Date of Award
5-2017
Degree Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Dual Degree Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy (MBA/ESP)
Department
International Development, Community and Environment
Chief Instructor
Laura M. Graves
Second Reader
Charles C. Agosta
Third Reader
Nicholas Corsetti
Keywords
Smart Grid, Demand Response, National Grid, Smart Energy Solutions, peak demand, Worcester
Abstract
Over the past decade, America’s utility grid has undergone fundamental changes on a scale not seen during the past 100 years (Energetics Incorporated, 2014). These changes have largely been driven by the need to replace aging infrastructure, modernize the grid, incorporate new sources of energy, and better balance the supply and demand of energy. In order to address some of these changes, utilities have increasingly implemented smart grid programs that provide customers with consumer-focused demand response technologies that aim to reduce peak demand. This report examined the success these technologies have in reducing peak demand for smart grid programs by utilizing National Grid’s Smart Energy Solutions (SES) program as a case study and drawing on learnings from other smart grid programs. By using benchmarking and a hierarchy of effects marketing analysis, structural and psychological barriers to customer adoption of these technologies were identified and National Grid was provided with six recommendations for overcoming these barriers to increase technology adoption and reduce peak demand.
Recommended Citation
Richards, John M., "An Analysis of Structural and Psychological Barriers to the Adoption of Demand Response Smart Grid Technologies: Lessons Learned" (2017). International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE). 175.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/175