Comments on: Watts all the buzz about smart grid energy? http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/ an experience design blog Mon, 16 May 2011 06:16:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mia Silverman http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-2665 Mia Silverman Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:08:43 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-2665 Thanks for all the comments! Dan - I completely agree that providing other meaningful equivalents for energy consumption (in addition to dollars) is a powerful way to further encourage conservation and also to educate consumers. The Chevron Energy Generator example is one of my favorites becuase it does this in such a compelling, visual, and delightful way. Thanks for all the comments!
Dan – I completely agree that providing other meaningful equivalents for energy consumption (in addition to dollars) is a powerful way to further encourage conservation and also to educate consumers. The Chevron Energy Generator example is one of my favorites becuase it does this in such a compelling, visual, and delightful way.

]]> By: DanP http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-2614 DanP Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:36:49 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-2614 Great stuff, I enjoyed reading your analysis. One thing I've been considering: is it enough to show consumers what the "real" cost of their energy consumption is? Consider Los Altos California. The average cost of a home, the average income compared to the relatively low cost of energy use. In assessing users motivations to conserve, a second display might show a direct link to wildlife... what is the end effect to the world that my changes are making? Understanding Carbon Units is a stretch - but understanding that saving 20 of them decreases air pollution in my town by .07%, or that my family made a contribution of 3% to the average decrease is cause for celebration. Money is, of course, a very strong mitigating factor - but there are others that are arguably more powerful and lasting. There are some interesting cognitive research studies on "guilt and social refund as a consumer motivator". Great topic, love the blog. I'm designing a system not too far off track from this and enjoyed the info. -Dan, Los Altos CA. (guilty). Great stuff, I enjoyed reading your analysis. One thing I’ve been considering: is it enough to show consumers what the “real” cost of their energy consumption is? Consider Los Altos California. The average cost of a home, the average income compared to the relatively low cost of energy use. In assessing users motivations to conserve, a second display might show a direct link to wildlife… what is the end effect to the world that my changes are making? Understanding Carbon Units is a stretch – but understanding that saving 20 of them decreases air pollution in my town by .07%, or that my family made a contribution of 3% to the average decrease is cause for celebration. Money is, of course, a very strong mitigating factor – but there are others that are arguably more powerful and lasting. There are some interesting cognitive research studies on “guilt and social refund as a consumer motivator”. Great topic, love the blog. I’m designing a system not too far off track from this and enjoyed the info.
-Dan, Los Altos CA. (guilty).

]]> By: Lawrence Silverman http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-1815 Lawrence Silverman Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:48:26 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-1815 Mia - I was surprised by the coincidence of our last names. But that is completely outside the subject of this email. We at GridPlex have developed an entirely different approach to Energy User-Interfaces. We are about to release it but would enjoy previewing it to you for comments. Please contact me. Your analysis of existing products was right on target, and I'd enjoy your feedback. Best regards -- Larry Mia – I was surprised by the coincidence of our last names. But that is completely outside the subject of this email. We at GridPlex have developed an entirely different approach to Energy User-Interfaces. We are about to release it but would enjoy previewing it to you for comments. Please contact me. Your analysis of existing products was right on target, and I’d enjoy your feedback.
Best regards — Larry

]]> By: George K. http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-1771 George K. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:28:04 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-1771 nice post, and I agree completely. I would say that Fat Spaniel's commercial user base is much more sophisticated / demanding than Tendril's or Greenbox's residential user base in terms of information needs. Might want to review Control 4's UI as well. Their UI and customer understanding is as good as I've seen. Lastly, you may want to refer to our president as President Obama and not simply 'Obama'. A nit to be sure, but an important distinction in business communications. nice post, and I agree completely. I would say that Fat Spaniel’s commercial user base is much more sophisticated / demanding than Tendril’s or Greenbox’s residential user base in terms of information needs. Might want to review Control 4′s UI as well. Their UI and customer understanding is as good as I’ve seen. Lastly, you may want to refer to our president as President Obama and not simply ‘Obama’. A nit to be sure, but an important distinction in business communications.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 uberVU - social comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-1722 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by jstanford1000: RT: @slicedbreader New #UX Blog Post on designing consumer energy portals for the #smart grid http://bit.ly/43b0Zh . #energy #utility... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by jstanford1000: RT: @slicedbreader New #UX Blog Post on designing consumer energy portals for the #smart grid http://bit.ly/43b0Zh . #energy #utility…

]]> By: Tom leys http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-1721 Tom leys Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:58:29 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-1721 Some great suggestions. I'm trying to take a page out of the your design book and keep our interface clean and simple. We still have a way to go before it is really easy to use, but that is our goal. Some great suggestions. I’m trying to take a page out of the your design book and keep our interface clean and simple. We still have a way to go before it is really easy to use, but that is our goal.

]]> By: Ariel Di Stefano http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/watts-all-the-buzz-about-smart-grid-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-1719 Ariel Di Stefano Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:50:12 +0000 http://www.slicedbreaddesign.com/blog/?p=792#comment-1719 Great Post!. Seems like smart grid energy will be "the next hot topic" after FB :) Great Post!. Seems like smart grid energy will be “the next hot topic” after FB :)

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