New research which aims to transform people’s energy usage will be showcased in a free public event at Plymouth University.
eViz (Energy Visualisation for Carbon Reduction) is an EPSRC-funded project which has developed novel solutions designed to reduce energy demand in buildings.
These include prototypes of a virtual reality home, real-time energy displays, a social media architecture, an energy efficiency app and thermal imaging applications.
At the event on Thursday 10 September, people will get the first opportunity to use these tools and see for themselves how they might inform and transform their future behaviour.
It may be of interest to anyone who communicates about energy usage, including those working in architecture and design, transition town movements, community groups and energy campaigners.
The eViz project is co-led by Plymouth University researchers Dr Sabine Pahl, from the School of Psychology, and Professor Pieter de Wilde, from the Environmental Building Group, along with academic partners in Bath, Birmingham and Newcastle Universities.
Dr Pahl said:
“People find it difficult to visualise energy and relate it to their daily lives. Our research wants to help people make that connection in an intuitive, straightforward way, and this event will hopefully give us vital feedback on the tools we have developed.”
Professor de Wilde added:
“However energy efficient a building may be, occupants have a significant impact on its actual energy demand through design, operational control and management. eViz aims to enhance knowledge and support decision making through the latest developments in ICT, visualisation and social media.”
The research project was launched in 2012, and seeks to explore how visualisation helps to communicate energy use, which visualisations make a difference to motivation and behaviour, how technical data can be integrated into visualisations for end users, the role of social media, and any potential pitfalls.
The public event – taking place in the University’s Rolle Building from 7-8.30pm on Thursday 10 September – coincides with a major conference, to be attended by leading figures from academia and industry.
Email us about the eViz public event at evizproject@gmail.com.