Research projects
Empowering Change: Tailored Narratives and Communication Strategies for Accelerating the Energy Transition
The project aims to develop innovative narratives and visualizations of the energy transition that resonate with everyday life, tailored as targeted communication strategies for end consumers. The primary objective is to enhance the active engagement of private households in the energy transition, with a specific focus on the 'buildings and housing' sector. This sector accounts for a significant portion of household-related primary energy demand, particularly in heating, hot water production, lighting, and electrical appliance usage. Traditional fact-based communication approaches have struggled to effectively reach the general public, often failing to translate information and motivation into tangible actions. To address this challenge, the project employs a multifaceted approach that includes media analyses, photovoice, design fiction techniques, and data networks. These methods are utilized to explore the interplay between citizens' living environments and actionable solutions.
The transdisciplinary team brings together expertise from communication, urban studies, design, engineering sciences, energy supply, as well as practical insights from Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf and Verbraucherzentrale NRW.
By leveraging diverse perspectives and collaborative efforts, the project aims to bridge the gap between knowledge dissemination and behavioral change, ultimately fostering greater participation in sustainable energy practices among private households.
Funded by: Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK)
Duration: 2023 - 2026
Project coordinator:Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Project partners: Energieversorgung Oberhausen, Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Hagen
