How Can We Achieve a Long-Term Effect of Serious Energy Games on the Change in Residential Electricity Demand?

Anton Belinskiy (), Ioannis Lampropoulos (), Hossein Nasrollahi, Jan Dirk Fijnheer, Remco C. Veltkamp and Wilfried van Sark
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Anton Belinskiy: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ioannis Lampropoulos: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hossein Nasrollahi: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Jan Dirk Fijnheer: Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Remco C. Veltkamp: Department of Information & Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Wilfried van Sark: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-32

Abstract: As global energy concerns escalate, there is a growing need for effective strategies to promote sustainable energy practices among individuals and communities. Gamification, the integration of game-design elements in non-game contexts, emerges as a promising tool to enhance user engagement and foster sustainable behaviour in energy management. In this review, we examine the theoretical aspects of gamification and its application in energy management in users’ households, highlighting its potential to transform repetitive or even monotonous tasks into engaging activities, focusing on studies that measure a long-term effect. We delve into various gamified elements adopted in long-term studies, such as feedback, social interactions, point systems, leader boards, narrative-driven challenges, etc., to understand their effect on user motivation and behavioural changes. From our set of studies, we found out that strong social game elements contribute the most to the long-term behaviour change of energy usage. One more condition of behaviour change is strong positive user satisfaction: the game should be engaging. We highlight the possible limitations of gamification in an energy management situation, a strong need for better practices of design and evaluation, and innovative approaches (such as DSM; Demand Side Management) in gamification for long-term engagement in household energy management.

Keywords: serious game; energy management; behaviour change; engagement; user experience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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