Title: Green ergonomics and green economics: the effect of feed-in tariff schemes on user behaviours and attitudes towards energy consumption

Authors: Robin Winslow Morris; Alex W. Stedmon; Alyson Langley

Addresses: Human Factors Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK ' Cultural, Communication & Computing Research Institute (C3RI), Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S1 2NU, UK ' Human Factors Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

Abstract: On 1 April 2010 the UK government introduced 'feed-in tariff' (FIT) legislation to provide incentives for small-scale renewable energy generation, particularly by residential home-owners. This paper investigates the existing knowledge base to consider if living in a property with on-site renewable energy generation may affect user attitudes and behaviours. This knowledge is interpreted from an ergonomics/human factors perspective whilst also addressing underlying economic issues. Suggestions are made as to what effects FIT schemes may have on public attitudes and where further research efforts should be focused. A key finding is that FIT schemes are likely to result in a shift in public behaviour, particularly towards reduced energy consumption but only if initiatives address fundamental issues of green ergonomics and green economics.

Keywords: feed-in tariffs; user attitudes; user behaviour; energy consumption; green ergonomics; green economics; UK; United Kingdom; small-scale renewable energy; residential homeowners; renewable energy generation; human factors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2012.051495

International Journal of Green Economics, 2012 Vol.6 No.4, pp.375 - 389

Published online: 12 Dec 2014 *

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