| Summary: | Feedback tools support electricity users within the Swedish residential sector to increase their knowledge of electricity and the electricity market as well as to become more aware of their electricity consumption, which in turn encourages a reduction and an increased flexibility of electricity use. The primary aim of this study is to identify and analyse how existing feedback tools can be improved, to ensure that they contribute efficiently to the achievement of the EU objectives congruent with a more sustainable energy system in 2030, emphasizing: greenhouse gas reduction, increased energy efficiency and an increased share of renewable energy. In order to reach the primary aim of this study, existing feedback tools have been identified and mapped and interviews with feedback tools providers have been conducted. The study is limited to three research areas: the practical functions of feedback tools, available technology and the use of feedback tools. The use of more efficient feedback tools will provide an increased success rate for energy management, which includes both behavioural changes and energy efficiency. According to the results from the interviews conducted for this study, an increased use and user frequency is important to utilise the energy management potential. Efficient feedback tools can be achieved by developing existing tool functions. The desired development aims to reduce the effort required of the user, promote immediate and continuous feedback and to increase usability. However, the study shows that in order to achieve maximum effect, adaptions to specific needs of the users have to be made. An increased efficiency may also be achieved with additional features to allow more flexible consumption and encourage further energy efficiency measures. The technical aspect is important in order to implement more efficient feedback tools. Existing techniques for data collection should be developed in order to reduce the effort required of the user, enhance the quality and resolution of the data and finally prevent technology limitations, hence enabling feedback tools to be used by all users.
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