The role of educational trainings in the diffusion of smart metering platforms: An agent-based modeling approach

Authored by Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska, Rafal Weron, Tomasz Weron

Date Published: 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2018.03.086

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Using an agent-based modeling approach we examine the impact of educational programs and trainings on the diffusion of smart metering platforms (SMPs). We also investigate how social responses, like conformity or independence, mass-media advertising as well as opinion stability impact the transition from predecisional and preactional behavioral stages (opinion formation) to actional and postactional stages (decision-making) of individual electricity consumers. We find that mass-media advertising (i.e., a global external field) and educational trainings (i.e., a local external field) lead to similar, though not identical adoption rates. Secondly, that spatially concentrated `group' trainings are never worse than randomly scattered ones, and for a certain range of parameters are significantly better. Finally, that by manipulating the time required by an agent to make a decision, e.g., through promotions, we can speed up or slow down the diffusion of SMPs. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tags

Agent-based model Simulation Opinion dynamics Diffusion of innovations Sznajd model Smart meter Markets Barriers Engagement Behaviors Smart metering platform (smp) Behavioral strategy Demand response