Attitude survey Maria Rugina ICEMENERG-ROMANIA

Good practice An initiative which has already proved successful and which has the potential to be transferred to a different geographic area. Proved successful is where the good practice has already provided tangible and measurable results in achieving a specific objective.

Behavioral changes for increasing energy efficiency refers only to those changes stimulated by the authorities through: - Education and information campaigns; - Energy efficiency measures compatible with the principles of market economy that are willingly applied by consumers.

Public authorities play an important role in the development of energy policy measures meant to change consumers behavior so that to determine them to reduce energy consumption. Utilization of adequate energy policy measures has a great impact on the consumer behavior. The efficiency of the measures for determining behavior changes (including ICT technologies) depends on the context in which they are applied. In particular, it is difficult to presuppose that we will register changes in the energy saving behavior if the price of energy is subsidized. The energy distributors/suppliers, as well as the regulatory authorities, should get more involved in such actions.

The existence of modern energy consumption management systems for household appliances is obviously very important. Such systems are able to provide the population with the necessary information on consumption for optimizing it or can carry out certain operations themselves. The EU finances research projects for the development of such systems. Very interesting projects have been presented within our workshop. The ICT21 EE project can contribute to the dissemination of the good results that have been obtained.

Electronic metering of consumption and achievement of a real-time information exchange between the supplier and consumer is an important ICT technology aiming at increasing energy efficiency through changes in behavior. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ((COM(2008) 241 final) points out that, in Finland, energy savings of 7 % in the energy consumed in the residential sector have been obtained through real-time information of consumers on their consumption.

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