Use Case 5: Behavioral Change for Energy Savings in Space Cooling
Target Users
Public administrations, civil society.
User Story Description
Changing energy behaviors to reduce consumption in public and private buildings is a crucial aspect of the transformation of the energy system, and space cooling (SC) is becoming an increasingly significant part of this transition.
Research Question
How can behavioral changes and adaptive cooling practices contribute to reducing energy consumption in public and private buildings, and how can they be effectively integrated into space cooling strategies?
Calculation Module Use and Order
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Demand-Side Management: Encouraging behavioral change in cooling consumption requires a clear understanding of how demand-side measures can optimize energy use. The Demand-Side Management Calculation Module allows users to assess the impact of demand response strategies and PV self-consumption on cooling energy use. By shifting cooling demand to match renewable energy generation, this module provides a foundation for developing behavioral interventions that encourage energy-saving habits, such as pre-cooling buildings during peak solar hours or reducing cooling loads when demand is high.
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Comfort, Lifestyle, and User Behavior: Energy behavior and thermal comfort expectations significantly influence cooling demand. The Comfort, Lifestyle, and User Behavior Calculation Module provides insights into how typical cooling behaviors, adaptive interventions, and comfort preferences shape energy use. This module helps identify behavioral strategies that have been successful in reducing cooling energy demand, such as adjusting temperature setpoints, using natural ventilation, or adopting shading techniques. Understanding these factors allows policymakers and public administrators to design targeted awareness campaigns and encourage behavioral change in both residential and commercial buildings.
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Legal and Regulatory Layers: Behavioral change strategies are most effective when supported by regulations and policies that encourage energy-efficient cooling practices. The Legal and Regulatory Layers Calculation Module provides an overview of EU and national regulations that influence space cooling, including policies that promote energy efficiency and demand-side flexibility. This module helps public administrators identify legal mechanisms—such as building codes, energy efficiency mandates, or incentives for energy-conscious cooling practices—that can be used to reinforce behavioral change initiatives.
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Financial Instruments: To support behavioral change initiatives, financial mechanisms can be leveraged to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient cooling habits and technologies. The Financial Instruments Calculation Module allows users to identify relevant financial support schemes, such as subsidies for efficient cooling equipment, incentives for behavioral awareness programs, or grants for demand-side management interventions. By aligning financial incentives with behavioral change strategies, policymakers can ensure that energy-saving practices are widely adopted and sustained over time.
By applying these calculation modules, public administrations and civil society organizations can develop effective strategies for promoting behavioral change in space cooling. This structured approach allows for the assessment of demand-side flexibility, identification of energy-saving behavioral interventions, alignment with regulatory frameworks, and integration of financial incentives. As a result, cooling energy consumption in public and private buildings can be significantly reduced while ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency.
How To Cite
Aadit Malla, in CoolLIFE-Wiki, User Story 5: Behavioral Change for Energy Savings in Space Cooling
Authors And Reviewers
This page was written by Aadit Malla EEG-TU WIEN.
This page was reviewed by Ardak Akhatova e-think.
License
Copyright © 2024-2025: Aadit Malla
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 International License.
SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-4.0
License-Text: https://spdx.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0.html
Acknowledgement
We would like to convey our deepest appreciation to the LIFE Programme CoolLIFE Project (Grant Agreement number 101075405), which co-funded the present investigation.