Consumer energy choices: smoothing the transition to a low carbon energy

Cambridge Econometrics is pleased to announce its participation in ENABLE.EU, a research project which aims to improve the understanding of consumer energy choices in transport, heating & cooling and electricity supply.

Our role

We will be modelling different scenarios to assess how consumer choices impact on national and EU energy demand, and ultimately how policy aimed at altering consumer choices can help the EU to meet the aims of the Energy Union.

For example, a government that introduces subsidies on the sale of low carbon cars might greatly influence consumers’ transportation choices and energy demand (e.g. through a switch from fossil fuels to electricity).

Likewise, the increasing prevalence of domestic solar power may alter consumer behaviour depending on the level of subsidy and its implementation, reducing demand on the centralised power grid.

Horizon 2020

Funded by Horizon 2020 (the EU’s biggest research and innovation fund) ENABLE.EU aims to improve understanding of the drivers of individual and collective energy choices in Europe.  This will help policymakers address the challenge of ensuring that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy – the aspiration of the Energy Union.

ENABLE’s first newsletter covers how the project is changing the way we look at energy transitions, and how we can ensure a more successful and participatory shift to low carbon energy. A sneak peek is given into the household survey and case studies now being conducted.

Get involved

The newsletter also covers the project’s extensive bibliography and literature review, which offers an analysis of the state of the art of research on the drivers of energy choices. Finally, information is provided regarding project-related events, the project’s website and our social media initiatives.

Take a look for yourself, and then join the debate on LinkedIn and Twitter!