set of tools to ensure that residents can use new energy systems effectively and in a way that fits their lifestyle.

project overview

  • As we transition to local energy communities powered by sustainable technologies, the complexity of these systems increases, yet they must remain clear and accessible for residents. In the first innovative projects, residents often face unexpected challenges. For example, they may be surprised to find that the battery does not charge when the neighbourhood has excess solar energy, that it is unclear who benefits from solar roofs, or that a heat pump seems broken when it takes a full day to heat the house by just one degree.

    Despite the promise of sustainability, comfort, and cost savings, residents encounter unexpected costs and frustration. This highlights the need for greater transparency, better agreements, and a stronger alignment between technology and behaviour.

  • Improved alignment: better match between technology and user expectations and behaviour

    Building trust: Users, owners, and other stakeholders, including underrepresented groups, have confidence in the new energy systems and engineers creating and maintaining them and will recommend living in energy-efficient houses and local energy communities.

expected outcomes

  • Greater trust of users, owners, and other stakeholders of climate-friendly buildings, including underrepresented groups, in the new energy stems

  • The technology matches user behaviour better, leading to more accurate savings forecasts and increased user satisfaction

  • Key stakeholders will be motivated to apply BIES’s tools beyond the test locations, ensuring sustainability and potential further development of the tools