The Swedish Institute of Computer Science's (SICS) ERG project aims to raise awareness of energy use through the design of "unobtrusive and pleasing ambient displays [which are] visible at all times, rather than... fact-choked and complex graph[s] shown on request" [1].

As part of their research the SICS researchers worked with the Interactive Institute's Static! project team [2] to carry out interviews with different end consumers. Their findings showed that "consumers have a high level of awareness and a readiness to modify their behaviour but little knowledge and no equipment to act on" [1].

Several prototype devices were developed to encourage consumers make more informed decisions and reduce energy use. SICS's prototype kettle, for example, aims to control energy usage by informing the user of the short-term predicted power usage and letting the user to "book a time" for the appliance to run.

A video of the prototype kettle can be seen on the Swedish Institute of Computer Science's website: http://www.sics.se/projects/erg

For more information about the Swedish Institute of Computer Science's on-going research in this area read: Karlgren, J and Fahlén, L, Wallberg, A, Ståhl, O, Söderberg, J and Åkesson, K-P (2008) Socially Intelligent Interfaces for Increased Energy Awareness in the Home. In: Internet of Things, 26-28 March 2008, Zürich, Schweiz