scholarly journals Proposal and Implementation of a User-Centered Design Approach for Smart Grid Technologies: Example of the VERTPOM® Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Helios Raharison ◽  
Emilie Loup-Escande

Acting to preserve our planet as much as possible is no longer optional in today's world. To do so, Smart Grids within the framework of electrical networks - involving not only Distribution System Operators (DSOs), but also consumers in their Energy Demand Management (EDM) activity - represent an innovative and sustainable solution. However, the integration of Smart Grids into network management or into consumers' homes implies changes at several levels: organizational, social, psychological, etc. This is why it is essential to consider the human factor in the design of the technologies used in these Smart Grids. This paper proposes the integration of DSO operators and consumers within a user-centered evaluation approach in order to design Smart Grids that are sufficiently acceptable to users to enable Positive Energy Territories that produce more energy than they consume. This demonstration will be illustrated by the VERTPOM® project aiming at facilitating the use of renewable energies specific to each territory in order to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and make the territories less dependent on traditional energies, and thus make Picardy (in France) a Positive Energy Territory. This paper presents the user-centered evaluation approach applied to three technologies (i.e., the VERTPOM-BANK® supervision tool intended for DSO operators, the private web portal and the IBox smart meter intended for households) from the upstream design phase to the implementation of the technologies in real-life situations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Emilie Loup-Escande ◽  
Sophie Capo ◽  
Helios Raharison

The impact of human activities on the environment is no longer to be demonstrated today and concerns many fields. With a view to environmental protection, applied to global warming limitation and fossil fuels preservation, Smartgrids are currently emerging, especially, under the impetus of European and French legislation. In emerging technologies, end-user-related issues, articulated with the design process, continue to raise conceptual, methodological and operational questions. The perspective of complex sociotechnical systems is useful for Smartgrids and to underline the necessary multidisciplinary approach to design. Yet raised for decades, the articulation of multidisciplinary approaches in the design of complex systems still questions fundamental problems today. These questions are all more unresolved in the context of innovative technologies such as Smartgrids. The objective of this paper is to propose 1) a conceptual reflection applied to the design of these Smartgrids seen as emerging sociotechnical systems, and 2) a case study by illustrating with the VERTPOM project. On the one hand, we discuss four fundamental points in user-centered design of Smartgrids: we describe the legislative impulses for the rollout of smart metters and the emergence of Smartgrids, we highlight the supplier/consumer synergy that is essential for efficient energy management, we explain the importance of adapting systems to the wide public in domestic, professional and public situations in the context of consumer control of energy demand, and we address the issue of the more traditional field of supervision and control of complex dynamic processes by operators. On the other hand, we present the VERTPOM project aiming at developing a set of digital tools for energy management and energy efficiency in order to make a positive energy territory that produces more energy than it consumes by introducing the project and its actors and explaining how design acceptable Smartgrids for consumers and operators of energy suppliers.


Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yash Chawla ◽  
Anna Kowalska-Pyzalska ◽  
Widayat Widayat

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and is currently facing some challenges, such as pollution and a growing energy demand. One of the solutions to these problems is upgrading the electricity transmission and distribution system to avoid losses of energy, and encourage consumer engagement in energy saving as well as energy generation. The government of Indonesia has initiated projects for smart grids and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), but consumer awareness and willingness to accept these new technologies is still uncertain. This study focused on analyzing consumers’ knowledge and willingness to accept one of the key components in grid modernization, being smart meters (SM). An online questionnaire was used to record responses from 518 social media users from different parts of Indonesia. The analysis shows that, among social media users who are seen as early adopters of technology, there is certainly a lack of awareness about SM, but they are largely open towards the acceptance of SM. Based on the findings, we have also drawn recommendations for energy companies, which would help in raising consumer awareness, as well as acceptance of SM in Indonesia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 381-383
Author(s):  
Exodus Chun-Long Sit

AbstractThis contribution explores the reframing of promoting Astronomy as popular science, inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through STEAM Innovation, integrating science and arts, such as Astro-Music and Space Art, would be a case in point of forced association. It redefines our methodology of Astronomy education and encourages the engagement of teachers from other disciplines. Supporting with user-centered design thinking, this pedagogy contributes effectively to the interactive teaching for solving real-life problems related to Astronomy.


Author(s):  
Raul J. Martinez Oviedo ◽  
Zhong Fan ◽  
Sedat Gormus ◽  
Parag Kulkarni ◽  
Dritan Kaleshi

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Rhomita Sari ◽  
Ema Utami ◽  
Armadyah Amborowati

Business Placement Center membantu mengelola website alumni dalam memenuhi kebutuhan alumni salah satunya memberikan informasi mengenai lowongan pekerjaan. Website Alumni Amikom sudah memberikan informasi mengenai lowongan pekerjaan. Namun website alumni masih perlu ditambahkan fitur-fitur menu penunjang dalam mempermudah pencarian informasi pekerjaan yang sesuai keinginan pengguna. Penggunaan metode User Centered Design untuk mempermudah pengguna dalam menggunakan fasilitas yang ada pada website ketika mencari informasi lowongan pekerjaan dan pengguna berperan penting dalam setiap proses UCD. Dengan pendekatan User Centered Design diharapkan dapat menghasilkan tampilan dan fungsionalitas yang maksimal pada rancangan sistem yang dibangun sehingga sesuai dengan kebutuhan pengguna. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan yaitu observasi, wawancara dan kuesioner untuk mengetahui kebutuhan pengguna. Analisis dan perancangan menggunakan pendekatan User Centered Design dan implementasi perancangan sistem. Hasil penelitiannya adalah pengguna merasa nyaman dengan tampilan antarmuka website yang sudah dibangun, informasi yang disajikan mudah dipahami dan fitur-fitur menu sudah berhasil berjalansesuai fungsi.Business Placement Center help manage the website for the needs of alumnus one of them is to provide information on a vacancy. The alumnus website’s provides information about job vacancy. The website still need the support to facilitate the searching all the features the work in accordance with what the use. The method of user centered design to make it easy for users in the use of the existing facilities at the website while searching for information a vacancy and users play an important role in any proses UCD. User Centered Design approach is expected to produce the interface and functionality maximal built in the system so that in accordance with the need of users. Research methodology was by observation, interviews and quesionnaires to find out the need of users. Analysis and design using UCD approach and implementation of the system. The results of research is users feel comfortable with a display interface of website which have been built, the information is easily understood and menu features has been successfully run a function.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Airaj Firdaws Sadiq ◽  
Najib Rahman Sabory ◽  
Mir Sayed Shah Danish ◽  
Tomonobu Senjyu

Afghanistan hosts the Hindu Kush, an extension of the Himalaya mountains that act as water sources for five major rivers flowing through Afghanistan. Most of these rivers provide promise for the construction of water dams and installment of micro hydropower plants (MHP). Although civil war and political strife continue to threaten the country for more than four decades, the Afghan government introduced strategic plans for the development of the country. In 2016 Afghanistan introduced the Afghanistan National Peace and Development (ANPD) Framework at Brussels de-signed to support Afghanistan’s progress towards achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). This study discussed the 7th Goal (ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all) and 8th Goal (promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all) alignment in Afghanistan. The Afghan gov-ernment acknowledges its responsibility to provide electricity for all of its citizens, but this can only be achieved if the government can secure a reliable source of energy. Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain provides a challenge to build a central energy distribution system. Therefore this study looks for alternative solutions to the energy problems in Afghanistan and explores feasibility of micro-hydropower plant installations in remote areas. This study evaluated socio-economic im-pacts of micro-hydropower plants in the life of average residents. We focused on one example of a micro hydropower plant located in Parwan, conducted interviews with local residents, and gath-ered on-site data. The findings in this study can help policymakers to analyze the effects of devel-opment projects in the social and economic life of residents. It will encourage the government and hopefully the private sector to invest in decentralized energy options, while the country is facing an ever-growing energy demand.


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