The argument for the implementation of ‘smart’ metering, which is an elastic term, varies according to circumstance and place. In some countries, the business case for establishing an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) relies in part on improving consumption feedback to customers and assisting in the transition to lower-impact energy systems. There is an expectation that AMI will lead to reductions in both the demand and the cost to serve customers through improved communication, but little evidence exists to show overall demand reduction. To what extent might smart meters improve the prospects for customer engagement? To assess this question, end-user perceptions and practices must be considered along with metering hardware and economics. Using the theory of affordances, qualitative research is examined to understand how householders have used consumption feedback, with and without smart meters. Although AMI offers possibilities for household energy management and customer–utility relations, there is little evidence to suggest it will automatically achieve a significant reduction in energy demand. For that, there has to be a determined focus on overall demand reduction (rather than on peak electricity demand reduction), on designing customer interfaces for ease of understanding, and on guiding occupants towards appropriate action. Appropriate forms of interface, feedback, narrative, and support will be needed to reach diverse populations. Les arguments en faveur de la mise en œuvre d'un comptage «intelligent», qui est un terme souple, varient en fonction des circonstances et du pays concerné. Dans certains pays, le business case pour mettre en place une infrastructure de comptage avancée (AMI) s'appuie en partie sur une amélioration du retour d'information fourni aux clients sur leur consommation, et sur l'aide apportée pour passer à des systèmes énergétiques présentant un impact moindre. Il est attendu d'une AMI qu'elle conduise à la fois à une réduction de la demande et à une réduction du coût de desserte des clients grâce à des améliorations en terme de communication, mais il existe peu de données probantes à l'appui d'une réduction globale de la demande. Dans quelle mesure des compteurs intelligents pourraient-ils améliorer les chances de voir le client s'impliquer? Afin d'évaluer cette question, il est nécessaire d'examiner les perceptions et les pratiques des utilisateurs finaux en même temps que le matériel de comptage et les aspects économiques. En utilisant la théorie des affordances, l'étude qualitative est examinée de façon à comprendre comment les occupants ont utilisé le retour d'information sur leur consommation, avec et sans compteurs intelligents. Bien qu'une AMI offre des possibilités en matière de gestion énergétique des ménages et de relations client-fournisseur d'énergie, il y a peu de données probantes permettant de suggérer que cela assurera automatiquement une réduction sensible de la demande énergétique. Pour ce faire, il importe de mettre l'accent sur une réduction globale de la demande (plutôt que sur une réduction des pics de consommation électrique), sur la conception d'interfaces client faciles à comprendre et sur la fourniture de conseils aux occupants pour qu'ils prennent les mesures appropriées. Il sera nécessaire de disposer d'interfaces, d'un retour d'information, de descriptifs et d'une assistance aux formes adaptées pour pouvoir toucher des populations diverses. Mots clés: affordances, comportement, demande énergétique, gestion énergétique, retour d'information, ménages, logement, human agency, comptage intelligent

Residential electrical demand response (DR) offers the prospect of reducing the environmental impact of electricity use, and also the supply costs. However, the relatively small loads and numerous actors imply a large effort: response ratio. Residential DR may be an essential part of future smart grids, but how viable is it in the short to medium term? This paper reviews some DR concepts, then evaluates the propositions that households in cool temperate climates will be in a position to contribute to grid flexibility within the next decade, and that that they will allow some automated load control. Examples of demand response from around the world are discussed in order to assess the main considerations for cool climates. Different tariff types and forms of control are assessed in terms of what is being asked of electricity users, with a focus on real-time pricing and direct load control in energy systems with increasingly distributed resources. The literature points to the significance of thermal loads, supply mix, demand-side infrastructure, market regulation, and the framing of risks and opportunities associated with DR. In concentrating on social aspects of residential demand response, the paper complements the body of work on technical and economic potential

The idea of the smart home has been around for decades but smart homes (under most definitions) are extremely rare, although digital technology and automated appliances are commonplace in the more affluent regions of the world. This commentary argues that there are inherent difficulties with expectations for smart homes and with making them viable; and with definitions and roles of ‘users’ in smart systems. It considers what a smart home might be and the problems that smart homes might address, identifying two types of narrative in the smart-energy literature. One centres on the highly automated dwelling with integrated appliances, emphasizing state-of-the-art technology, convenience and, in some sense, efficiency. The second narrative type focuses more on system-level issues such as peak demand, ancillary services and the spread of microgeneration, and on selective applications of information and communication technology (ICT) to address these. Both raise questions about the identity of users, nature of control, boundaries of the home and ecological impact.