In the heart of Sub-Saharan Africa, a pressing challenge looms over the energy sector: rising residential electricity consumption and the consequent energy wastage. While smart building technologies have made strides, they alone aren’t enough to curb the alarming trend. Enter Kwabena Fosuhene Mosner-Ansong, a researcher from the Department of Civil Engineering at Kumasi Technical University, who has developed a novel approach to tackle this issue.
Mosner-Ansong’s work, published in the journal Discover Energy, which translates to ‘Find Energy’ in English, focuses on the often-overlooked aspect of household energy use: behavior. “We’ve been so focused on technological solutions that we’ve neglected the human factor,” Mosner-Ansong explains. “But if we want to make a real dent in energy wastage, we need to address both.”
The researcher’s solution is a two-tier integrated framework that combines force and motivation to drive behavioral change. This isn’t just about telling people to turn off the lights; it’s about understanding the dynamics of behavior in Sub-Saharan African households and creating targeted, effective interventions.
Mosner-Ansong’s journey began with a systematic review of existing behavior change theories. He identified nine key gaps in these theories, particularly in how they apply to the unique context of Sub-Saharan Africa. To fill these gaps, he consulted with stakeholders and experts, synthesizing 24 key catalysts for behavior change.
The result is the Building, Occupant, Appliances Nexus (BOAN) framework. This holistic approach integrates building technology, occupant behavior, and appliance efficiency, recognizing that all three elements play crucial roles in household energy use.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? For one, it signals a shift in policy focus. Instead of solely investing in technological interventions, energy companies and policymakers should consider combined behavioral and structural strategies. This could mean partnering with behavioral scientists to design energy efficiency programs, or investing in community initiatives that promote energy-saving behaviors.
Moreover, the BOAN framework offers a roadmap for developing targeted, effective energy efficiency programs. By understanding the unique dynamics of behavior in Sub-Saharan African households, energy companies can create programs that resonate with their customers, driving real, lasting change.
Mosner-Ansong’s work is a call to action for the energy sector. It’s a reminder that technology alone isn’t enough to solve our energy challenges. We need to understand and engage with the human factor, too. And with the BOAN framework, we now have a powerful tool to do just that. As the energy sector looks to the future, Mosner-Ansong’s research offers a compelling vision of how we can drive sustainable change, one behavior at a time.