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The precursors of acceptance for a prosumer-led transition to a future smart grid
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 02:41 authored by Veryan HannVeryan Hann, Phillipa WatsonPhillipa WatsonCentralised electricity grids around the world are transitioning towards greater renewable distributed storage, and pivotal to transition is the relationship between prosumers and utilities. Evidence of this changing relationship is observed through a three-year (2016–2019) Australian smart grid pilot. This study investigates the precursors of technology acceptance of smart batteries, because a lack of acceptance presents risks to implementation. We draw on: scholarly literature, government documents, interviews and observations of the pilot implementation for a qualitative, exploratory, longitudinal and thematic analysis. We outline four findings: Firstly, we suggest a reframing of the influence of agency in IoT-systems: The concept of ‘behaviour’ might be conditionally substituted for ‘agency’ in the case of smart grids. Secondly, we reconfirm prosumers require different agency-focused engagement than is currently offered if private investment in batteries is to be encouraged. Thirdly, prosumers do not always desire increased agency – there is a trade-off between agency and trust under the duress of high system complexity. Finally, we extend a variation of the technology acceptance model (known as RITAM) to include Perceived Trust, Agency and Complexity in relation to smart grids, and note these acceptance precursors pose both a risk and an enhancer to smart grid implementation.
History
Publication title
Technology Analysis and Strategic ManagementPagination
1-15ISSN
0953-7325Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
RoutledgePlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupRepository Status
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