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Paper short abstract:

This paper examines how the introduction of smart energy technologies transforms material household practices. It argues that micro-domestications of smart and sustainable energy technologies are linked to changing material infrastructures, market conditions and regulatory arrangements.

Paper long abstract:

This paper examines how the introduction of smart energy technologies transforms domestic energy practices and regimes. Electricity providers and grid operators explore new energy management systems due to recent challenges in residential electricity systems (e.g. peak electricity demand, distribution loss). Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), for example, introduce 'smartness' into the home and seek to shift demands to off-peak times, utilise local storage capacities and reduce electricity consumption. 'Smartifying' the home enables sustainable energy consumption and modifies material household practices.

This contribution conceptualises such changes with a Domestic Energy Practices Transition (DEPT) framework. Drawing on insights from Transition Studies, Social Practice Theory and Science and Technology Studies, this framework highlights how shifting energy-demanding practices are tied to broader shifting practices and regimes. It particularly highlights how shifting household practices incorporate new technologies, materials and skills that resonate with socio-technical and governance arrangements (Strengers, 2013).

The paper presents some EU and US cases of smart homes and HEMS projects. Empirical materials consist of pilot project evaluations and reports, advertisements and brochures, and participatory observations of a Dutch smart homes project. Coding methods and discourse analysis are used to map, cluster and reflect on these projects. HEMS connect big data (e.g. forecasting sun hours), smart appliances (white goods that 'communicate') and local energy sources (PV, battery) to household activities (e.g. washing, cooking, cleaning) in diverse ways. The paper argues that these heterogeneous micro-domestications of smart and sustainable energy technologies are embedded in shifting material infrastructures, market conditions and regulatory arrangements.