Q&A: Clean energy, technology and striving for net zero
Learn about Dr Jo Swaffield’s clean energy projects and how she is supporting the use of innovative energy tech in UK households.
Dr Jo Swaffield has been involved in an innovative engagement programme, focusing on public responses to new energy related technologies.
She has been working with a range of project partners, including Northern Gas Networks, National Energy Action, and Newcastle Centre for Innovation. They have been exploring the challenges that people may face in adopting these new ideas and how different barriers can be addressed.
Q&A
This is a big collaborative project. Can you tell us about your role in the research?
The project used an innovative research facility – Futures Close – to introduce members of the public to a range of energy-related technologies and assess their responses. The products were installed in demonstrator houses at the facility, and twenty-seven participants were invited to see how they would look, feel and operate in ‘real-life’. I worked with the social research team to design and manage the engagement process, conducting interviews and focus groups before analysing the data for the final report.
Why is it important to understand what people think about new technologies?
To achieve net zero targets by 2050, the UK needs to reduce energy consumption significantly across its existing housing stock. New household energy technologies, such as renewable energy sources (e.g., solar panels and heat pumps), energy storage systems, and AI-integrated smart home devices are designed to make homes more efficient, affordable, and sustainable by reducing both energy consumption and carbon emissions. However, their success depends on how well they fit into people’s daily lives and how accessible they are to all households.
How did people respond to these new and innovative ideas?
The research indicated that participants were initially concerned with practical considerations such as cost, return on investment and disruption, but that perceptions of the look and feel of the products had a greater bearing on appeal once the people had experienced them in situ. They were more interested and willing to engage. However, uncertainty about new, unfamiliar and untested products remained a concern throughout the sessions, accentuating the challenges associated with risk, cost and disruption and, for most people, overriding the positive impact of the engagement process.
Why was research conducted at Futures Close – what did this add to the project?
Visiting the demonstrator site exposed participants to technologies that they were unfamiliar with, challenging their preconceived ideas and introducing them to the range of options that are available to improve energy efficiency in the home. It allowed them to see the technologies in operation and ask questions about their use and effectiveness. Experiencing the products in situ also conveyed the look, feel and, in some cases, sound, of the different technologies in a home environment. It provided a more authentic context for the research.
What’s next for your work in this area?
We are looking at how we might replicate the Futures Close experience in a more accessible way. The project generated some important insights, but these were limited to a very small sample and, unfortunately, it is not feasible to bring large numbers of participants to the facility. We are currently exploring ways that we might move the experience online or design community-based initiatives for engagement.
Dr Swaffield’s research contributes to the School’s commitment to building a more sustainable world through trusted research. Find out more about the Business School’s mission and values here.